After saying how much cheaper seeds are than plants, Karl has been forced to put his polly tunnel where his mouth is!
 | | Preparing the seed trays |
He has agreed to grow, from seed, the three most popular plants as voted by listeners. After looking after them and using his professional skills - you'll be able to win some of these plants to pop into your own back garden. Phone vote Thanks to a phone vote amongst breakfast listeners, the most popular plants were Gazanias, Marigolds and at number one Sunflowers.
 | | Sieving the soil ready for planting |
Over the next few weeks and months you can see how Karl goes about growing these plants and he'll be happily dispensing some practical tips as well. Make sure you pop back to this page to see his updated photos and then to discover how you can win the very plants you've watched grow! Over to Karl.... Helianthus (Sunflowers) A really popular choice and great fun. Sunflowers are one of the most rewarding plants to grow. Literally one of the big favourites, popular with Gardeners from 5-105. One of the nice things about Sunflowers is the space they take up, its all vertical! So providing you have a sunny wall for them to use as support they'll be away.
 | | Sunflowers |
Your sunflower will need supporting early on with a cane/stick and tied to it. Although thick, the stems are brittle and the weight of the flower head, often 2lb upwards can snap them if caught in the wind. Sunflowers prefer a really sunny spot and must be watered well. They are tolerant of most soils but will benefit from a regular organic fertiliser, Anything from “blood ‘n’ bone” to liquid seaweed and even chicken manure. All work well. The variety I'll be sowing is 'Mammoth'. I'll be planting these undercover from March and then onto individual pots in April. You can put them out as soon as we're frost free. At the end of the season, remember you can compost the leaves and stems and the best thing is, if you keep the flower heads somewhere dry, either for seeds to plant on next year or for a tasty winter treat for the birds. Gazania (Mexican Daisies) Planted as annuals but will survive over winter if mild. They are half-hardy, meaning a light frost won't hurt them but anything less than 5 below will. Gazanias are well behaved compact plant with low spread and height, usually 30cmx30cm. Gazanias will show large daisy like blooms from early Summer which remain closed in dull weather and opens up in bright sun.
 | | Mexican Daisies |
Constant deadheading will keep the flowers coming all the way through until first frosts. Gazanias will prefer a south-facing position but will grow in any aspect and are tolerant to most soils types. It is also drought tolerant. They are good all-rounders, useful in borders, beds and containers and can brighten up modern contemporary planting schemes when used with grasses and structural planting. Or, just at home in an informal cottage garden. The variety I'll be growing is 'Tiger Stripes'. I'll be planting these mid/end February and hopefully transferring them into individual pots around 4/5 weeks later. Once we can be sure we're frost free, they can go out into the garden. Tagettes Patula (French Marigolds) A traditional favourite going back to Victorian times and with good reason, simple to grow, free flowing blooms in bright oranges and yellows. Whilst they do have a strong scent, French Marigolds are smaller than their African cousins and will tolerate most soil types and aspects, although struggle on really windy sites. One of the interesting uses of Marigold apart from providing long drifts of colour along our borders is it’s use in companion planting.
 | | French Marigold |
Placing a marigold amongst your Tomatoes will keep Aphids away and old country law has it that a few marigolds planted near the Hen house will keep foxes at bay! There are also some alleged herbal and medicinal benefits. They also attract Butterflies and Moths which is good, however, they are also very popular with Slugs, possibly making them ideal to plant next to Hostas as a sacrifice! The variety I'll be growing is 'Hero'. I will be sowing these in March and they will be available for you in the middle of May. By June they should be in flower. Deadheading the fading blooms will keep fresh ones coming all summer long and they should flower until September and longer, depending on conditions. | 
