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How to Grow Flowers from Seed
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How to Grow Flowers from Seed
33 lessons | 5 hours
Learn everything you need to know to be able to grow a vast array of flowers - from annuals to perennials to biennials - from seed. In this course you will discover the huge benefits of growing from seed and understand the process from end-to-end; from the key equipment you will need and the different plant groups to when to sow and germination principles. You will learn about the wide range of seed types and their varying sowing approaches, and be shown practical sowing demonstrations - both under cover and direct sowing.
“
Most people spend time creating the home they want indoors; for me, the house does not feel like home until I have put my stamp on the garden.
— Clare Foster
Billed annually
One time purchase

Lesson Plan
33 LESSONS / 5 HOURS
Meet Clare
Clare introduces herself and shares the story of how her passion for growing from seed began. She also explores reasons to try growing from seed and outlines what you will learn in the course.
What to consider before you start sowing
Discover the basics of getting started with seeds, including the different types of plants you can grow from seed, how to choose from the amazing variety on offer, and how to know how many seeds to sow.
Planning which flowers to grow
Clare explains the different groups of plants you can sow and when sharing her sowing calendar. She also explores her favourite colour themes, and how you can organise your thoughts to help you get started.
Planning a cut flower patch from seed
You don't need a lot of space to create your own cut flower patch. Clare takes us through how to plan and organise a cut flower bed, and how to choose what to grow in it.
An overview of the sowing and growing process
Clare delves into the different methods of sowing, how to ensure seeds are getting what they need to germinate, and what the next steps are to get your seedlings off to the best start.
The kit you'll need
There are a few key tools and pieces of equipment you might need to invest in to start your sowing journey. Clare introduces the essentials and the nice-to-haves to add to your collection.
What compost to use
The medium you use to sow your seeds in is important to make sure you're getting your seeds off to the best start. Clare shares her tips and experiences and explains the importance of peat-free.
Sowing hardy annuals - marigolds
Marigolds are an example of a hardy annual that's really easy to grow from seed. Clare takes us through the process of sowing a hardy annual with large seeds.
Sowing hardy annuals - Anchusa
Clare shares another method of sowing hardy annuals that will help to ensure success for smaller seeds.
Sowing hardy annuals - sweet peas
Clare shares a third easy sowing method that's tailored to this popular hardy annual that enjoys a long root run.
Sowing perennials - Echinacea
Growing perennials from seed needn't be daunting, and can save a lot of money. Clare takes us through the process and some of the easiest perennial plants to grow from seed.
Direct-sowing nasturtiums in early April
Learn how to prepare ground and direct sow outdoors, with the example of this popular and easy hardy annual.
Sowing half-hardy annuals in mid spring
Half-hardy annuals are generally from warmer climates and are sown a bit later than hardy annuals and perennials. Clare shares popular examples, along with the process and the value of hard-hardy annuals in the garden.
Aftercare for seedlings: pricking out and potting on
Separating out your seedlings into individual pots, known as pricking out, is a key step in nurturing your developing plants, and can be really satisfying. Clare discusses when and how to prick out.
Planting out cosmos into the border
Planting out at the right time and in the right way will really help your plants thrive. Clare shares her top tips, and how you can use half-hardy annuals such as cosmos to boost your borders.
Flowers in the border grown from seed
Clare introduces some of her favourite flowers for using in borders, such as dahlias, Ammi and Verbascum, and how to grow them from seed.
The cut flower patch in June
Seeing her cut flower bed coming to fruition, Clare reviews what she has learned, and how you can still enjoy an abundance of cut flowers even with very little space.
Tying in and picking sweet peas
Sweet peas are one of the most popular, easy and rewarding annuals to grow. Clare shares her growing and care tips to get the most from your plants, including why it's key to keep picking.
Sowing biennials
Clare introduces us to biennial plants, which include many cottage garden favourites, and explains when and how to sow them.
Planting up a container with seedlings
Clare explains how she uses her seedlings to plant up a pot for an impactful display in a small space, and what you'll need to get started.
The gravel garden: a different way to garden
As Clare shares how she created and maintains her gravel garden, we discover a totally different way to use plants grown from seed – and encourage plants to grow themselves from seed – for a dynamic and rewarding garden that stands up to drought.
Filling gaps in the dahlia border
We explore how the plants you grow from seed can be used to fill gaps and bring a border to life, and how Clare creates successional interest that lasts over the whole growing season.
Growing hollyhocks in the gravel
The hollyhocks that have naturalised in the gravel in front of Clare's house bring joy both to her and to passers-by. Clare shares how to grow this easy and rewarding plant for striking summer colour.
Filling pots with home-grown combinations
Clare explores how anyone can create a beautiful display in a small space, sharing some container planting inspiration and giving her top tips for creating impact and getting the most from your pots.
Using flowers grown from seed as companion plants
Clare shares how flowers grown from seed can be used in the vegetable patch to provide benefits for biodiversity and to other plants.
Poppy 'Amazing Grey'
Clare discusses one of her personal favourite annuals – a new, easy-to-grow poppy that has proved popular for its unique colouring.
Sourcing seeds: Chiltern Seeds
We go behind the scenes at Chiltern Seeds to discover where some of our seeds come from and the journey they go through to make it into seed catalogues, as well as current trends and favourites.
Collecting seeds: the theory
Clare introduces the easy and rewarding process of collecting your own seed, including which types of plant are likely to produce the best results, and some basic science behind seed 'trueness'.
Collecting seeds: what to look for before harvesting
Clare shares tips on how to find the best time to collect your seeds and discusses the diversity of seedheads you might come across.
Collecting seeds: harvesting and storing effectively
We learn when and how to easily collect our own seed, and how to store it to ensure it keeps for as long as possible.
Collecting seeds: harvesting later-flowering seeds
Clare explores why it's so worthwhile saving your own seed, and delves deeper into the collection methods she uses for different types of seed that ripen later in the year.
Planting out biennials in September
Clare explains the value of growing biennials along with recommendations for biennial plants to try, and shares tips on when and how to plant them out.
Final words
A farewell message from Clare to inspire you to go out and try growing from seed for yourself, and discover this wonderfully joyful and satisfying process at the heart of gardening.
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