Action flower seed mix for 0.39 euros brings colour to the garden

After weeks of grey winter weather, anyone craving colour no longer needs to set aside a large budget. An inexpensive mix of flower seeds is enough to turn beds, lawn edges and even small spots on a balcony or patio into a vibrant ribbon of blooms. A current offer from non-food discounter Action makes this possible for less than the cost of a bread roll from the bakery.

Affordable, yet far from poor quality: what is inside the seed packet

Action's gardening range currently includes a packet containing a colourful mix of annual summer flowers, priced at just 0.39 euros. The chain is aiming this product at amateur gardeners who want to add colour to a bed quickly, without extensive planning.

“For just under forty cents, an entire area can be turned into a colourful field of flowers – with no specialist knowledge and no special tools.”

The mix includes a range of traditional ornamental plants, typically including:

• Poppies for vivid red highlights
• Cosmos in shades of pink, white and violet
• Marigolds, also known as “Calendula”, in warm orange and yellow tones
• Other low-growing and medium-height summer flowers

The aim is to create a varied, continuous carpet of flowers that reveals fresh shades throughout spring and early summer. For anyone who does not want to deal with individual plants, growing positions and planting plans, a packet like this offers an uncomplicated starting point.

Where and when to find the Action offer

The packets are available in Action stores within the garden and seasonal section. As soon as the first warmer days approach, they are often displayed on stands in the aisles or close to the entrance. Quantities are limited, as availability depends heavily on the season and stock often sells out quickly.

Anyone already visiting Action for cleaning products, decorations or household essentials should check the garden department. Seed packets are frequently placed prominently near the tills or on a special spring display alongside planters, compost and gardening tools.

What the flower seed mix brings to the garden

A riot of colour instead of bare patches

The main appeal of the mix is its diversity. Plants with different heights, colours and flower shapes combine in a bed that may previously have contained nothing but bare soil or a tired patch of lawn. Dense growth conceals empty areas and suppresses smaller weeds.

Using several packets together also makes it possible to plant larger spaces, such as front gardens or strips alongside driveways. In densely built-up neighbourhoods, this creates a visual contrast with standard closely mown lawns.

A bonus for bees, bumblebees and butterflies

There is another benefit: flower mixes such as these serve as a buffet for insects. Many of the species included provide pollen and nectar for weeks. Even a few square metres are enough to bring noticeably more life into the garden.

“Anyone who sows seeds feeds not only the eyes, but also bees, bumblebees and butterflies – conveniently without any extra effort.”

Particularly in built-up areas, where decorative gravel and stone beds are becoming more common, every colourful strip of flowers acts as a small counterbalance. The impact is visible, but it also has an ecological effect.

Staggered flowering rather than a short-lived display

The mix combines species that develop at different rates. Some flowers open their buds early, while others do not begin flowering until several weeks later. This produces a succession of flowering periods over a longer time.

Sowing in stages extends the display even further. Rather than scattering all the seeds on one day, sow at intervals of around two weeks. New plants will then continue to emerge while older clumps gradually fade.

How to sow the flower seed mix step by step

Preparing the soil

The soil does not need to be perfect, although a few basic measures significantly improve the chances of success:

• Remove large stones and root remnants from the area.
• Loosen the topsoil with a rake so the seeds can make contact with the ground.
• Lightly scrape back or dig over areas that are heavily affected by weeds beforehand.
• Use a rake to create a surface with as fine a texture as possible.

Heavy, very clay-rich soil can be loosened with a little sand or fine growing medium. Standard multipurpose compost is suitable for containers or balcony planters.

Sowing without specialist tools

Once the ground has been prepared, the process is quick. The instructions on the back of the packet can be reduced to a few steps:

• Scatter the packet contents loosely across the chosen area.
• If necessary, mix the seeds with a little dry sand to achieve a more even spread.
• Cover the seeds with only a very thin layer of soil or growing medium.
• Water using a fine rose, taking care not to wash the seeds away.

“Sowing often takes less than five minutes – choosing the spot in the garden takes much longer.”

Position, water and care

A location with plenty of sun, or at least partial shade, is ideal. In full shade, flowering will be noticeably less abundant. During the first few weeks after sowing, the soil should not be allowed to dry out. Light, regular watering is usually sufficient.

Once established, the plants generally cope with normal weather conditions. During prolonged dry spells, occasional watering helps, especially in light sandy soil.

Tips for keeping flowers blooming as long as possible

Remove faded blooms consistently

Many annual flowers produce fresh buds when old flower heads are removed. This process is known as “deadheading”. Snipping off faded heads every few days while walking around the garden encourages new flowers to form.

This is not always practical over larger areas. In such cases, it is often enough to remove the most obviously dried stems so that the space continues to look tidy.

Collect your own seeds

A single packet can provide a small supply for the years ahead. Allow a few plants to set seed completely, then cut off the mature seed heads, dry them and store the seeds in paper packets for later use. Kept somewhere cool and dry, many species remain viable for several years.

Task	Effort	Benefit
Prepare for sowing	approx. 20–30 minutes	Better germination, fewer weeds
Water during the first few weeks	briefly 2–3 times per week	Dense, even coverage
Remove faded flowers	as required	Longer flowering period
Harvest seeds	one afternoon at the end of the season	Savings in subsequent years

Who benefits most from this small investment

The mix is particularly effective where a quick result is needed and there is no detailed planting plan. Typical examples include newly created gardens, rented properties with a limited budget, or areas that are due to be redesigned later anyway.

Families with children can benefit too. Children can help scatter the seeds, check daily for seedlings and watch their progress. This creates a tangible connection with nature, without relying on expensive specialist plants that may suffer after the first thrown ball.

Points to consider before buying

Flower mixes may look lush, but they remain a short-term solution: most of the species included are annuals. Anyone planning a permanently structured garden with perennials, shrubs and clearly defined lines should view the mix as a temporary option or use it deliberately around the edges.

There is another consideration: because plants of varying heights grow together, the area can start to look slightly “wild” after a few weeks. Those used to very neatly cut beds may prefer to sow smaller sections rather than covering large areas.

Despite these considerations, the key point remains: for just a few cents, this is a genuine opportunity to enhance an outdoor space, support biodiversity and create a colourful response to drab, sparsely designed areas with very little effort. Anyone who starts in good time for the season can see by late spring just how much impact can come from an unassuming packet of seeds.