Jasmine: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How do you sow jasmine outdoors?
Before sowing jasmine, check the botanical name on the seed packet. The common name covers several Jasminum species with different hardiness, and sometimes star jasmine, which belongs to another genus. A single depth of two centimetres or one outdoor sowing calendar cannot suit all these plants. Use identified seed and follow the supplier's directions for temperature, seed covering and any preliminary treatment.
To monitor germination, choose a pot or tray with drainage holes rather than sowing rows directly into the garden. Fill it with free-draining seed compost, moisten it and distribute the seeds without crowding them. Cover them only as directed for that seed lot, then label the container with the name and date. Keep the compost moist without leaving it saturated.
Place the container outdoors only if temperatures suit the species. Protect young plants from frost, heavy rain and slugs, and also check that they do not dry out. Prick out seedlings once they are developed enough to handle without damaging their roots. Gradually acclimatise hardy types before planting them into the garden.
Seed propagation does not reliably reproduce a named cultivar. To preserve its characteristics, cuttings or layering are generally preferable for jasmines. Do not expect an unlabelled seedling to have the same flowers or hardiness as its parent.
When and how should you plant jasmine?
When does jasmine flower?
