How to sow hardy annuals

By contrast, when seeds are sown into fine, crumbly soil, the shoots are able to push straight up and out into the light. As a rule, the larger the seed, the more energy reserves it contains and the coarser the soil texture it can cope with.

In this video No Fuss Guide, David Hurrion shows you how to sow a variety of hardy annuals including cornflowers and calendulas in a bare patch of ground. The result is a patchwork of colourful flowers that will bloom for months.

You Will Need

• Fork
• Rake
• Trowel
• Hardy annual seed
• Line and reel

Step 1

Prepare the bed before sowing on a dry day. Break down any large clumps using the back of a fork, and remove any weeds and rake the soil to a fine tilth. Remove any lumps of earth and large stones that may hinder the progress of emerging seedlings.

Step 2

Create drills using a trowel. Neat rows of seedlings are much easier to weed, so create straight drills, using a line and reel, or attach a length of string to a cane at either end of the row.

Step 3

Water the soil lightly before sowing, using a watering can with the rose attached.

Step 4

Space the seeds according to the instructions on the packet. Tip them into your hand, then sow them individually or in small pinches, rather than pouring directly from the packet. Lightly cover wth soil or leave the seeds on the surface, depending on the instructions on the seed packet.