Growing from seed without a greenhouse or window sills

[WellTidy]

Having spent way too much on perennials that are garden ready over the last couple of years, I would like to give growing from seed a go. I have realised that I don't have enough colour after, say, July, so I would like to grow thalictrum, verbena bonariensis, cosmos, lots of different echinacea, echinops and astrantia. And possibly penstemon.

Problem is that I don't have window sills (mostly sash windows) and I don't have a greenhouse.

Is there any way round this please? I have never grown from seed before. I've seen propagators, but I didn't think that these would be warm enough for outside use.

Have you got a sunny larger window or maybe some patio doors? You could then use shelving near them to progate upon.

Pre greenhouse, I’ve grown seeds in one of those small plastic greenhouses from Wilkos. Start them in spring they’ll be fine. They germinate a little later than indoors, but soon catch up.

I will do that then Bee - would I cover them inside the plastic thing, or is the plastic cover enough? And when you say to start them in spring, do you mean March or more like May (after last frost)?

I’ve just covered them with the plastic cover, although a covered propagator might also be an idea for the earlier ones. Some seeds germinate in the cold and can be sown in February. The back of the seed packet is the best indicator. They should be frost free in the little greenhouse.
They do need careful monitoring as they can dry out quickly. If the soil surface looks dry, I spray with water.
Have fun seeing what grows successfully, I’d add antirrhinums and Mimulus to your list, they germinate well and give long lasting flowers, as long as you dead head them.

It's fiddly watering inside the little greenhouses but if you use the seed trays with clear plastic lids it keeps the water in so you don't need to water too much.

The other thing with the little greenhouses is that they can blow over in strong winds, putting a couple of bricks or similar on the bottom shelf to weigh it down helps stop that happening.