"Wow um... I'm really confused now. I guess I should start them if I feel like it?" Yes. You can start them now IF YOU FEEL LIKE COVERING THEM OR OTHERWISE PROTECTING THEM when there are frosts/low temps in your area ONCE THEY GERMINATE (ungerminated ws seeds wont usually need protection from freezing). This is the part of wsing that confused me the most. The idea that the seeds know when to sprout is not correct for any seed at any time. You still need to know what type of plant you are sowing, whether it is perennial/hardy annual/warm season annual, and the last frost date for your area, and sow them accordingly. You can ws perennials just about anytime after Dec 21 (or whatever the date is in your area/zone where you are regularly going down to freezing or below at night). The hardy annuals can be ws when you are still getting freezes at night. The warm season annuals can be ws when the temps are still close to freezing at night, but usually above 32 (daytime and nighttime temps). So, YES you can ws your warm season annuals (tomatoes, peppers, cosmos, etc) when you are still getting frosts/low temps, BUT you will have to protect them with blankets, totes/containers, or bringing them into the garage when the temps are at 32 or below (daytime or nighttime). My opinion is that you shouldn't start your warm season annuals until you are within a few weeks of your last frost date. That is because I don't want to have to watch the temps everyday to make sure it will not drop below 32 at any point. I dont want to have to cover and uncover my seedlings, so I wait until I know they can handle the temps. I am in northeast TN, so my zone is either 6 or 7 depending on which web site you consult. So, my last frost date is between Mar 21- Apr 21. I ws my warm season annuals in late Mar or early Apr. That's my take on it, anyway.

Hi folks... I had a blast today at the swap. It was great fun to see so many long time friends and make some new gardening friends too. We had over 100 people and over 2000 plants for sharing. Awesome! At our first swap in 2001 there were 28 people... it's was so fun to see some of those same people at the swap today. Thanks to everyone for coming with such a kind and sharing heart - that's what it is all about. Everyone seemed to go home with lots of new plants. :-) Murray and I came home with some tomatoes, sedums, lillies, coneflowers and many more. Thanks so much. Of course, thanks to folks for bringing a wonderful array of tastey potluck food! I say this every year... gardeners sure can cook and bake. Thanks to folks that donated door prizes. We always get such a neat array of goodies to choose from One last thanks to everyone who came with a kind generosity of spirit. Good gardening to you all! Beverly

Well It is SassyD's and sunshine 123's seeds we will be splitting up. If this is what you want me to do. It is after all a week later. Hopefully I get Luv Hollyhocks tomarrow she emailed me and said she sent them on friday soooo. I guess we are voting for splittting up the other two girl's seeds.? lmk Kelley

keswick_sniders I loved your poem, many parts of your journey into gardening although on a different level hit home with me, along with happy times there were some tough years to get through as I was growing up. Not only does a garden give one a lot of joy and pleasure, it, at least for me when I was very young without going into detail, grandpa's garden was a place where all my little worries and cares disappeared. There was a tall patch of grass behind his vegetable garden where on a sunny day I would lie down in amongst it and watch all the billowy clouds roll by, sometimes even take a nap, the warmth from the sun, a slight breeze, lovely. I used to have a huge library but have since passed many of my books on to up and coming gardeners, magazines, I had a bookcase full of them which I used to pull out and reread during the winter months, those have now been handed on to others. I've only been using a computer for a few years and still on the learning curve, very thankful I have DH to straighten it all up when I hit a snag but those times I'm happy to say are getting less frequent. I'm sure most of you have discovered not only does a garden give you satisfaction at creating beauty even if it is just in your own mind, like me, a garden is a great healer. For those of us dealing with disabilities, illness, hardships or even emotional issues that can wear one down a garden becomes a sanctuary where you can relax and toss all your cares to the wind at least for a little while, that is... until you look down at your favorite hosta that some damn slug has used as a smorgasbord the night before, but after a little searching you find the culprit, the crunching sound heard when you bring the heel of you boot down on the little sucker... ahhhh such satisfaction... all is right with the world again :). Gardens, so many different styles of gardening to choose from, it's a place where you can do your own thing, whether it's acreage, a few raised beds, containers or even just a simple window box to start with, welcome to the wonderful world of gardening, enjoy. WARNING!!! it can become very addictive LOL. Annette