Seed sowing & 'Pansies' book review

It's time to get sowing!

The sowing season is getting into full swing and my propagator is already very busy with a steady stream of seed trays. I’ve been starting off this year’s crop of cut flowers, as well as some tomatoes, which benefit from an early start and warmth to germinate.

Each year when I’m seed shopping I love to select a few favourites, those plants which I can rely upon for a good display or for lots of tasty fruit. I also choose some new varieties which look interesting, or have come highly recommended. I quite often note these throughout the growing season, compiling a wish list which becomes quite long by the time I’m stocking up on seeds again!

My seed packets - categorised into sowing months so I can keep track :)

I have a few go-to seed suppliers, including Chiltern, Kings Seeds, Sarah Raven, Thompson & Morgan and Plants of Distinction. This year I’ve also sourced sweet peas from the specialist Roger Parsons, and some very pretty cosmos and poppies from boutique growers Alma | Proust.

If y…