Grow wildflower annuals in bare soil

Most annuals need a sunny spot but aren’t fussy about soil. It’s easiest to sow seeds directly in the soil if it’s light and not too heavy, but a big advantage of sowing now is that the soil is much easier to fork over and rake to a fine tilth. Seeds also germinate more quickly now than in spring – even better, the growing annuals will prevent nutrient leaching in winter and help to improve your soil. Clear the plot and remove any perennial weeds, hoe it and rake it ready for sowing. There’s no need to add fertiliser. Make rows with a hoe or trowel and sow the seeds thinly along these, covering with about 1cm (½in) of soil. Water if no rain falls within a few days and keep the patch moist until the seedlings appear.