Seed Stories

Planning Your Seed Orders for the Year Ahead

Seed Stories

Planning Your Seed Orders for the Year Ahead

by Amy S. on Dec 30 2025
A Month-by-Month Guide for UK Gardeners Planning your seed orders in advance is one of the simplest ways to enjoy a more productive, colourful, and stress-free gardening year. Whether you’re growing flowers, vegetables, or a bit of both, knowing what to sow and when helps you avoid missed windows, impulse buys, and empty seed trays. This guide will help you plan your seed orders for the entire year — perfectly suited to the UK climate. 🌱 Why Plan Your Seed Orders Early? Planning ahead isn’t just for organised gardeners — it’s for successful ones. Benefits of seed planning: 🌼 Never miss the ideal sowing window 🥕 Spread costs across the year 🐝 Choose varieties that support pollinators 🌿 Avoid last-minute out-of-stock disappointments 📅 Create a steady sowing rhythm instead of overwhelm   🗓 Your UK Seed Planning Calendar 🌷 Spring (March–May): The Big Sowing Season Spring is when most gardeners buy the bulk of their seeds. Seeds to order early: Sweet peas Sunflowers Tomatoes Courgettes Lettuce & salad leaves Cosmos & zinnias Top tip:Order these seeds by late winter, so you’re ready as soon as temperatures rise.   ☀ Summer (June–August): Succession & Autumn Crops Summer isn’t just for harvesting — it’s for planning ahead. Seeds to order mid-year: Carrots (late sowings) Beetroot Kale & chard Spring cabbage Biennial flowers (foxgloves, wallflowers) Keyword win: vegetable seeds for autumn planting UK   🍂 Autumn (September–October): Think Spring Colour Autumn is ideal for sowing hardy seeds that overwinter quietly. Autumn seed stars: Sweet peas (again!) Hardy annuals Wildflowers Broad beans Why now?Plants develop stronger roots and flower earlier in spring.   ❄ Winter (November–February): Dream & Prepare Winter is planning season — not planting season (mostly!). What to order in winter: Tomato & chilli seeds Slow-growing flowers Rare or heritage varieties Microgreens for indoor growing Bonus:Winter orders often mean better availability and time to plan your layout.   🌸 Balancing Flowers & Vegetables When planning seed orders, aim for balance: Flowers attract pollinators and boost wellbeing Vegetables save money and taste better fresh Great flower & veg pairings: Marigolds + tomatoes Nasturtiums + courgettes Sweet peas + brassicas This supports companion planting and healthier gardens 🌿   ♻ Buy Smarter, Not More Before ordering: Check last year’s seed stash Note expiry dates Prioritise varieties you actually grow Eco-friendly tip:Choose open-pollinated seeds so you can save seeds for next year.   📋 Simple Seed Planning Checklist ✔ List what you grew last year✔ Note what worked (and what didn’t)✔ Decide on new varieties to try✔ Plan sowing months✔ Order seeds in batches by season   🌼 Make Seed Planning Part of the Joy Seed planning isn’t a chore — it’s where the magic begins. Every packet holds a story waiting to grow, from the first sowing to the final bloom or harvest. By planning your seed orders for the year ahead, you’re setting yourself up for a calmer, more rewarding gardening journey.   🌱 Ready to Get Started? Explore our curated collection of UK-friendly flower and vegetable seeds and start planning your year the Seed Stories way. 👉 Shop our seeds and grow your story.