When to sow outside

Hello everyone.

I took over my first garden at the height of summer last year and did lots of planting and asked for lots of advice on here. You were all very helpful!

I haven't got any experience with gardening in winter/early spring so am looking for some advice again. I bought some seeds reduced to clear at the end of last year and would like to sow them straight outside.

I've got nowhere to sow them inside. I grew some seedlings on a windowsill over summer. They took forever and when they started to show some progress, they got knocked off the windowsill and all over my floor so I'm giving up sowing inside!

I haven't got a greenhouse or a shed - but I've got an old outhouse (old outside toilet) with no light or shelves. No airing cupboard either.

I'm confused because all the packets say different things for when to plant them.

When should I sow:

• mixed bright flowers for wildlife (this is what the wilko packet calls them!)
• cosmos
• nasturtium
• salvia
• dahlia
• aster

Sorry for the long list!

I've also just bought some Chinese Lanterns which just look like a bit of root in soil. When should I plant them out? Packet says Feb-April but it's so frosty at the mo! Can I put them in the same pot as my tulips so they will be showing when my tulips aren't?

Thanks so much for any help!

 

I think you can plant the chinese lantern when ever you like, but wait until the frost has gone.
Best in the open ground.

Of the seeds I'd only be inclined to direct sow Nasturtium in April.

The others really need to be grown in seed trays or pots for a while first in a protected environment.
Dont really think the old outside toilet is suitable for raising seedlings, and window sills are your best option.

 

Thank you!

The reason I was thinking of the pot is because I believe Chinese Lanterns spread a lot?

 

It does rather depend on where in the country you are and what species of seed that you've bought.

If they're happy they can spread but if they're not happy they will disappear without trace. They dislike very wet soils and soils that dry out quickly.