Last year, I sowed some hardy annuals in mid September which provided some early flowers this year.
This bed provided cut flowers from the middle of May.
Following this success my intention was to repeat the exercise this September. I had some annuals seeds left over from this year's sowings and I bought a couple more varieties to add to them.
As regular readers will be aware, this month our plot visits have been very restricted and when we have managed to get there we have mainly concentrated on harvesting.
With September being more or less written off, a change of plan was called for. In the past I have sown annuals in modules and planted them out. Planting out in October will not be ideal but it was this way or nothing,
My target date for sowing was 15 September. I sowed the seeds in modules on 16 September just a day later than last year. The modules are bigger than those that I have used for annuals in the past as I want the seedlings to develop a reasonable root system before planting out.
I sowed, a mix of cornflowers, Shirley poppies, godetia, larkspur and nigella. The modules have been left outside on patio tables to try and give a little protection from slugs and snails,
Most germinated quickly after about eight days.
The danger is that the seedlings will be washed away as we have had some heavy downpours since I sowed them.
I'm not expecting these to produce plants as strong as last year but still they have a better chance of growing than they did in the seed packets.
On the plot the annual bed sown back in May is still looking colourful
The second annual bed that I sowed in mid June is also flowering and providing some cutting material.
The newly refurbished perennial bed has done far better than I imagined when back at the end of May it looked like this.
It started flowering in June and has continued to provide cutting material ever since.
It's now battered but not beaten. I wonder how the chrysanthemums will fare?
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Love the colours in the second cutting bed, and the perennial bed is looking brilliant. Love the dark red cornflowers too - Black Ball? It's one of my favourite flower colours.
ReplyDeleteThe vase of cornflowers were just from a pack of mixed colours, CJ. The dark pink wasn’t as dark as Black Ball which I do grow and have some in this year’s sowing
DeleteSuch bright colors especially the cornflower blue. A nice selection of old fashioned flowers. So graceful. None of those modern neon colors on short, stiff stems.
ReplyDeleteI really like the cornflower blue too, Jane
DeleteBeautiful! You're so organised! I don't think I'll ever get my flowerbed to look as beautiful as yours, but I'll try again next year!!
ReplyDeleteOrganisation has gone to pot for now, Belinda.
DeleteEvery year we have to improvise in one way or another - some years more than others! Your flower beds still look amazing. You have reminded me that I should really be cutting and enjoying some of our flowers indoors as pretty soon, the frost will do them in.
ReplyDeleteJust one early frost and the dahlias will be knocked back, Margaret
DeleteYou've given me a thought. I have several packets of seeds and two empty raised beds. I might follow your lead and sow them now. It's always good to have some pretty flowers to look at when the weather is miserable.
ReplyDeletePop them in, Deborah - what's to lose?
DeleteEveryone needs a plan B. I hope you both soon recover from your health problems.
ReplyDeleteOften plan C,D and E too Brian. Martyn is the one with health problems so I’ll pass on your message. Thanks.
DeleteI'm sure they'll still do well for you. Your cutting beds are looking great still, you must be really pleased with them. Hope everything's okay with you.
ReplyDeleteI hope so, Jo but I’m expecting weaker growth. It can’t be helped though. Things are unfortunately not too good at the moment. They only thing to hold on to is that things could be worse,
DeleteI'm sure plan B will be a success, those seedlings have shot up. I do hope Martyn soon recovers from whatever ails him. xxx
ReplyDeleteWe hope so too, Dina.
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