
It’s February and you’re thinking about what to plant in your garden this year. Perhaps you’re hoping for a bit more colour or to attract more bees and butterflies? But you also don’t want to spend a fortune – cost of living and all that...
Let me recommend one must have plant that I absolutely would not be without. It’s such a good doer, flowering for months on end and beloved by a huge range of wildlife – cosmos!
And if you start planning now, you can save some serious money by growing these from seed yourself – and don’t worry if you’re a gardening beginner, these are one of the easiest plants to grow from seed.
But first a quick look at those savings. 100 cosmos seeds will be about £1.89, but plug plants cost around £8.99 for 5. And if you leave it too late you may end paying around £5 just for one plant. OK maybe you don’t want 100 plants, but you might want 20 – that’s a saving of at least £34! Plus you can use the leftover seeds the following year – another £34 saved.
February is still a bit early for sowing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find and buy your perfect seeds now, so you can get off to a flying start in March.
OK, you’re sold. So how do you grow them?
Growing from Seed:
Timing: Start indoors in March or April to maximize flowering season.
Sowing: Use seed trays or modules with good compost. Sow seeds shallowly (3mm) and water well.
Germination: Maintain warmth (16-21°C). Seedlings typically emerge within 30 days.
Transplanting: Once seedlings have two pairs of leaves, pot them up individually.
Harden off: Acclimate them to outdoor conditions before planting out in late May or June after frost risk has passed.
Where to put them:
Borders: Plant them in well-drained soil and full sun for optimal growth and flowering.
Pots: Compact varieties are ideal for containers on patios or balconies.
Bonus: Cosmos make excellent cut flowers, lasting 7-10 days in a vase.
Tips for more flowers:
Pinching: When seedlings have 3 true leaves, pinch out the growing tip to encourage branching and more flowers.
Deadheading: Regularly remove spent blooms to prolong flowering.