Hi Mairenn, I think right now is a good time to start lots of the biennials. I just started some foxgloves (don't know why, I already have far too many of these). Mine are outside in the shade, just good quality potting soil in used food containers with holes in the bottom. Once they grow some, I'll either plant them or transfer them into pots until they get larger. Last year around this time, I tried starting pansies and viola's and didn't have much luck. If anyone knows the trick for starting these and having them ready to plant by fall, I'd love to know about it.

Just one Cherokee Purple so far.

I seeded Shasta Daisies in my home last year (late, not until April if I remember correctly). I started them in 2-cup size plastic containers from the Indian food place in Lexington (Tandoor).. perfect size. I filled half with seed starting mix, dropped in the seeds, watered with sprayer, put on lid and then sat on top of my water heater. They sprouted in a week. I then put them in the basement under lights for a couple weeks before transplanting into 6-packs. From 020508 Then I grew them under the florescent lights until the end of May when I put them outside (shown here to the right of the Italian Stone pine in the pic) From 052708 On July 19th From 071908 And then they flowered in late August\September So it is possible to get blooms the first year (I did), though it was not that many.

I will be trying some of the gimmicks (methods). Thanks for the discussion. Walls of water work for me because we have warm weather with cold spells. The walls of water enable the plants to survive the few cold days. I remove them as soon as the cold threats are over and I only use them for a few plants because they are kind of a pain to manage. I can see why they might not be convenient for people who grow many plants. I will try clear plastic to warm the soil and winter sowing some of the tomato seeds I saved. Because of my erratic weather I have used winter sowing only for plants that can take the cold. It would be nice to start some more outside so I will try it on tomatoes to see for myself.