When summer reaches its peak and many plants are already in full bloom, a quiet drama begins in the garden, one that rewards patience and foresight. Right now is the time to lay the foundations for the stars of the coming spring: biennial plants.

These green time travellers live in two acts: they germinate and grow in the first year, then after winter, as if by magic, they surprise us with magnificent blooms or a rich harvest. For us at Magic Garden Seeds, they are the poets of the garden: modest in their beginnings, but ending with a grand gesture. Anyone who embraces this rhythm is richly rewarded, with beauty, variety and a feeling of deep connection with the turning of the year.

What exactly are biennial plants?

Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two garden years. In the first year they usually form a leaf rosette and strengthen their root system. In the second year comes the flowering and the formation of fruit or seed, after which they generally die.

Many of these plants have one thing in common: they need natural cold signals to get in the mood for flowering. Winter acts like a gentle wake-up call. In this way they follow the inner rhythm of the seasons and give us a particularly intense flowering or harvest period the following year.

Now is the time: sowing biennial plants in summer

Summer is not only harvest time, it is also the ideal moment to garden with an eye to the future. Many biennial plants need a few weeks to develop strong young plants, which then go into winter well prepared. The months from June to August are therefore perfect for starting to sow and giving your garden a blooming promise for next year.

Timing is everything

Don't sow too late, so that the plants can build up enough foliage before the first frost. Sowing in high summer (July/August) works wonderfully for many species, especially if you keep the soil nicely moist after sowing and protect it from strong sunshine.

Direct sowing or starting indoors?

• Many biennial species can be sown directly in the bed, especially wildflowers or robust flowering plants such as viper's bugloss or wild carrot.

• More delicate varieties or those with small seeds, such as forget-me-nots or sweet William, can also be started in seed trays and planted out in the bed later.

• For direct sowing, make sure you have fine, crumbly, weed-free soil and even moisture, which gives your little plants the best possible start.

Care until autumn

Once the seedlings have come up, it's time to water regularly, weed gently and perhaps give them a little boost with garden compost. As soon as the plants have formed strong rosettes or basal leaves, they are ready to go into winter.

In harsh locations, it is worth protecting delicate species with some leaves, brushwood or horticultural fleece, so that they get through periods of frost better. However, many biennial plants are surprisingly robust and need little help, especially if they are allowed to grow in the right spot.