I'm thinking the marigolds should wait. I don't know about the rest. I already have some bachelor button sprouts--I hope they'll transplant. I personally direct sow my zuccini when it is a little warmer here. While I have transplanted squash, they weren't that happy with me. I won't even start them (in Texas) until end of march or begining of april. I'm sorry that I can't give any advice on winter sowing them (although I have loofas sprouting and I think they are in the cucumber family). Alison

Oxmyx - we have a shorter summer in our zone then others do, especially for plumeria as they do need warmer minimum temperatures. I have a few links on these as I just received a couple from an eBay seller from Thailand who actually has phytocertificates. Another area of research. Here's a few of my favorites links that I favor. I also read no water after one watering all winter while it's in dormacy (no leaves growing) with or without roots. I know that's a hard one to swallow so I had to do some serious research to be sure of this. And it's so. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/plumeria/?18958 I really like this one . http://www.plumeria101.com/index.html http://www.azplumeria.org/plumiinfo.htm I haven't really checked this one out thoroughly but lots of good links and probably too much info but good to double/triple check with. http://www.theplumeriasociety.org/spps/ahpg.cfm?spgid=20 I have 20 links or so on just these, do you want more? lol Just some links of pictures for those who want to tempt themselves...lol...it got me...Karyn dear, your not allowed to look. OK fine, just find your favorite(s) buy them and be done with them. I don't know how else to help you and a few of you others! http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/bridges/plumeria/plumeria.htm http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/b/Apocynaceae/Plumeria/none/cultivar/0 http://www.azplumeria.org/plumiinfo.htm

Welcome newbie in nj. The first year is one of questions and wondering if this is going to REALLY work. I have had such good germination and growth through wintersowing that my problem is too many seedlings so this last time I sowed thinly for those that I expected to HOS. If I wanted 4-6 plants and the seed isn't tiny I sowed 9-12 seeds per milk jug and even then had more seedlings than needed. I place 2-3 seeds in a 2L if I want 1 tomato/pepper seedling. I keep some seed as a back up plan. Perhaps the seedling got eaten by critters after it was planted out, or stepped on, or the first container didn't germinate, or seedling got frosted. Maybe I will want more of those seedlings another year and wasn't able to collect seed. Then I still have some seed to try again. I do not sow multiple containers unless I want lots of that plant. Haven't needed two containers of sprouts or two containers which didn't sprout. If I'm not sure if I should winter sow or wait until spring then I will winter sow and if they haven't germinated by spring I might sow another container then. As for spacing, many of us ignore all spacing requirements not only when sowing but also when planting out. With HOS it doesn't matter if the spacing is as stated. The strongest seedling will survive or a clump of seedlings will grow. I think having so many seedlings encourages us to plant them closer together with intermingling lush plantings resulting. Most seeds can be stored for many years. Search "storing seeds" here or on the seed collecting and other sites for more discussion on how others store seeds and for germination tests. I use seeds for years. Germination is sometimes lower but I still have too many seedlings. My tomato seeds still germinate well after four years. I don't know what "raw seed" is in referring to grass. I sow a shallow gallon pot lightly with grass seed. Then plant out as a clump or divide into two or four clumps. Little Bluestem doesn't get all that tall. Big Bluestem gets much taller. I love the multiple colors shading Little Bluestem. Bunny Tails looked great planted as one clump. Have fun and remember that you can always sow more seed in the spring, in the summer, in the fall or the next winter. I have family who spend their time in Clifton or on a farm in NY. In which part of NJ are you located? Bobbie

I don't "need" seeds either but there's a few that I want anyway. lol I grew a lot of mixed zinnias last year and didn't save any seeds. I'll have more volunteers than I want though. I'd still like to buy some single colors to mass. Pam - Are your zinnias, marigolds and cosmos all seeds that you saved from summer or did you go crazy buying them on Sunday? I bought a whole stack of seed packets when Dollar General had theirs on clearance at the end of summer. I can't remember how much they were - maybe less than a dime apiece. I couldn't pass it up. Helen - I'm looking forward to photos this summer from yours and Pams' pallets of plants. Ceresone - Postage makes a difference. Stokes is high too for a small order. I wanted some melon seeds that they had but they were 6.50 a packet and minimum postage was six something too so I decided I could go without them.