How do you grow from seed if you don't have a greenhouse or window sills?

[WellTidy]

I realised last summer that I didn't have enough summer flowering perennials, so I hope to remedy that this year. I am hoping that the many salvias I bought will not be lost as we have had such a mild winter so far.

I have decided on echinacea, verbena bonariensis and cosmos. Rather than go to the garden centre and spend a small fortune (beds are quite deep), I would like to try and grow from seed. But how to do this without a greenhouse or window sills (sash windows)? What would I need to buy, and would it be worth it?

You can sow cosmos outdoors - obviously will flower later than if they're started inside, but maybe do a few indoors and the rest of the pack outside?
Same applies to quite a few other things eg sweet peas.

Errol would i do that in a seed tray? I am assuming that I wouldn't be able to direct sow into beds? (Obvious novice when it comes to seeds!!)

Do you have a utility room at all? I used a shelf in there last year, but have now moved and have same issue as you. I'm looking at rearranging space in the bathroom for some stacked shelving...but worried it will be too damp.

Some things can be sown directly into beds (nigella for instance). Others could be but might get off to a better start in seed trays or pots - larger seeds like cosmos and sweet peas can be sown one or two to a small pot.

Spend a bit of time reading the back of seed packets - they usually have pretty clear indication of how and when to sow.

Having said that, there are some plants which are better self-sown - I've never managed to get a foxglove to grow from a packet but have loads now from buying a few plants years ago.

Great news about the cosmos. I have plenty of foxgloves, and I love them, but I'm looking for perennials that flower well into summer to fill my gaps. I have a utility room, but it doesn't have a window, only an exterior door. So that doesn't help! I will have a proper look at the seed packets. I think I remember reading that oriental poppies could be direct sown, so they might be an option. Thanks both.

Cosmos are annuals, not perennials, but they're a good choice anyway imo.

A cold frame is good for starting things off in modules or seed trays to plant out. Obviously you don't get as much extra heat as a greenhouse, but it's still noticeably warmer than direct sowing & of course the advantage of being away from slugs, less seed needed etc.

Do you have room for one of the small pop-up grow houses in your garden? The ones that are three or four shelves with a plastic cover over them? I start pretty much everything off in one of them - - all my veg and annuals (including cosmos!) - - and it works very well. They cost about £40 I think and mines about to start year three in fine fettle!