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This is the best time to sow the different plants that will decorate our gardens throughout the summer. It is easy and gratifying, but requires a little bit of patience.

First we choose the seeds. This will depend on where the plants will be located, the kind of plant in question and the color of the flower. With all these factors in mind we will choose the seeds in a gardening center and check the following data on the packages:
� Whether the plant is annual or seasonal (i.e. will flower this summer).
� The botanical and common name of the plant.
� Amount of exposure needed in sun and shade.
� Height of plant when fully grown.
� Distance between plants.
� Month or months in which blooming takes place.

This information will help us select different kinds of flowers, especially which new ones to plant as the summer progresses, combining colors, heights and even scents.

Another piece of information that should appear on the seed packet is the packaging date. It should be as recent as possible because germination potential drops off with time.

The seeds on offer include flowers that are not on sale in greenhouses, such as developed plants, which broadens the possibility of sowing new plants in our garden.

How to plant
� Prepare a tray 5 cm high with spongy soil and sand. You can also use a flower pot.
� Spread the seeds out evenly on the soil and cover them lightly with a bit of it.
� The tray need not have holes in the bottom because watering is done with spray, trying to keep the seeds from moving. Keep the soil always moist but never drenched. Place the tray in a protected place, on a windowsill with good light or in the sun, behind a pane of glass.
Once the seeds germinate, which should take four to six weeks, and have sprouted at least four leaves, transplant each sprout into a pot or to the spot where it is to grow, but only if there is no risk of frost outdoors.

This a good, cheap way to enjoy flowers, especially those that are hard to find in stores. If you collect from flowers that drop seeds this year, you can plant those seeds next year or trade with friends who have flowers we like this summer. Then, plant them next spring and enjoy them in your own garden.
Finally, don't forget that it's a good idea to store seeds in absorbent paper, such as newspaper, and do so in a dark, dry place.