With the recent cold weather keeping us many of us indoors, gardeners will no doubt be itching to get outside and start preparing for spring.
However, it is important not to rush things when it comes to sowing seeds. Don’t let your enthusiasm get the better of you, as the last thing you want to do is start growing flowers when the ground is not suitable.
You need to wait until the ground is clear of frost before starting to sow, as Alys Fowler pointed out her in recent gardening column for the Guardian. Unfortunately, with icy temperatures sticking around for longer than usual this year, this may mean that you have to give the garden a little bit more time before kicking things into gear.
Once the threat of frost is no longer a concern, you can get on with scattering some seeds. Fowler recommends the pot marigold, also known as Calendula officinalis, because they “flower till they drop and their petals make an edible garnish”.
This type of flower is therefore ideal if you want something that looks great in the garden, but also has a practical use. “Pot marigolds are tough plants that don’t mind poor soil, a lack of water, or even too much, as long as the soil is free-draining,” Fowler explains.
You’re likely to need a cultivator or tiller to make sure your garden’s soil is in the best possible condition for planting seeds, particularly after the long, harsh winter we’ve endured in the UK.
We stock a range of options at MowDIRECT, including the new Mountfield Manor Compact 36 Cultivator. Priced at just £229 including VAT, this compact and lightweight petrol tiller is ideal for small and medium-sized garden spaces.
Alternatively, the Einhell BG-MT 3360-LD, with 60cm tilling width, is perfect for larger gardens or allotment work. This machine is priced at £299.95 including VAT.
