That is good to know that March is not too late. I got sick myself last weekend and I was generous enough to share it with my wife. So I was taking care of her last week as she took care of me before that. Fun stuff! Actually, I was doing the laundry this weekend and to my surprise I heard mourning doves! Seems kind of early for them, especially since we 5" of snow on Friday here.

I will start my tender annuals this week. Then when they sprout - mid-April - I feel fairly confident of little chance of frost. Altho if it does freeze (ugh - I hope not - I'm ready for HOT weather! :) I will do as others said, and cover. I once lost all my salvia to a late frost. Don't want that to happen.

I've always read that root formation improves winter hardiness. Can't say I've read a scientific report on it. I alway have bulbs that peak up during warm spells. They stop when it gets cold again. They still flower in the spring. In any case, you have some flexibility so do it when its convenient. I've even planted as late as January. The worst part about planting late is that the squirrels know when the ground has been disturbed and bother the bulbs.

The seeds are really tiny, so I usually broadcast then sprinkle a very small amount of peat moss or similar fine organic material over them, just to "anchor" them and get good soil contact. Also until they germinate be sure to use a spray when watering lightly, because a full blast from a garden hose will wash the seeds off. (And then you get a ton of alyssum in the yard where the water runs off, like me!) Oh - and when they get lanky, cut them back pretty hard and they'll return in full flower.