What Hardy Annual Flowers to Sow in Autumn for Earlier Spring Blooms
Sowing next season's flowers seems very far away when we're enjoying our beautiful blooms at the height of summer, but did you know that late August is a fantastic time to get your hardy annuals going? By sowing now, you can look forward to earlier, stronger flowers in spring, and with the right planning, we can have colour in the garden from March through to October.
Why Sow Hardy Annual Flowers in Autumn?
The soil is much warmer in late summer, meaning that hardy annual seeds will germinate quickly. Your seedlings will have time to develop nice strong roots before the weather cools, when their growth will slow down. This process will make your plants more resilient, and as soon as the days start to lengthen in spring and the ground starts to warm up, your hardy annuals will resume growing. You will get much earlier flowers than you would from a spring sowing, and you will have bigger, healthier, more productive plants.
Hardy annuals can cope with colder temperatures, though they may need a bit of protection from hard frosts. Horticultural fleece can be a great way of giving your seedlings that extra bit of warmth they need to keep them safe and healthy.
When Should You Sow Hardy Annual Flowers in Autumn?
The late summer / early autumn sowing window for hardy annuals is late August through to late September, though you can push it to early October if the weather is still warm. Sweet Peas also class as hardy annuals, and can be sown right through to October.
The Best Hardy Annual Flowers to Sow in Autumn
There are so many wonderful hardy annuals to choose from that it can be hard to decide what to sow. Here are some of our favourite varieties that are perfect for autumn sowing:
Cottage Garden Favourites
Elegant Cut Flowers
Pollinator-Friendly Flowers
How to Sow Hardy Annual Flowers in Autumn
Hardy annuals are mostly happy to be sown direct, either broadcast or sown in drills. However, you can also sow them into modules and plant the tiny seedlings out by the end of September if you prefer. Some people also like to keep the modules moist over winter in a greenhouse and then plant the seedlings out in early spring. You want to keep the soil damp if you’re doing this, but make sure that you don’t overwater.
It’s really important that you check the cultivation advice for individual varieties before deciding how to sow your autumn hardy annuals, as some varieties like Nigella and California Poppies prefer to be sown direct.
