[Asherweef]

Morning,

I'm looking to grow a load of bedding plants for next Summer (to give away as opposed to sell). When would one be best sowing? I would imagine that a lot of these plants are grown in controlled environments at the beginning of the year, but would it be OK to sow in Autumn and overwinter in the [soon-to-be-heated] greenhouse or just sow at the beginning of the year?

Thanks in advance chums 

[mumofstig]

It depend what you're growing really 

Some hardy annuals can be started in a cold frame in Autumn, some are best early in the Spring - but half hardy plants will need sowing later and often need a warm (not just frost-free) greenhouse.

[Asherweef]

OK Mum, thanks for that. I was hoping to get grubby in the GH for a bit!

[New shoot]

You could always buy a couple of bedding geraniums and fuchsias now and do loads of cuttings.  They overwinter pretty well on a bright windowsill.

Plus most places will be selling off a lot of the summer stuff cheap now   

[Asherweef]

You could always buy a couple of bedding geraniums and fuchsias now and do loads of cuttings.  They overwinter pretty well on a bright windowsill.

Plus most places will be selling off a lot of the summer stuff cheap now   

Good thinking for those two! Do you think they'll be OK in a greenhouse or would it need to be warmer?

[New shoot]

I think you are chancing it in the greenhouse.  If we have a mild winter like last year, you could probably get away with it, but they need to stay warmer than just frost-free as MoS says