For many, sowing seeds is a routine that starts the gardening season in the spring. But did you know that in some plants there’s benefits, if the seeds are sown already in autumn instead of spring?
Why should you sow seeds in autumn?
In nature, seeds go through so called stratification. In autumn, the seed falls to the ground from the flower and it goes through a period of cold weather that triggers them to germinate in spring. Sowing your seeds in autumn stimulates this process.
When you sow the seeds in autumn, the seeds will be ready to germinate in spring when the weather gets warmer, and days will be longer and brighter. Therefore, your flowers will bloom sooner in spring. It also means you get to reduce the work of sowing all the seeds in spring, and you don’t have to fill all your indoors windowsills with seedlings!
Which plants are suitable for autumn sowing?
Not all the plants are suitable for sowing in autumn. Here’s a list of some flowers and herbs you can sow in autumn (but also in spring if you like).
Flowers:
- Pansy
- Marigold
- Cornflower
- Poppy
- Forget-me-not
- Daisy
Herbs & vegetables:
- Parsley
- Dill
- Oregano
- Carrot
What to take into consideration when sowing in autumn?
Make sure to sow the seeds in a place that doesn’t get too wet, and the soil is well draining too.
Timing is also important, as when sowing too early the seedling might start to grow and freeze once the weather gets cold. Therefore, most of the time, the best time to plant is right before the frost. If the winter is really cold, it is better to protect the seeds with a frost blanket or mulch. Otherwise, all you have to do is wait for spring and warmer weather to see the seedlings grow!
Tip! Save yourself from the struggle of guessing which seedling is which, by labelling the seeds and where you sowed them. It’s easy to forget that during the long winter.
Did you do autumn sowing but still miss gardening?
Try growing herbs and veggies indoors! Many herbs, such as basil, coriander and lemon balm can just be grown in a pot indoors, or in a hydroponic cultivator. If you want even faster harvest, try to grow some sprouts.
Happy gardening!