Sowing hardy annuals From Growing from Seed Preparing the site Ideally your site will have been dug over during the previous autumn or earlier in the spring before sowing; it will then be rich in compost or other organic matter. If you haven't been able to do this, or if you plan to sow amongst established plants, fork over well in spring taking the opportunity to dig out the roots of perennial weeds like couch grass, dandelions and bindweed. Try to choose a time when the soil is moist - but drying out. If the soil is very wet it pays to wait as your seeds will only rot in soggy soil. During this forking add an organic soil improver or grit if the soil needs improving. At the same time try and leave the soil finely broken up so that the tiny roots of the seedlings can easily come into contact with the soil particles.   It may seem strange but now you have to tread it. Go over the whole area once, putting your weight on the heels of your boots so that when you've finished the heel marks are side by side over the whole plot. Next the surface needs raking to level off neatly and provide a fine seed bed. Rake once, removing large stones and other debris and when it's fairly flat, you can rake in some fertiliser. Any general fertiliser is suitable, it's usually raked in at about a handful - 2oz (60gm) - per square yard (metre) but check the instructin on the pack. Finally, rake the soil again and this second raking will mix some of the fertiliser into the top layer of soil and leave it fine enough for sowing. Back to Sowing hardy annuals Soil and situation Sowing the seed Annual Manual ©copyright 1999 Graham Rice. All Rights Reserved. All Images Digitally Watermarked.