Spring is here, the sun is shining and it’s time for all things that grow once more. Winter can be dull enough all on its own… but after being coupled up with intermittent lockdowns, the itch we’re all feeling to make the most of the outdoors this year is stronger than ever. That, of course, includes our gardens!

Millions across the UK are preparing to get their fingers green, but not all of us know how to best bring our garden spaces to life. That’s why we’ve put together some advice to tell you which seeds are best to plant in spring, from radiant flowers to mouth-watering vegetables, to help you get off on the right foot.

Sunflowers

Kicking things off with one of the most obvious (and one of the most beautiful) options, sunflowers are ideal to be planted between March and mid-May. This varies, however, so make sure you check the seed packet first. Though there are different types of sunflowers, they generally take between 80 to 120 days to grow and mature, so they’ll be ready in all their glory by the time summer rolls around. They have their name for a reason!

Cosmos

If a colourful variety is the kind of thing you want springing up in your garden this year, you certainly can’t go wrong with cosmos. Cosmos seeds are available in a wide variety of colours and are best to be laid in March and April, meaning you still have plenty of time to spread the rainbow in your garden this spring.

Poppies

Nothing quite says the sun is back like a beautiful array of luscious red poppies. Annual poppies are a particularly popular choice, as you can sow the seeds in spring, early summer or even autumn. As the name indicates, annual poppies also return year after year with the correct love and care, meaning they’ll bless your garden with colour for springs yet to come too.

Basil

Let’s add a little flavour into the mix. Basil seeds are best when sown indoors, any time from late February to mid-summer, making spring the perfect sweet spot. Afterwards, when any and all danger of frost has passed, you can transfer your basil outside. Just make sure you choose a sunny and sheltered spot and keep an eye on the growth of your tasty herbs so you know when it’s time to change pots.

Beetroots

Moving away from all things floral and onto all things delicious, let’s take a look at which vegetable seeds are best planted in spring. Beetroot seeds can be planted every few weeks from March onwards, and you can continue to do so all the way up to July. With a growing time of around twelve weeks, your beets could be ready for summer if you get the seeds sown now – just in time for your barbeque side salads!

Lettuce

A nice, big, fat wedge of juicy lettuce is a must-have in spring and summer. Though not a main feature for most meals, lettuce is a side that countless dishes just aren’t the same without. So why not save yourself some money at the supermarket and sow your own lettuce seeds this spring? Taking roughly 6 to 8 weeks to grow, your garden will be full of delicious lettuce heads by the time the weather is at its warmest.

Carrots

Finally, let’s finish off with one of the most versatile options in the vegetable family. Carrot seeds can be sown anywhere from early spring to late August and can be harvested all year round, making now the perfect time to begin growing your carrot collection. With a growing time of 12 to 16 weeks, April is a great time to get started if you’re wanting some delicious home-grown carrots for summer, just like the other veg on our list.

We hope our blog on the spring seeds you should be planting right now has been helpful for all you budding gardeners out there! And remember, if your garden needs a little TLC before you start thinking about what to grow in it, our article on 10 easy ways to repair your neglected garden is sure to give you a push in the right direction.

Tags: Gardening, Gardening Advice, Gardening Tips, Spring Tips