I personally would wait until spring when you are sure they will have plenty of time to sprout and adjust. Our weather has been so weird this year and I wouldn't doubt we could have a very early frost. Figure the seeds would take a couple of weeks to sprout, then should have at least two months to grow before it gets cold.

I wouldn't completely count on that scenario at this late date.

I am told late November or early December are good. You need to do it after the ground cools so the seed won't germinate. or you could probably do it sometime from mid April on.

So if I wait until late Nov,do I mulch the seeds?It suddenly struck me to plant them like I would tulips.Just before the first hard frost so they don't try to grow.I think I will risk it,as I can't face to fungus gnats.Mulching is my concern now.Thanks.

Betsy

I'm thinking of trying a few here too----I though dec or jan----
I just have some seed a friend gave me, some pods I had from untaged dl from the farmer market and a few from DA--
It's a small bed by my pond that I have a fence around----good sun--who knows--I just can't wait---I'm in z7 but in the mountians we have all sorts of little mirco climate--depents on elevation-
when I figure how to post pic I'll love to share with all some pic of my little place in the woods----co

I would definitely plant them late. I have had some success doing that. The best way for me is to put them in ziplock baggies in the fridge with some potting soil in March and then pull them out in May. That method has worked best for me.

I read that someone was direct-sowing them after harvesting, and I tried only a few times, but it never worked. I imagine they were in a warmer zone than ours.

Good luck, and let us know if it works for you!

My only problem with late fall sowing is that every now and then you get a few weeks of unseasonably warm weather and I would worry that the seeds would germinate then and die as soon as the ground re-freezes. I don't understand the fungus knat thing since they would be stored in the frig until spring and then direct sowed. I think I missed something.

Anyway, I would absolutely go with the direct sowing rather than starting in pots which, in my experience sets them back considerably.

What about putting a mosquito ring in the bottom of your watering can? Someone else posted that solution on this forum, and I'm hoping it will work.

Hi Betsy,

I've tried planting daylily seeds in early fall, but anything that doesn't sprout before the snow falls never makes it. So out of a dozen or so seeds, I would end up with only one or two that actually make it. The little seedlings are amazingly winter hardy, though!

If you have to plant them in the fall, my thought is that you should plant them now, during fall planting season, and be careful not to let them dry out, and see how many you germinate before it gets too cold.

I usually try to wait to until the temperatures average about 65 degrees in the spring before I plant the seeds. The early spring freezes and snow doesn't seem to bother them. I get so much better germination this way.

Marbree

The fungus gnat thing is starting them indoors over winter.
I am going to try the mosquito dunks,as I have other houseplants on the porch that bring the gnats in. I will try to hold out until spring,but I have some wins from the LA that I may not be able to resist!
Thank you all for the input.

Betsy