I have been given lots of seeds and don't know what to do!

[WonderingStar]

I have many packets of seeds for various flowers, mainly hardy annuals & perennials.

The packets all say sow Jan-Mar but they talk about propagators and keeping at 15-20C before planting out. I haven't the room to do this, and I don't own a propagator. Can I just sow the seeds straight into the ground or pots once the weather outside is approaching 15C? Or will that not work?!

If I sow them outside now, presumably the ground will be too cold and nothing will happen?

[LoveInAColdClimate]

Have you got windowsill space to grow them on window sills for a bit? You can improvise a propagator with a seed tray and some kind of clear lid (like fruit punnets turned upside down). Hope that helps a bit! I have had to start only buying seeds that can go straight into soil as we don't have a greenhouse and my window still are full!

[taffetasplat]

Have a good look at what it says on the seed packets, as some resent being transplanted, eg Nigella, as a hardy annual is best sown direct into the ground.

Other seeds are better started off indoors, as they will only germinate once its a certain temperature, hence the propagator. A normal pot on a warm windowsill will normally suffice, unless it says to exclude light until its germinated, in which case put in your airing cupboard.

Another method of increasing humidity and warmth is to tie a see through plastic bag without holes in over the flowerpot you've sown in.

One important thing to remember is that if you do swoe and raise the seedlings indoors, make sure they acclimatise to the outside gradually before you plant them out eg if you plant out wee seedlings on a warm day in March and there's then an overnight frost, they will all die. You need to stick them outside during the day for a few weeks first.

HTH