Seed is much cheaper than buying plants, but you will need to plan ahead. Autumn sowing allows seeds to be sown fresh, and to have their dormancy broken naturally by winter chilling (stratification). Germination usually follows next spring. Here's what to do now
- Collect remaining seed from trees, shrubs and perennials in your garden.
- Sow tree seeds such as oak, beech or maples in pots or seed beds outside. Remove the fleshy berry from the seeds of Sorbus; this inhibits germination.
- Sow freshly-collected perennial seeds that lose viability with storage, such as Aconitum, hellebores, and many Meconopsis.
- Sow alpines, for example Saxifraga, Aquilegia and Androsace.
- Bear in mind seed from named cultivars is unlikely to come true to type.
- Join the RHS for access to the seed distribution list, or join a specialist group such as The Alpine Garden Society and Hardy Plant Society.