Hi Cooper, You don't have to winter sow anything. But we winter sowers become addicted because the method works beautifully! Winter sowing is great because your seeds don't wash away, blow away, get eaten by bugs and other critters, the seeds are easily identified and kept track of for the most part. Direct sowing still has its moments though. Personally, I think larkspur actually does better direct sown. I also direct sow bachelor buttons,and nigella (love in a mist). My seeds from these plants have already germinated and are thriving despite the snow and dips into the teens that we have had. If any of these seeds are on your list, I'd go ahead and get them out there. They will germinate in their own good time and will survive any weather. From my understanding the seeds I just mentioned like to be sown in the fall anyway. So feel free to get them out as soon as you see bare ground. Natvtxn has a great idea of looking up the seeds on the internet. Also a great idea to throw some out and maybe holding some back for winter sowing or regular under lights sowing or maybe try all 3 methods...whatever you want. Gardening is always a learning experience.

Welcome to GW. Just scroll down in the posts 'til you get to the one titled "Surprise packages for January Newbies". Heather will glad to send you seeds.

Oh man! You guys were feeding dat Robin a little too much for her waistline! lol Robin landed here yesterday morning just as I was leaving for work. I managed to delay leaving long enough to rip open the package and stare at all the goodies! This was a LOT of fun and I sure learned a lot. I may do another RR some day but will have to make some changes to accommodate what I've learned. Thank you all for participating!! This RR took exactly 8 weeks to travel from coast to coast. You all should take a bow for keeping things speeding along. I now will get my Winter Sowing started - I was waiting for this package before I start my planting. I have to do a LOT of research about some of these seeds... never heard of some of them before. I am SO excited about getting the Kiss-Me-Over-the-Garden-Gate! I have been wanting that plant! and some of the fragrant goodies that came along... someone of you must have known I have a fragrance weakness! lol Only six of my contributed seeds came back to me. I believe I put something like 20 in the original box. So I am glad you all took a little bit from me. I'll be emailing some of you with questions about these seeds. I am also in the throws of transferring all my files and bookmarked sites onto a brand new computer! So I am surprised I am able to get in here right now to post this! lol I had to look for my passwords for all the sites too! Good grief! Upgrading is exciting but a pain at the same time! Now let's all get growing! Hugs from the Momma Robin! Marly

I was busy with two other swaps and totally missed the deadline for this one. I'll try next year!