Starting Now - Annuals

I've not had any chance to do anything with the garden yet but would like borders and hanging baskets so will probably use annuals (I want them to flower this year and for maximum colour)

But am I best off buying plugs (or jumbo plugs) now? Or would I be better off starting from seed indoors?

If plugs (which would be easier) can you give recommendations where to get them from - sounds like Thompson and Morgan are v.poor, I got stuff from another big national company in the past (forget which one) and thought their stuff was quite poor - is all of the national delivery stuff very poor? I had an idea of £100 for the plugs I would need for both borders on a medium size garden.

As I need quite a lot of area covering my local fruit and veg won't have the variety or quantity and local garden centres are likely to be expensive (though I could look)

If some-one could give a time-scale of buying - potting on etc that would be useful as well. i.e. if I buy plugs now it sounds like I should re-pot as soon as I get them - how long would it be until I start hardening them then planting? I'm in the Midlands but I would think another 2 weeks or so and we should be past any frost?

 

I dont think that there is a straight answer here to be honest, it all depends what it is you want to grow. I have found T&M to be one of the better sellers, but I tend not to buy plugs because I am tight.

Cost and choice is probably the biggest factor. There is a nursery near me that sells a stray of 24 Pelargoniums for about £3.50, T&M would probably charge in the region of £15 for the same. However, Mail order companies will be offering plants that aren't readily available in Garden Centres, nurseries or as seed so they do have a place.

Frost-wise, its not until mid-late May that you can be confident that we have seen the last of them. BUT, where I live, its been over a month already, HOWEVER, the nights are still pretty cold and many of the more tender annuals will be held back.

Maybe put together a list of plants and then seek detailed advice?

 

I can try a local nursery first and see what they have, im not sure what plants i want yet but looking for easy to grow and colorfull! Ive bought a lot of bulbs from wilcos yesterday as they seem to do well ive a lot of dalias so hopefully that will reduce the amount of annuals I need.

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I'm not averse to buying annuals from B&Q. I think as long as they look strong and healthy, there shouldn't be a problem. The only downside I've noticed as that they don't always come 'true' to the illustration on the label, but if you can see them in flower, all is well

 

I think I speak for both @Beckie76 and myself, when I say this one word: Aldi

 

Oh @LyndaG 'Aldi' is the word , I know I keep saying it but their plants are so good .
@Freddy, I bought some rather lovely stocks from the B&Q a few weeks ago, they are doing really well, but they came in a seed tray (obviously) but the plants roots were sort of wrapped in what I'd call a tea bag!? Do you know what I mean? Have you seen them? I'd never seen plants sold like that before!

 

Allegedly the roots are meant to grow through the (coir I think) bags. But having pulled up my geraniums which were from there (reduced!) I found not many roots had grown through. Not convinced.
It's so they can sell in flat trays and not pots- energy and money saving I guess...

 

I always feel sorry for the poor plants in Aldi - unless you get them in the first couple of days they tend to die because they don't water them.

 

Hiya Beckie, sorry I didn't come back sooner.

Yes, I've seen them, although not often. I guess the idea is that the roots should grow through the bag, assuming they are biodegradable. I suppose it makes them easier to handle/process for the plant supplier?