Seeds require the right conditions or they will fail to germinate. Germination is triggered by soil temperature, soil depth, moisture and some seeds require stratification which is a period of chilling prior to sowing. This table is a quick and easy guide to sowing flower seeds.
Some seeds require sunlight to germinate, which has been listed as ‘surface’. Sprinkle the seeds on the surface, but gently push them down so that they don’t disperse in the wind. When sowing seeds that require a light covering of soil, add some soil or potting mix to an old kitchen sieve and gently sprinkle over the seeds.
Related: Flower height, position and bloom time
Many seedlings are frost-tender, and should only be planted once the risk of frost has passed, which is generally past Easter in the Northern Hemisphere. For those of us in warmer climates such as Australia, we can sow seeds much earlier.
Stratification refers to a period of cold that breaks dormancy. Gardeners can either sow in autumn so they will undergo stratification in the environment, or place seeds in a refrigerator and sow in spring. For those of us in a warmer climate, it is best to stratify in the refrigerator and plant in spring.
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Julia is a writer and landscape consultant from Wollongong with a love of horticulture. She had been an avid gardener for over 30 years, collects rare variegated plants and is a home orchardist. Julia is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of plant propagation and plant toxicology. Whether it’s giving advice on landscape projects or sharing tips on growing, Julia enjoys helping people make their gardens flourish.
