Outdoor direct sowing (most common in UK gardens)

• Sow March to June once the soil is workable and warming up. This gets flowers in summer of the same year.

• You can also sow in September/early autumn — seeds will overwinter and usually flower earlier the following summer.

Indoor sowing (optional)

• Sow Feb–Apr in trays/seed modules under cover, transplant out after frost risk has passed.

🌞 Site & Soil

• Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil — candytuft dislikes very wet conditions.

• A fine, weed-free seedbed helps tiny seeds make good contact with soil.

✍️ How to Sow

Direct outdoor sowing:

1. Prepare soil: remove weeds, rake to a fine tilth.

2. Sow very shallowly: about 3–6 mm deep (lightly cover or just press in).

3. Spacing: thin seedlings later to ~15–30 cm apart depending on variety.

4. Water: keep moist but not waterlogged until established.

Indoor sowing (optional):

1. Sow into seed compost trays 2–3 mm deep.

2. Warmth: keep at ~15–20 °C until germination (2–3 weeks).

3. Transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed.

🌼 Aftercare & Flowering

• Germination usually takes ~2–3 weeks, but timing can vary with weather.

• Water regularly until plants are established.

• Thin/space out seedlings so they don’t crowd.

• Flowers appear late spring through summer (May–Sept/Oct) with spring sowing; autumn sown plants often bloom earlier.

💡 Tips for Success

• Succession sowing: sow every 2–3 weeks in spring/early summer for a longer display.

• Avoid very cold, wet soil — seeds may rot rather than germinate.

• Seeds can sometimes self-sow if conditions suit