Why don't you try winter sowing? Check out their forum.

Ohhh, I can so relate to your comments. I have been checking out the seeds as they have come into the stores too. I also picked up a few packets....even though I placed several orders for seed this year.

Because our winters are soooooo long here, I start many seeds indoors under lights. That means lots of work to keep me busy. All the pots, cell paks and trays have to be bleached. The bale of soil has to be brought in so it can thaw and be ready to use....and so on.I will be starting some of the early starters very soon.

If you do this, you will be digging in the dirt way before you can even see the dirt outdoors. LOL

I've tried winter sowing, and it does not work well for me. Although I did have a bunch of old seeds....and rather than just throw them out....the other day I winter sowed them in containers and put the containers in the greenhouse. I doubt that anything will come up....but hey this is the time they just might. And at least I don't have to feel guilty for throwing good seed in the garbage.:O

Sierra

Yes; I am getting the cabin fever, too. I know what you mean. I have ordered my summer bulbs, have pruned my roses and small shrubs, and have planted some herbs already. My sweet peas were planted in autumn and I cannot wait to get out there and do more.

Sierra, WS involves putting the containers with the seeds in them outside in the elements. I am new to it this year, but my understanding is that they need to be out so that they freeze and get covered with snow so that they are kept moist. Of course I see that you are in z-2b so maybe in your zone the spring comes so late that the seeds don't have time to sprout and grow to maturity. I hope your winter sowing goes well this time. :)

Hi greylady-gardener. Oh yes, when I tried the winter sowing a few years ago, the containers were put out in the elements. I have actually tried it a few times....following the advise from the winter-sowing forum and the Canadian winter sowing forum.

A friend of mine suggested that I try putting them in the greenhouse on the shelf. Its not heated during the winter. She said that it worked for her.....so I thought I would try that. Our climate is so different here even from other z2's. So I am trying that. Actually I don't really care if these seeds go or not. I am not counting on them. I just didn't want to throw the seed in the garbage. LOL! Eeeekkkss if they all sprout, I have no idea where I would put them.:O

Sierra

Well Sierra if they all sprout it will be a good problem to have! :)
I am WSing this year for the first time and I believe that I will have so many plants that I am either going to be really popular or people will run when they see me coming LOL!

Well, I have looked at their forum, posted a question there. I had tried to sow before, and it didn't work out well. I don't have lights or a heat mat. It makes me a little nervous, but I may be willing to give it a try.I have a little greenhouse with a plastic cover that goes over the entire frame, but how would I place the light? I'm not wanting to suspend anything from my ceiling, and I also have a young cat who is into everything, so that's another concern. I got the greenhouse from Menards about three years ago, tried it, but ended up losing everything I planted. It was alot of work, so that's another reason I'm nervous to try again, plus, I don't have alot of money to throw around experimenting. There is much to learn still, I'm just not 100% confident in my ability to do the winter sowing.
Thanks for those who can relate.

Hi Primgal,
I just looked for your post on the "winter sowing" forum and could not find it. Looks like it may be lost in space. Are you sure you were on the right forum?

The beauty of winter sowing is that it is cheap and does not require lights, heat mats or greenhouses. I use gallon milk jugs which are free so the only expense is soil and seeds. If you aren't sure about it start with alyssum and snapdragons that you can usually pick up at Walgreens or Walmart for 10/$1.00. Both of those flowers winter sow great and sprout really early. And the best part is, you get to actually start planting now while you have the fever! I hope you try it. You'll have lots of nice babies to plant in the garden when things thaw out.

Mechele

Primgal, I have about 39 containers (mostly 2 litre bottles) of seeds outside in my backyard right now. They are all frozen solid and covered in a light dusting of snow. No lights, heat or trying to find enough space to house them inside. No worrying about fungus gnats, damping off or seedlings getting spindly from lack of light.
This is my first year and I am loving it so far!! :)

AH I remember the year I did winersowing. you could hardly walk on my deck. Stuff was everywhere. But here I am again with spring fever and it is flipping cold out. I ordered my dahlias, got seed catalogues coming in the mail (the deluge will start this week I am sure) and wondering how I am going to make room amongst all the junk in my basement for the grow light. I live in this complex where they are uptightl with a capital "U" over what is outside on our personal patio space so wintersowing will be out of the question. (Hmmm maybe if I put up my little plastic 4-tier zippered greenhouse and do some in there......)

Maybe it was on the seed growing forum, I know it was one of them. I do "lurk" alot on some of the forums because I don't have as much knowledge in certain areas.
So, I can just start planting now, and set them outside, no worries about lights and heat? If this is the case, I can handle this. Do I need to get "sterile" soil?
I certainly appreciate all the advice.
Thank you.

For directions on winter sowing: There is a FAQ in the line above the forum title. Just click on it and there are very detailed instructions along with pictures.

Hope this might help.

I think any seeds that self sow would be good candidates for this method.

The link to the wintersowing site (not the forum) is below.
You will find lots to read, so go and get growing!! ;>)
It is lots of fun and the concept is so simple. I am going to be able to actually grow the plants that I want to this year. I normally had to choose the one or two or maybe three plants that I most wanted to do because of lack of space and then I worried about all the usual things (lack of light, bugs, disease)
This is the answer to all that!! :)

Here is a link that might be useful: wintersown.org

I am also going stir crazy. i havent been able to winter sow at all for the last week or so due to my back injury. i did manage to get 14 done yesterday, but i paid for it physically. it is so gorgeous outside right now. the sun is shining not a cloud in the sky. of course it's only 22 degrees but hey it looks good out there.
Primgal, i have 80 containers sitting outside in this cold and i have no fear they wont all germinate. i know my zone is way different from yours but it does work. heres a pic of my completally winter sown garden last year. well, not totally completally but close. there are before and after pics if you have the time to look.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Greylady gardener, haha, I can see it now....quick run here comes that lady trying to give me plants again. Wait...I think I have that reputation already....especially with purple and white bearded iris. LOL!

Primgal36, Not all seeds can be winter sowed. If the instructions say they need heat..like 80 degrees...then I wouldn't try them. But most of the ordinary seeds can be winter sowed in your zone. I don't want to discourage you.....my zone is very different than most. And don't forget you can also just sprinkle or plant some seed right in place in very early spring. Doesn't help with the winter blahs, but sure makes it easier. Ask as many questions as you want here....there is a great bunch here always willing to help...we all asked a lot of questions when we started out too.

Hey Triple b, what dahlias did you order this year and from where? I am starting pom pon and cactus dahlias from seed this year. Then I plan on seeing what Costco has in the bags this year when the $3 coupon is on in March. I really loved the small single dahlias I got from there last year. Guess its time to pop over to the dahlia forum. :)

Sierra

Flowerchild viewing your slideshow was a real treat on this cold grey morning. Winter sowing certainly has payed off for you. I'm loving all your glorious color and that split rail fence, I'm jealous. Thanks for sharing your garden with us.
Annette

I'm also back into garden planning mode. I know I've been gone from the forum for a while, what with the holidays and then we were on vacation. (Did you know there is an entire set of forums for planning Disneyworld vacations??? Highly addicting!) But, I'm back, and need to get planning for this year's garden projects! I'd winter-sow, but I still need to figure out what I want to plant where! I did buy a random pack of seeds at Target, because it caught my eye, and I knew I'd never remember the name to buy it again, lol!

Flowerchild,
Amazing pictures! Can I vacation at your house next summer? I promise I'll help weed!

Central New Mexico is having a mild winter. We did get that Arctic blast of cold temps last week, which was not fun.

We get most of our moisture in August, monsoon season. Because it has been a rather dry winter, I spent almost three hours dragging hoses around to water everything today. One of my spigots was frozen, but luckily the other one was functioning. I had to string three hoses together to reach everything.

I bought a bouquet of roses. It brings me good cheer to have a large bouquet gracing a table in my great room.

Lorna

Thank you for the input. Flowerchild, I liked the picture of your garden, very nice.
I know I won't be able to sow many things in this fashion, but am willing to try some others. I will go back over to the post and read.
What I did get here lately, I can't do the winter sowing. I haven't done much with the annuals, because my focus has primarily been, perennials,roses, and shrubs. However, I did buy some annual seeds to place in various areas.
I placed an order with another seed company yerterday, so I did get some of the perennial hebs and a few other items I'm looking for.
Thank you for all your help.

thanks ladies on the positive comments. i needed them today. it's still so gorgeous here and i still cant go outside. apparently, i have to go back to the dr again for the a-ok. i went out yesterday for a while just walking around and am paying for it today.
I am planning on re-doing some of those beds this yr. i was givin 300 or so dahlia's that i need to find places for. alot of them are the same but none of them are named or have a color on them. plus, i am going to enlarge my veggie beds. and i need another arbor for the hops i am going to grow. i'm still waiting for my grape arbor to be finished. the 4x4 posts are up. thats a start.plus, i need to sand down and restain a bench...and the list goes on. i found an old window. that is totally cool. way bigger than i thought it was. my son got it for me. i can't even sit up to scrapbook so i am literally going crazy!!!!! i hope ya'll are enjoying your selfs because i am living thru you for now!!! and that makes me happy!!
Tanya

I'm trying very hard not to think about planting! Mostly because of our continued drought. The governor has asked each household to limit water to 35 gallons per day per household. While we're on a well, we still try to do what those on water systems are doing. All outdoor watering is banned here. Hard to think about planting until we see the drought end.

I'll just watch what all of you are doing and live vicariously through your plantings and blooms!

Cameron