China aster 'Giant Prinses' Mix

Aster seed requires no prior treatment. How to Sow Indoors: March-April.
Outdoors: April- June.

Simplest way indoors is, from March in a propagator on the window-sill - or in a cold frame. Perfect temperature would be 18-22 degrees centigrade. Fill pots with potting compost and sow one see per pot. Cover with 0.5 cm soil and sprinkle with water. Heat will do the rest. Plant out from mid-May. Hold them back until the weather is reasonable outdoors, by standing them in a cooler but light position.

In the garden, they need a sunny spot and can be sown from the end of April up to and including June. Loosen the soil with a fork to 30 cm deep and draw a straight furrow about 1 cm deep. Label the row, then mix the seed with some sharp, dry sand and sow lightly along the row. Cover with 0.5 cm soil, press lightly down and sprinkle with water. Extra rows at 30 cm apart.

Seedlings are liable to frost damage so protect them with garden fleece. The seed will germinate in 14-21 days.

Water extra during dry periods, keep the bed weed-free and your Asters will thrive, even in poor soil. Asters are very undemanding but do not like their 'feet' wet. They can flower from June until the first frosts. Keep dead heading to promote flowering. Harvesting Simply cut the tall stems with scissors or a sharp knife to pick them. Nipping them off with thumb and index finger is also possible.

The China Aster (Callistephus chinensis) is an annual that grows 60 to 70 cm. Not surprisingly, given the name, this plant originated in China.