Going to seed [January 2005]
Gardening at this time of year is a bit boring - yes you can weed and tidy during dryish periods, double dig [if you feel so inclined] and appreciate individually those plants that decide to put on a spirited if muted show. The real excitement to be had is sitting indoors with seed catalogues planning what to grow in the coming year [for a gardener this is as tempting as a big box of chocolates].

Some years I am methodical in my choices, I look up the names I don't know in reference books and on web sites. Long lists of wants are shortened and shortened again depending on the state of my finances. In other years I rely mainly on the serendipity of the garden society seed lists which are very cheap, if not always completely reliable as to naming - and that is part of the fun.

Big seeds are always fascinating and children get a kick out of seeing them sprout mightily. I remember school biology lessons and the humble runner bean sprouted on wet blotting paper in a jar - very satisfying but I can't remember what the lesson was. Looking at the fine dust of other seeds I wonder how on earth all that growth erupts in one season, so much energy from such little specks.

Those who grow hundreds of bedding plants every year are to be admired, so much work for an effect that lasts relatively few months, I couldn't do it. I am an inveterate early sower, the itch to see growing things in winter tempts me to start some seeds off in January. Sadly sowing too early [unless you have lots of light and somewhere to keep growing plants cosy] leads to thin stringy seedlings which often just wither away, so if you are like me, remember to keep some seeds in reserve for the 'proper' time.

Growing from seed is all about new discoveries and last year I invested in Barnhaven seed, they are one of the few suppliers of very old fashioned primroses with ruffs and flowers within flowers. Barnhaven don't promise all the plants grown from seed will be the old fashioned type and so far 2/14 are not, but I await with excitement April, when the rest will flower and I hope that some at least will be beautiful and in the old style that harks back to the Elizabethans.

One of the most satisfying from seed in 2004 was Dianthus superbus 'Spooky' from Chiltern Seeds, sown and flowering in the same year, the flowers got many comments at one of the plant sales I attended. Another that flowered in 2004 that was sown in 2003 was Echinacea paradoxa which is not often seen, it has yellow flowers [which last for ages] rather than the more usual purple or white.

This year I am sticking mainly with the garden society seed lists as I am feeling impoverished, although I have been tempted by Plant World seeds. Their seed is fresh and generally germinates well but with variable results [mainly positive though]. Aquilegia 'Roman Bronze' sown in 2003 and flowering in 2004 was a bit wayward in reality but I did get a proportion of golden-bronzed leaves amongst the green leaved plants, and variable flower colour, but aquilegia are by nature promiscuous, so enjoy.

Growing plants from seed is very rewarding, both instant success in one year and seeing other plants and trees grow and flower a few years on. I look upwards sometimes into the branches of trees I have grown from seed and think, I grew that - how amazing.

My monthly gardening column from The Bath Magazine - Bath's best local magazine for events, listings, news and views. Whether you live in and around Bath or are visiting us, it's a great source of local information.

Links:
Barnhaven - www.barnhavenprimroses.com
Chiltern - www.chilternseeds.co.uk
Cottage Garden Society - www.thecgs.org.uk
The Hardy Plant Society - www.hardy-plant.org.uk
Plant World - www.plantworld-devon.co.uk