Today, I filled 15 (4 in. pots)with BES seeds from my own plants last year. Wrapped them into a plastic bag that our new cross cut shredder came in. poked holes in plastic for air and put them behind the forsythia bush. They will still get light but not direct sunlight. Will watch them for dryness and bottom water them if needed. I soaked the seed potting mix and let it drain, then sprinkled last year's seeds on top and took a jar and press down lightly, then used the misting spray on the hose and wet them down some more, let that drained and put that plastic bag over them. Before that I planted 12 (4in) pots with prairie sun rudbeckia..I got the seeds from Park's and it was supposed to be 25 seeds in each pkt. and I really don't think there was a total of 25 in both pkt. They were too small to count. I put sugar in a spice jar and sprinkled them but think I had too much sugar. We shall see! Ran out of potting mix and had to go to garden center for another brand. Wanted Fafard what I had before and they just had the container mix and man who appeared to be a boss said that would be too heavy..talked me into Hoffman seed starting mix..we will wait and see how well that germinates. My favorite garden center called me this afternoon, they are expecting creeping phlox in toward end of week, and Salvia May Night or Cardonna may also be on that truck. They take request and call you saving you run all over the county..I'd rather buy from him than conglomarate HD..He brother started this garden center/farm market and he bought it from brother when he moved to Arizona or Colorada. Everybody loves their plants and they have quality plants and great customer service and knowledgable people that work there. Just learned about their request book last week so that may be the way to go from now on out. Bought some mountain blue and yellow starfire columbine seeds today(Renee's seeds) at the garden center where I got the seed starting/potting mix. $1.89 each..2 pkt. each color.

burry, That bed was one made sort of "lasagna style" over turf grass just to have someplace to put wintersown stuff. I needed a bed quick and I took some shortcuts due to lack of materials. I edged the bed with a shovel then loosened the soil deeply a bit by rocking a big fork in it. I laid down newspaper, then leaves, a bag of coffee grounds from Starbucks, topped it with a couple of inches of my own old compost, and planted later that week. Then I weeded, weeded, and weeded some more. Apparently my newspaper was not thick enough and my compost was loaded with weed seeds! Lesson learned. I'm so glad there are so many other insect watchers on here. I know a lot of gardeners are more interested in killing bugs than attracting them. I figure there are no truly bad bugs and so I try to only kill in self-defense :)

My guess on the differences in seed is genetics....just like siblings in a family all start with the same two parents, they generally tend to look similar but also different. Daylily siblings show this up quite well. Lisa

Hey Everybody! I have been inspired to try the wintersowing thing this winter. I had no idea that it was as easy as putting seeds and soil in a milk jug, with drainage and vent slits, and putting the whole thing outside in the cold. Clumsy, Now that it is July I am very interested in seeing the HUNDREDS of new plants that you started this last winter almost all grown up now. thanks for the inpiration all and good luck