Growing flowers from seed

Oh great - lots of thanks to you all. I have just pushed the boat out and ordered the book!!

If growing annuals, make a note of whether they are hardy, half hardy or tender. Hardy annuals can be sown in the late summer or early autumn. They will make a sturdy little plant that should overwinter successfully unless the winter is really extreme. They will flower early in the following year.

Half-hardy annuals don't like frost and won't overwinter in a frosty area but can survive a few cold nights in the spring. Tender annuals won't survive any frost so shouldn't be planted out until all risk of frost is past.

You can use your cold frame to harden off tender plants before planting out.

This is a really useful book....and cheap!

Some seeds need soaking, others need extreme cold before they will germinate. It’s easy to check the conditions on the internet.
Invest in a hand spray to keep the seed compost moist. Normal watering techniques will flood the seeds an young plants.
At the moment you could sow foxgloves, sweet Williams and Lupins they will take till next year to flower. They be ok outside in a raised sheltered spot and then put in the cold frame to overwinter.

Luckygirl, it very much depends on which seeds you are planting. If you pop into your local garden centre or Morrisons you will find stands of both vegetable and flower seeds. Look on the back of the packets you want to sow and you'll find a chart with coloured blocks indicating best times to sow and when to expect flowers to bloom or vegetables to be ready for use. The great thing is that you'll save so much money by growing your own in this way and it's very satisfying to see the finished product.
Happy gardening!