How much space & kit for growing perennials from seed?

[WanderingWisteria]

We’re in the middle of a garden re-jig. It’s all running behind so I’m accepting that I won’t be able to do much planting until the autumn. I love the cottage garden look so want to have swathes of perennials all merging into one another. Buying them as established plants is going to be pricey so I am contemplating growing from seed. BUT I have never done that before so am considering the cost of initial outlay on kit, the time involved and the chances of success.
In terms of available space, I have the possibility of creating some space in either the shed or the garage, claiming some deep window sills in the house (all of which are above radiators) and room for one of those mini greenhouses with a green plastic cover in the west facing side passage which is in shade for much of the day.
Would that be enough space?
In terms of kit, is it just seed trays, compost and then the mini greenhouses?

Could you invest in a few plants and split them? 4 plants for the price of 1 and they grow like mad as soon as you've got them in the ground. This is what I did with lots of perinenals and by the second summer the garden looked very full. Seeds would have been much slower and some (fox gloves, hollyhocks, verbena, aquiliga, delphiniums) are easy to get going. Anything that needs molycoddling for months is a faff unless you've got all the kit, time and a proper greenhouse.

I grew my first plants from seed this year. Cosmos and Orlaya grandiflora to fill in my borders. I just bought three seed trays with lids. I started them inside my patio doors then moved them outside as they grew. So it didn’t take much kit or space. BUT it does take patience. And get used to the disappointment that quite a lot won’t take!

Go for it! It will take lots of time and tlc but will save a money and give you so much satisfaction! We have just planted out 70 plug plants which we have been growing indoors for a couple of months. They’re still tiny but I’m hoping a good amount of them survive. They were really good value from Thompson and Morgan as an email subscriber offer of 72 plants for £10

It can be expensive as you want it to be, and it will depend on the size of your garden. For my 4x9 metre garden, I have 6 sturdy water holding trays that go on shelves I move in and out the back door (£3 each, B&Q = £18). I then use half size inserts to sow in (12x£1.75= £21). Plastic covers on top, think they might be 6 for £5 or thereabouts. So that's about £45 initial fixed cost. Then every year I use about 2-3 bags of seed compost at £5 each. For growing on again it's normal potting compost, 3 for £15. So another £30 a year total. - £75 to set up in total.

I don't heat, get free seeds from seed swaps and neighbours, or from somewhere cheap like JustSeed. I don't remember ever paying for pots, if you haven't got a stack in the shed already, ask your neighbours! Also if you do want flowers in the first year, B&Q usually discount to half price after bank holidays, go on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Aldi had bare root perennials last winter, £1.99 for 4, I got lupins and echinacea, they're all doing well.

Or splurge on a potting shed 😅 a girl can dream

Also when planting out - my soil is about 90% clay so I do add compost (homemade), chicken manure pellets (£6), and continuous release plant food (£4).

Farmer Gracy has a sale atm which makes them dirt cheap. A bit hit and miss but overall I’ve had good experiences with them.
I agree with a pp.. buy a slightly larger plant and divide. Repetition is key to a good perennial border imo so win win

We've had a good return on plugs, bare roots and bulbs from the likes of j Parker and farmer gracy, saving on the whole seed watching & kit.

I just got 23 bare roots & bulbs for around £2.50 each, some good varieties to fill gaps in the beds from last year. Then through the summer I will probably pop in some full in bloom begonias and then start to look at the patch of the back.

I did find Lupins growing like crazy from seed one year from established plants.

A former neighbour of mine was v good at going from seed but he was retired and this was his passion! Used to have them in the sunny spot in the dining room.

Thanks for all of the advice. Plug plants & bare roots seem the way to go!