So keen to get some fresh and bright colour into my garden, to see my tulips, daffodils (if they haven't already), and dahlias shine. I have a handful of Christmas lilies, my salvia bring the bees and my annuals, which only last that season, are wild and carefree.
If you were after the edible garden planting plan for September, head over here.
Check out what pretty flowers will be flourishing in my city garden this Summer in my September flower planting guide,
Plant | Sow | Begin Flowering (approx) |
Teddy Sunflowers - fluffy sunflowers highly recommend! | Direct & in trays | November |
All other sunflowers | Direct & in trays | November |
Sweet Pea | Trays | November |
Aster | Trays | December - January |
Poppies | Direct & in trays | November |
Zinnia | Trays | November |
Cosmos | Trays | October - November |
Calendula | Trays | October - November |
Centaurea | Trays | November |
Xeranthemum | Trays | November - December |
Hollyhock - technically a short-lived perennial | Trays | Following year |
All of the plants listed above, I will be sowing from seed. Most if not all will be done in seed trays on my covered/protected patio before hardening off fully outside.
Those seeds where I have specified direct sowing, I will 100% be sprinkling a combo of all them around certain patches of my lawn & borders. I must have dumped 3 or 4 packets of wild flowers in a patch last year and just wow. I highly, highly recommend. Maybe consider dedicating a small (or big) patch of your garden, or even a pot, to let your flowers grow wild. Think of the bees, if not for yourself. Sometimes flowers are just better that way.
On another note,
Some of these seeds are intended to be sown in New Zealand in late Spring (such as Aster), however, where I live I have a nice sunny and somewhat sheltered section so in my usual, typical fashion I'm going to give it a go early, because why not? I might just learn something along the way...
If you have limited seeds, maaaybe just stick to the correct growing times - you might have more success that way. Or start in trays indoors so you can be sure that they germinate and are able to be planted out when the weather is warmer and just generally much nicer.
As usual, what I will be keeping an eye on,
Lack-luster growth - seeds that are not germinating outside in my covered area I will move indoors.
Leggy growth - seedlings that grow tall but are not very strong - this means they need more light.
True leaves - the second set of leaves that appear are the plants 'true leaves'. It usually takes around 1-3 weeks for these to appear. Usually at this stage I start to harden them off, by leaving them outside on nice days and lightly bushing their leaves to promote strong growth.
If you think I have missed any plants off my list or have any tips/recommendations for this upcoming season, get in touch.
Nova Calendula for all the seasons, Sensation Cosmos, & Teddy Bear Sunflowers - pretty cute | February 2023