Time to plan the summer flower garden

Actress Audrey Hepburn said, 'to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow'. Well, don't we all need that, and with spring around the corner, why not plan a flower-filled summer garden?

There is a huge variety of garden flowers that can be grown from seed. Far more than you will find in seedling trays at the garden centre. One of South Africa's oldest seed companies, Kirchhoffs provides heirloom varieties, that were grown for the vase, or to attract butterflies, or just because they are so easy to grow. Many dwarf varieties of sunflowers, salvia, marigolds and zinnia, as well as Nigella are great for containers too. All the instructions are on the seed packets. If you don't use all the seed, store the seed packet in a cool, dark place (desk drawer) and it will be fresh enough to sow the following summer, making it even more affordable.

It's so easy!

Find the right spot, based on whether the flowers you want to grow from seed need sun, semi-shade or shade. The seed packet will tell you.

Loosen the soil down to 30cm, break up any big clods of soil, remove large sticks and stones and add in plenty of compost. Compost improves fertility and drainage.

Rake the soil until it's level and the texture is fine, which ensures better germination. Water and leave overnight for sowing the next day when the soil is still damp, but not too wet.

Before you start sowing read the instructions on the back of the seed packet! It gives the depth of sowing, spacing, and what time of the year is best for sowing.

Good to know: Pets love newly dug over soil. Prevent them from digging by covering the bed with some twiggy branches, plastic mesh, or any other barrier that will still allow the seeds to germinate.

Sowing tip from Kirchhoffs

Scatter sowing is the usual method for sowing flower seed. Mixing the seed with vermiculite makes it easier to sow the seed evenly. Use your hands or a plank to press the seed into the soil, sprinkle soil lightly over it and firm down again. This prevents the seed from blowing away.

The one golden rule!

Don't let the soil dry out while the seeds are geminating. Using a fine nozzle, start watering away from the seedlings, swishing it over gently and finish watering away from the seedlings. The heavy drops at the beginning or end of watering can displace the seeds.

Easiest flowers to grow from seed

Asters are long lasting in the garden and in the vase. The tall varieties with showy double blooms (Super Giants mixed and Princess Mixed) come in shades of white, blue, peach, rose, crimson and purple. Single Rainbow is a mix of fragrant single flowers with yellow centres. It is an old fashioned garden favourite. Plants grow 60 to 70cm high and should be spaced 25cm apart.

Carnations are long lasting cut flowers with delightful fragrance and bright colours that are easier to grow than most gardeners think. Carnation Super Giant Chabaud is a mixture of large double flowers in a range of colours, many of which are sweetly scented. They can be sown year-round and grow to a garden height of 50cm.

Celosia produce masses of soft, feathery, long, plumes in glowing colours of scarlet, orange, bright yellow, pink, and cream. They should be planted in bold groups. They can also be used as cut flowers, for contrast in bouquets, and dry well. Sow in spring and summer. Plants grow up to 60cm.

Lavatera (also known as mallow) are tall, strong plants bear large, showy blooms of bright salmon pink, veined flowers throughout the summer. They self-seed easily and attract bees and butterflies. Sow in spring or autumn and space about 30cm apart. A colourful flower for borders and the veggie garden.

Nigella is an airy, romantic annual with long stemmed flowers. The seed packet variety is Nigella 'Persian Jewells' that is a colourful selection of red, rose, blue, violet and white flowers nested between ferny foliage and airy bracts. The seed pods are intriguing and often used as cut flowers. Sow in spring and summer. Plants grow up to 50cm.

Marigolds can be divided into tall African varieties and the dwarf French types. Tall African varieties provide bold masses of paeony-shaped large yellow, orange and gold coloured flowers. Dwarf varieties include 'Lemon Drop' that has canary yellow double flowers on compact 25cm high plants and 'Bonita Choice', a mix of yellow, red and bicoloured crested blooms on compact plants. Both types are great for gardens and containers in full sun.

Bright red Salvia brighten up any garden, and they bloom non-stop from early summer until winter. This dwarf bedding salvia is great for garden beds and patio containers. Plant in full sun.

Sunflowers are easy to grow "happy" flowers for any full sun position in the garden. An ideal garden sunflower is 'Dwarf Sunspot', a classic yellow sunflower, with big seed filled heads, on dwarf bushes.

Zinnias are one of the easiest flowers to grow. Great for kids. They come in a range of colours, and flower throughout summer. Water the soil freely during dry weather and avoid overhead watering. A popular seed packet variety is Zinnia Lucky Day Mixed, which has large dahlia-type flowers on strong, sturdy stems. It is a good cut flower.

Article Courtesy North Glen News / Caxton Newspapers / Alice Coetzee

01 Sep 2021
Author Caxton Alice Coetzee

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