Sowing & Growing

Sow indoors for surest results, March-June, 1.5cm (½”) deep, in a tray of compost. Water well and place in a cold frame, unheated greenhouse, or on a warm kitchen windowsill. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 21-28 days. Transplant individually, when large enough to handle, to 7.5cm (3″) pots. Always hold by a leaf, never by the stem. Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions, before planting out into well-drained soil, May-October, 60cm (2′) apart. Or, sow thinly, outdoors, April-July, in a seed bed, into finely-prepared, well-drained soil, which has already been watered. Thin seedlings to 5cm (2″) apart, before planting out to flowering position in autumn. Flowers: May-July, the following year.