British gardeners have been urged to hardy annuals themselves in 2025 so they flower 'all summer long'.

Gardeners' World expert Joe Swift suggested green-fingered gardeners should sow the seedlings themselves rather than buying them already grown in small pots. Writing in the Times' Weekend section reasoned that they will 'still provide a fine show' while a packet of seeds is 'always fabulously good value'.

He said: "Some gardeners will have sown their hardy annuals in autumn. They're called hardy as seedlings can survive frosts in most areas, but others will have sown theirs in pots indoors just a few weeks ago.

"You can buy them now, grown in small pots, but why not sow them yourself? As the soil warms up, they can be sown directly into the spot where they'll flower all summer long.

"A little later than those sown earlier but still providing a fine show. Plus, a packet of seeds is always fabulously good value."

Joe also advised gardeners to spend time preparing the soil. This is because many plants grow on poor soil, meaning they stay small and reduce their life cycle.

According to the expert, "better soil means bushier plants and a longer flowering period". He suggested using organic matter and sharp sand or grit to "improve drainage".

Joe continued: "To prepare the soil, fork it over lightly and remove any weeds and large stones.

"You can tread over it lightly when dry to help settle it. After this, you can choose to sow the seed in rows or 'breakfast sow', which basically means sprinkling them over a general area."

It comes after gardeners were urged not to feed birds one type of food this spring. It is generally advised to avoid feeding birds fat balls - or suet - in spring as they can melt and turn rancid in the warmer weather.

This is particularly true of homemade fat balls, but even if you buy commercially made ones - which are generally heat resistant - it’s still important to make sure they are eaten quickly and thrown away if they start to turn bad.

Really Wild Bird Food explains: “These [fat balls] can easily go soft and rancid in the heat so should be avoided. Commercially made fat products are suitable for use in the warmer months, but may not be as popular and so any uneaten product should be discarded after three weeks.”

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) says birds require high-protein foods in the spring and summer months, which can include things like mealworms, sunflower hearts and peanuts.