Rebecca: Welcome to winter sowing and to the forum. We are glad to have you on board.

If you haven't done so read the FAQs linked at the top of the page. Also see Trudi's site wintersown.org

I'll give you a link to Trudi's site, the page with lists of plants by zones.

Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: wintersown

WOW!!! Thank you so much for that link! I was puttering around Trudi's site this morning a bit, but never noticed this database! What an incredible help! Thank you, Karen, and thank you, Trudi! I will also read through the FAQs. Wow - I love this!!!

Rebecca: Do putter around Trudi's site. From the home page you can navigate your way around to find out most anything you might want to know. After reading feel free to come back and ask specific questions. This is a very friendly forum and you will be accepted warmly. Questions will be answered, mostly from the experts with more wintersowing experience than me (this is just my 2nd year). Also note that the forum has it's own seed exchange. And see the offer for free seeds from Trudi's site.

Now is a good time to start saving those milk jugs and thinking about what plants you want to try next year.

Oh, yes, and you mentioned columbine, they wintersow very well. This is one of mine, currently blooming in it's second year.
{{gwi:392719}}

Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: wintersown free seeds

Karen - those are just BEAUTIFUL!!! I picked up some dragonfly hybrid seeds the other day, and they look like they will be beautiful as well!

Definitely saving containers already!

And yes, I did send for Trudi's SASE seeds yesterday - I can't wait for them! How very generous!

I'll keep an eye out for it ;-)

Becki, this was my first time wintersowing and it worked GREAT!! I started three varieties of columbines. It did seem to take them longer than some things to sprout but they are all doing very well now, although they won't bloom until next year (IhopeIhopeIhope!)

You are going to LOVE wintersowing!

Thank you, Trudi!

Linda - I'm so glad to hear it worked well for you! Can't wait to winter sow for the first time!

Remember, you can spring and summer sow too using the winter sowing method. There's no reason to have to wait until winter to get started. Email me if you want seeds.

bakemom - I emailed you. Thank you very much!! I didn't realize I could use the winter sowing method now. I have been starting some plants in peat pellets under lights, but this method is terribly inconvenient for me! We have a good sized house, but with 5 kids living at home, and my many hobbies, space is incredibly limited! The only place I found to hang up a light was above my dryer - so every time I use my dryer (on rainy days only - otherwise the clothes are on the line!), I either have to let the little seedlings shake like crazy and get a bit warm, or remove them from the light for a while. So... I have been removing my flat of seedlings while running the dryer, and putting my flat of ungerminated seeds (in peat pellets, as well) on the dryer, as I figure they can use the warmth. Then, the seedlings sit on the washer for a while, where there isn't as good of light. It's quite an insane method - but, I am having very little luck direct sowing my seeds, so for now, at least I'm getting some cute seedlings!

Anyway, so would you just do the regular winter sowing, and put the container outside and let nature take it's course, right now?? Yeah - that'll make my husband happy! He keeps telling me I can just leave the seedlings outside, but I tell him, "No! They have to be under the light!!" I guess he was right! That's no fun to admit! :) Thanks for all the great advice!!

Rebecca, keep an eye on the Seed Exchange forum as well. Pretty soon there will be seeds "popping" up on there as people start harvesting.

Seed trading is quite addictive :) If you have any flowers in your yard, keep an eye out for seeds, and when they are ready, harvest them, package them and get ready to trade. It is SO much fun. If you will maintain a trade list (both have and want), most traders are usually happy to try and fulfill any wishes you have.

Lisa

Rebecca ... email me ... I'll trade you gobs seeds for a bubble envelope and return postage ...

Lisa - I definetly am keeping an eye on the seed exchange forum! So much fun! I do have a trade list made up already, and have made a few trades.

Now, I am concerned about saving seeds - firstly, I have never done so, so I am hoping I will do it correctly. My second concern is this - Do you save seeds from everything? I will have a few different kinds of zinnia, marigolds, sunflowers and pansies (as long as they all come up, that is), and I am wondering, should I worry about cross-polinization, or just save them and see what happens? I had hoped to get a piece of land tilled up at on my parents' large property, to use for growing just one kind of each flower, so I would know those seeds would not be crossed. But, my husband doesn't like that idea, as they live a good 10 miles away, and he knows if I have a garden there, I'll want to be over there all the time, which equals lots of gas $$$. I understand - I really have enough to take care of here at home, anyway! :)

playsindirtdirt, I emailed you - thank you so much for your generous offer!

You have a nice trade list. (I should have checked first, sorry!)

I don't worry about cross polination. I would truly recommend saving even common seeds, at least a few. There is always someone willing to trade for those....me, for one!

I don't save the most common seeds, partly because that gives me something to trade with with newbies, and mostly because I have so many other seeds that I have to draw a line somewhere :). Every year I make multiple trades for zinnia, marigolds and morning glories.

Good luck. Keep asking questions, I'm sure there will lots of people willing to help.

Oh, I just realized I do have some left overs (belamcanda and a penstemon), send me your land address and I'll be happy to pop them in the mail to you.

Lisa

Welcome, beckilove.... You sound like you are going to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE sowing seeds outside - whether it be spring, summer or my favorite - winter sowing. Please let us know when you get your first germinations - either this spring or summer or whenever. We can't wait to hear about all your successes - your life is about to change (for the better...)

Carrie

Lisa - just sent you an email as well! Don't apologize for not checking out my list! It took me a little while to get it ready, as I didn't really know anything about different flowers, except the really common ones around here! So, I checked out books at the library, and looked though all my Martha Stewart Living magazines, and got a Burpee catalog - and it didn't take me long to find LOTS of flowers I wanted (and there are always more to add!!)

Thanks for the info on the cross polonization! By looking at some of your lists, I am guessing I should just say that mine are open polinated? And I will definitely start saving all the seeds I can!!!

Thank you everyone for your very open arms and generous spirit! What a great place!

Rebecca

Your email did not come through. I'm wondering if there is a GW email problem. This is the second lost email in a week from noobs.

Email me directly at: kcmccoyesq@aol.com I have some newbie pack leftovers and will have the cool stuff later this fall. In the meantime, there's no reason you can't have fun. Just winter sow them in the shade and watch the watering. Provided that they do not need a cold stratification, and most don't, you can sow a ton of things right now. I stop around July 4, but I think others keep going.

Becki,

I just finished filling your SASEs, they go out in the mail tonight.

T

Thank you so very, very much, Trudi! I can't wait to get them! I am so happy to have found this forum, and all you wonderful people!!

Becki