Flower seed sowing record for 2026

[Peanut]

A new year, a new thread. Here is last year's for reference The flower seed sowing thread 2025 - The Grapevine

A place to record all your lovely flower seed sowings for the year.

[Andraste]

I put some climbing Nasturtium seed to chit on 08 Feb (forgot we had a dedicated thread & posted in general 'seeds sown').

I've never chitted nasties before - normally I just put them in some compost & hope for the best - but I figured as I don't want many of these climbing ones & the seeds are quite hefty I'd chit them.

Anyway, I noticed yesterday that a couple have fine white fluff growing on them. My first instinct was 'oh well, they're rotting', but I'm also thinking that as they're quite dry & gnarly seeds it might be their natural way to break down the outer case so they can sprout.

Anyone watched nasties chit to know if I need to chuck mine & start again straight into compost?

[Peanut]

I have had big chunky seeds do that before, I can't remember which though. I wiped it off in some cases, just with my fingers and I think they went on to do ok. This is all a bit of a hazy memory, so could be complete nonsense!

[Andraste]

Thanks Peanut

I'm thinking they'd have done the same in soil but I just wouldn't have seen it happen. I have more seed if they don't sprout so as I'll be peeking at them every day (can't help myself), I'll see how they do

[Peanut]

Peeking every day is perfectly acceptable!

[Andraste]

Potted 7/10 with nice looking sprouts yesterday. I've left the other 3 seed to see if they chit out of curiosity more than anything.

[Containergardener]

Never tried chitting those. I had a load fail last yr on planting so may try this way.

[Andraste]

Seems to have worked ok for me CG The last 3 seeds are still sat in the tub & not looking like they're going to do anything but start to smell soon, but the ones I put into compost are already above the surface. Now I just need to hope that it's warm & light enough on my windowsill for them to carry on doing their thing (I woke to a covering of snow this morning).

[MelanieSW]

Sowed aquilegia today, have never tried to grow them from seed before. They are in a small tub with cover, I'll leave it out on the patio tub for a week or two as I read that they need it cool to get started. It'll then be moved into the enclosed porch.

[Mark Rand]

Sowed another pot of nemesia today, wrapped the pot in clingfilm and put it straight into the cupboard under the stairs on top of the network switch to keep it warm and dark.

[Andraste]

Put some French Marigold Red Cherry to chit today. I wouldn't normally chit them but they're old seed (good to the end of this year but an open packet). I've also put some more Climbing Nasturtiums to chit as although I have enough for me, I only have 2 spares & I promised my spares to someone (seems a bit mean to just give 2).

[Containergardener]

Today I have soaked /chitting my sweetpeas and am doing the same with Nasturtiums.

Sowed Rudbeckia, cornflower, calendula and antirrhinum.

[mothhawk]

Put some sweet peas to chit. they are home saved so I'm not sure if they will grow or not, I've never saved sweet peas before.

[Mark Rand]

Did the second variety of sweet peas in a seed snail.
Sprinkled the third attempt at nemesia on to some, hopefully properly, sterilised compost.
sowed a small row of lettuce seeds in between two rows of garlic,

[Andraste]

I've had 3/5 of the second lot of climbing Nasturtium seeds chit over the last few days so they've been poked into the tray with the others. Only a few of the French Marigolds have chitted so far so I'm holding out on putting them into compost until I have a few more (fingers crossed).

I'm not sowing Calendula this year as they seem to have nicely established themselves by self-seeding where I want them at the plot. I must have a look through the seed stash to see what's lurking as I feel a need for more flowers on the plot this year