9 hours Ago By Lotti OBrien
With spring underway, seed-sowing should be in the full swing across the UK by April. With the weather getting milder and gardens filled with bees and butterflies, there is no better time to get planting ahead of Summer. Gardening expert Fiona Jenkins at MyJobQuote explains which seeds are best sown this month for bountiful summer blooms and harvests.
Aster is a genus of perennial flowering plants which range in colour from white to blue to purple. Early spring is the ideal time to plant asters as it gives them the best part of a growing season to establish before they flower. They are best placed in full sunlight and in rich, fertile soil that will hold plenty of moisture through the spring and summer months.
Basil is extremely frost-sensitive and grows best in warm climates. It can be sown outdoors once the temperatures begin to warm up. Sow seeds in a sheltered, warm, and sunny area with plenty of free-draining soil or in a container of multi-purpose compost.
Basil seeds can be sown indoors if temperatures are too low before planting outside in late spring/early summer. Beetroot is a popular and easy-to-grow crop which takes up very little room so is ideal for growing in smaller spaces. Sow small batches regularly from spring through to mid-summer for continuous harvests up to mid-autumn.
Ensure that you water seedlings regularly during dry spells, until they are well rooted and growing strongly. Carrots should be sown directly outdoors, as transplanting can disturb the roots and lead to forked or distorted carrots. The main sowing season for these vegetables is from April to early July, and it is a good idea to sow small batches every three to four weeks for continuous harvests.
The crop is best grown under an insect-proof mesh to keep away carrot flies, slugs, and snails. Cornflower plants are best grown in sun and well-drained soil, with the seeds sown directly into weed-free ground or pots during spring. Once seedlings have formed and been thinned out, little further care is needed aside from deadheading the resulting flowers to encourage more blooms.
French Marigolds can be sown directly outside in April to May. Sow seeds in a weed-free bed in a sheltered sunny site, pressing them into soil and watering with a fine spray. Germination generally takes around 5-14 days.
Peas are easy to grow from seed in spring and early summer, either directly outdoors or indoors for an early start. When planting outside, choose a sunny and sheltered growing site with well-drained soil. Peas generally prefer cooler weather, and seeds will grow well in cool spring conditions.
Sunflowers can be sown from March to June, best protected with a fleece if there is any risk of frost. Set up your seedbed in a sheltered sunny site, as sunflowers do not like strong winds or shade, and ensure that it is free from weeds. It is a good idea to mulch around the plants to keep them moist and prevent weeds.
Tomatoes can be sown indoors from the end of January if you have a heated propagator, otherwise it is best to wait until March or April. Wait until the last frost has passed and plant them outside in a sheltered, sunny, and moist spot. Tomatoes are heavy feeders and will need fertile, well composted soil as well as weekly feeds with a potassium rich fertiliser.
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