Trading seeds is normally done on the Seed Exchange forum rather than this forum. The topic discussed on this forum is winter sowing: sowing seeds in recycled containers in winter and setting the containers outside in the winter weather conditions.

Echinacea purpurea/purple coneflower seeds are excellent candidates for winter sowing. If you broadcast the seeds on your east facing slope, they are vulnerable to harsh winter winds, snow, alternating freeze-thaw cycles & hungry critters searching for food. You may be disappointed in your results from broadcasting/direct sowing the seeds.

Good to know. Thanks. I think I have the basic principals of winter sowing. What size should the plants be when I transplant them to their permanent spot on the slope? It's steep and loose so I'll only have the one shot to get them there. No baby sitting.

Binaboo, that is one tough question cause it isn't simply on what size the plant needs to be before being transplanted to not have to babysit. When transplanting plants there are so many factors to keep in mind. One of the main ones is the time of the year. In your zone it might not be that difficult to work around as it is in mine. I transplant when the weather is cool but warm. If the temps are in the 90's or above there is no way I can transplant without babysitting unless I have 3 days of rain to come afterwards and I still have to drag that hose out there. Yes folks I have transplanted split and planted in 90+ degree weather, extremely unadvisable but I do it, sometimes our spring is short and we are straight in summer.

Anywho back on topic, I would let the plant grow to at least the 3rd set of true leaves. Then watch your weather!! Yours is even going to be a little trickier seeing as you are on a loose slop. Normally I would say plant out before a good rain storm comes your way or a good solid drizzling rain. Though since you are on a loose slop that makes me question if the rain will wash your plants down the slop. Ugh so many factors!!

This is a tough question!!

biinaboo, have you heard of seed bombs? That slope sounds like the idea area to try them. They could supplement the seedlings that you grow from ws.

Another thing I have done in the fall is take stems with seeds and drag them along the ground in areas I want plants
to grow next spring. Some may wash down the hill but some may stay put. You could help that by taking a garden rake or shovel and patting the seeds into the soil or placing a light covering of straw (like grass sowing).

cc gave you good things to think about when deciding to plant out. Most importantly is the need for water and protection from blazing sun. A drizzling rain and cloudy days are most conducive to planting out if you are not able to water as needed.

Here is a link that might be useful: Seed bombs

Thanks for the good ideas. 90+ weather isn't an issue here. We're surprised if we get a week total above 90 all summer. I would be most concerned about late frosts. Book says last one is may 31st but I've seen one as late as June 10th. (and I've only lived here 3 years!) I'm more zone 5 than 4. The farmers almanac is calling for a dry season for us this year. I can supplement with my own irrigation but don't think run off is an issue on my hill. It's loose but more to the step. There's plenty of leaf littler to keep things in place but if you try to walk it or climb up it, your foot slips 12+ inches as the earth moves with it. Would all that leaf litter also be a deterant for broadcasting? What if it's done in autumn before a lot of leafs fall? Just trying to get a grasp on dos and donts.

I'm going to read up on seed bombs right now. That sounds interesting.

LOL @ slop, yeah ok well the kids didn't have school today so my lazy tail slept in (we are actually getting accumulating snow, WOW). I was typing that message out while still having my coffee.

Slope slope slope!!!!

Leaf litter, critters, rain, all kinds of other things could be considered when direct sowing. Fall there is even more likely hood of the birds eating the seeds.

Seed bombs are an awesome idea. Like mnwsgal said raking or roughing up the area is a good idea before hand.