The garden is a place of slow change, like a story that unfolds over time. But like all good stories, there are pauses. Moments when colour fades, blooms finish, and beds fall quiet before the next chapter begins.
Successive sowing is how we keep that story alive. It’s the art of filling those quiet gaps so the garden never feels empty, and something new is always on its way. And to be quite open and frank it is an area of gardening I often fall short in. So this is a prompt to you as much as it is myself to consider succession sowing and planting.
A Rhythm of Continuity
Instead of sowing everything at once, successive sowing spaces your plantings a few weeks apart. It’s a gentle rhythm rather than a rush - the kind of planning that rewards patience.
Think of it as a rolling wave of abundance. As one bed begins to fade, the next quietly takes its place. This is how you achieve that endless feeling of bloom, a garden that seems to always have something ready to pick, no matter the month.
Why It Matters
For cut flower growers, successive sowing is the key to a steady harvest. It avoids the overwhelm of too much all at once and the emptiness that follows. But it’s more than practicality - it’s about harmony.
You learn to read your garden’s timing, to plant with intuition, and to work with the seasons rather than against them.
What to Sow Again
Some flowers truly reward the effort of repeat sowing:
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Cosmos, zinnias, and calendula – keep the colour flowing from early summer right into autumn.
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Snapdragons and strawflowers – a second sowing in mid-spring will bloom when your first flush fades.
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Sweet peas – early and late sowings offer fragrance long after the first vines tire.
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Sunflowers – a new batch every few weeks ensures constant cheer.
Mark your calendar, or simply follow your instincts. When you notice the first stems beginning to tire, it’s time to start the next generation.
Keeping It Simple
You don’t need complicated systems. A tray of seeds tucked into a warm corner every few weeks is enough. Successive sowing isn’t about perfection; it’s about rhythm and renewal.
The most beautiful gardens aren’t the most controlled, they’re the ones that breathe with the seasons. Or that is what I tell myself.
A Living Tapestry
Over time, successive sowing turns your garden into a living tapestry, layers of bloom and texture, growth and rest. Each sowing weaves into the next, creating a landscape that’s always changing yet always full.