Cosmos Annual Bipinnatus Crimson Red, Rose And White Mix

Sowing cosmos seeds undercover
Cosmos seeds can be sown undercover in March or April.  The seeds are long and thin, so can be easily handled.

Use seed trays filled with good compost.  Push two seeds about 3mm deep into each module.  Water well and then place in a greenhouse or on a warm windowsill to help germination.  If both seeds germinate, remove one of the seedlings a week later and leave the other one to grow on.

Pot the seedlings on into larger pots when they are big enough to handle.  Pinch out the growing tip of each stem when 3 pairs of true leaves have grown to encourage stems to branch and produce more flowers.  Then plant out in late May or June once the risk of frosts has passed. 

Direct sowing cosmos seeds
Direct sow your cosmos seeds in May - the risk of frost should have passed by the time they emerge. 

Prepare the soil before planting.  Rake the patch until you have a fine, crumbly consistency.  Space the seed about 5-8cm (2-3in) apart and water well.

About three weeks later, the seedlings should have popped up.  At that point, you can thin them out to about 30cm (12in) apart.  Pinch out the growing tip of each stem to encourage them to branch and produce more flowers.

Sowing withing a wildflower bed scheme

When To Sow

Spring or Autumn.  Keep an eye on the weather, avoid sowing around the time of frost or drought.

Sowing Rate
See individual product page for sowing rate.  Increasing this rate may result in some species out competing others and reducing the rate may result in weeds or grasses dominating.  *Tip 1 level teaspoon of wildflower seed is about 1.5g

Flowering Period
Annual species sown in Spring will bloom 8-10 weeks after sowing.  Annuals sown in Autumn will bloom the following summer.  Perennial species begin to flower the second year after sowing.  If managed correctly, these flowers will return year after year.

Ground Preparation
Prepare pots or a bare seedbed in advance of sowing, free of weeds, grass, and other plants so that the wildflower seeds don't have to compete with other plants.  This step is essential to establish wildflowers successfully.

Sowing

1. Lightly dig over and rake the soil to create a fine, firm seedbed.
2. Shake seed packet and mix the seeds with a carrier if using and scatter over the seedbed.
3. Lightly rake, roll or walk over the area to create good seed to soil contact.  The aim is to push the seeds into the soil rather than to bury them too deep.
4. Water lightly and take care not to wash the seeds away.

Maintenance
Cut the plants back to 7cm in height after flowering in the autumn.  Remove the cuttings to keep soil fertility low and to not smother emerging plants.  Do not apply fertiliser or plant food.

This Seed Contains No Filler
Mix with a Carrier such as sand, sterile compost or Ready Brek to bulk the seed for a more even broadcast.