Strips of seeds/no show :(

I was given some by a friend last year and found them disappointing.He uses lots of them in his allotment -saves time in thinning out.and spacing.it sounded a good idea but won't be buying any for my small garden

I have not tried the tape but did buy some basil mats for sowing in pots which gave 100% success, germinating within a few days.

Can I digress here to ask you who know about planting things a question?

What can I plant NOW in baskets and pots? I need to have some display quite quickly.

Thank you! I'm OK with fuchsia etc at the end of May, but it's a bit early yet?

Pansies and violas are about it at the moment.

Nice though.

There is time for them to germinate jrjanet. Not been good germinating weather here.Too dry and now too cold.

That's what I thought, jingl! Just thought there might be more I didn't know about!

It's too cold and carrots always take ages

what about doing a green one small conifer in middle for height, heathers and ivy round edge or add some pansies for a bit of colour.Ive just bought some Indian mint to go in baskets seems to be growing quite fast and sold as hardy.If I think of anything else,Ill come back.

Ariadne If you are wanting colour right now pansies and violas are the answer,as jingl says, but you could go for colourful grasses, herbs or heathers. I have some permantly planted pots with Heucheras, whose leaves come in very bright reds, oranges, peaches etc. I also have a potted Photinia Red Robin which has striking red new leaves.
Do you have a special occasion coming up when you want your garden to look good?
Hope this helps.

www.google.com/images?client=ms-palm-webOS&channel=iss&q=heuchera%20images&hl=en&sa=X&oi=image_result_group
images of Heuchera, which are evergreen.
www.google.com/images?client=ms-palm-webOS&channel=iss&q=photinia%20red%20robin%20images&hl=en&sa=X&oi=image_result_group
images of Photinia

Thank you, Shysal. I have a photinia which is looking fantastic. No special occasion, but the house is for sale and the baskets etc are empty. Think I'll go for pansies etc, don't want to spend much!