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You can sow both hardy biennials and herbaceous perennials in seed beds outdoors, later transplanting the young plants to their growing positions in beds and borders. Their sowing and transplanting times differ slightly, however.

Hardy biennials

• Sow seeds in drills in a nursery bed in spring and early summer. Always sow seeds evenly and thinly.

• Thin seedlings slightly when they are large enough to handle. If necessary, refirm soil around those that remain. Then lightly but thoroughly water the soil.

• In autumn of the same year, or early spring of the following one, transfer plants to their growing position.

Herbaceous perennials

• Sow seeds in drills in a nursery bed in spring and early summer, later thinning them to wider spacings and subsequently planting them in a nursery bed. During spring or early summer of the following year, plant them in borders. After planting, thoroughly water the soil.

• Alternatively, sow seeds in shallow pots in spring and early summer and place them in a cold frame; this encourages more rapid germination and prevents compost becoming excessively wet, causing seeds to rot.

• A further choice is to sow seeds in seed-trays (flats) in spring and early summer and to place them in a cold or slightly warm greenhouse. Later, plant them in a nursery bed.