Sowing foxgloves - not an easy thing, ignorant gardeners might claim. But is it really like that? Under what conditions is sowing successful, when is the right time and when are the young plants transplanted?
How do you sow foxglove correctly?
To sow foxgloves, ideally choose between June and August, mix seeds with sand and sow a maximum of 3 mm deep in humus soil in a partially shaded location. After 3-4 weeks, prick out the young plants and plant them at a distance of 40 cm and 25 cm between rows.
The right time for sowing
Foxglove can be sown in both spring and summer. It can be sown in cold frames in early spring and in pots in late spring. The second option is to sow it between June and August. In practice, the second option is usually preferred.
Seed characteristics
The foxglove seeds are easily blown away by the wind. It is extremely small and light. Each seed does not grow larger than 0.5 mm. Therefore, you should be careful when sowing so as not to lose too many seeds. The seeds are light germinators and do not need to be stratified before sowing.
Sowing implementation
Foxglove is easy to put on. It can be sown outdoors, for example in beds or in bowls or pots. The seeds are either spread widely and pressed down or covered with sowing soil by a maximum of 3 mm. To distribute them better and more evenly due to their tiny size, it is advisable to mix them with sand.
If you plan to plant a large area with foxgloves, you should ensure there is sufficient planting distance. It is important to maintain a distance of 40 cm between the individual plants. A row spacing of 25 cm is sufficient.
Place the growing container or sow the seeds in a semi-shady place. The ideal germination temperature is between 15 and 18 °C. Keep the soil moderately moist in the following weeks.
Prick out the young plants and plant them out
The young plants should be pricked out after three to four weeks. Pricking out later is not recommended due to their sensitive taproot. They are planted in a location that has the following characteristics:
- partially shaded to shady
- cool to warm
- nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil
- good drainage
- moist environment or high humidity
Tips & Tricks
If you have already planted foxgloves in your garden, you do not need to sow this plant every year. It likes to multiply through self-sowing.
