Congratulations! I came home tonight to see my first hosta sprouts of the season as well! I "wintersow" mine, but not in the traditional sense - I just sow mine in 4 inch containers and leave them out for the winter. They take the rain and snow just fine, I just have to make sure not to put them in the drip line of the house or anywhere that rain would be concentrated. I've never had luck with the covered winter sowing method, and I've read of plenty of people who tried it my way and didn't get a thing to grow. Probably the best way is to try a bunch of different things and see what works for you. But it sounds like you're doing it right if you have babies! BTW, I sow my seeds in the very best potting mix I can get my hands on. It really is worth it when you see how much better the seedlings do. At this point I wouldn't worry about the mossy growth, you can take care of that when you transplant them. I leave my hosta seedlings until they get crowded and since they are mostly mini and smalls they can fit 3 or 4 to a container the first year. Larger seedlings get potted up for the local plant swap when they start crowding the others. Sherri09 is right, they do seem to like being moved around but I'm usually too busy to worry about it until they need it.

Liz, I think leaving my plants behind was harder then the whole move ! I was heart sick...I havent drove by to see it either, dont have the heart. There are college students living there now, I am sure they arent doing anthing with them...I would of said I would come back for them..but thought they would think I was nuts..LOL One of my fav plants in hellebours, which to be honest I havent grown yet. I hope to be trying some seed this yr. I like too many plants to list..my daughter loves gerbera daisies, so she always asks for them. Last spring my Dh dug out plant beds for me.. but there isnt really anything in the yet. I had a few annuals last yr.. but nothing much. Someone gave me some hostas, and one sedum plant, they are coming back this yr. And my father bought me some bulbs on sale last fall, they are coming up.. but look lost with nothing around them. I have been doing a few s.a.s.b.e. but will be a bit before I receive them. Epididiums? Is that the latin name ? havent heard of that one ? Ill try to google it. Sea Holly isnt one I know either. I have been learning a lot this year. my want list is growing sooo long...my Dh said he is going to have to get another job just to pay for plants and yard items, grin. I dont have much to offer, but I would be interested in a trade, I could also look and see if there is anything you would like...my stuff is mostly common.. but let me kno. I purchased a few tropical bulbs this year, first time for me growing them. I started them inside, as this weather this year has been sooo unpredictable. They are growing well, I could share at the end of the season, if you are interested. I lost some of my seeds this year, i started a bit early and the weather wasnt as nice as last yr.. I am going to give sowing in the garden a try this year, I usualy do them all inside in early spring. How do you grow yours ? Thanks for talking ! I am in RI, near the coast.. it is zone6(old zones) or 7 ( new zones).. never sure which one to say ??

Hi, Ken, Well, interesting points. I know some of the genetics that you're referring to, from this forum and other sources. Wintersowing is basically creating individual mini greenhouses for seeds rather than directly sowing into the ground. Put them out and forget them until the spring when they sprout. I plan to do the hosta seeds mostly for the enjoyment of it. I've read of others here that plant their seeds indoors in the winter for spring planting. Wintersowing eliminates the need for indoor space and lighting. Sometime last year our Hosta Society had a speaker (I think it was Bob Solberg) who suggested that if we run out of room for new hostas, dig up the ones you can live without and plant the new ones there. I earmarked several plants and had folks lined up to take them when (unbelievably) my husband told me I could NOT give them away because they were so beautiful!! (They are mostly undulatas from my early years of growing hostas). I found space elsewhere, lots of space, and I would like to put my seedlings there for now, to help fill it out and to save some serious money. I can always move or give them away down the road. As you know, most folks only know of the "green" and the "green and white" hostas, and are happy to give them a home. Also, a friend has a landscaping business and will happily take any seedlings I give to her. Again, to lots of folks, a hosta is a hosta. ...And who knows, I may end up with something unique! And it gives me some gardening to do in the winter. Vivian

How warm is it in your area? Hosta may germinate best at approx. 70F, too much warmer and germination could be delayed. If you can sow at around 70F and don't find germination in three or 4 weeks, putting your seed pots into the refrigerator for a moist chill of even a couple of weeks may encourage them to germinate when brought back to warm. You are probably looking at early July minimum for seedlings. That could be early enough for seedlings planted in the fall and mulched for winter - or do you have a cold frame where you could semi-protect them this winter? I know of nothing that will act as a border and stop ivy. It will go over, up, and through anything. Keeping it cut back may be your best course of action. We removed 95% of the ivy here when we bought the property. It still comes over and under the fence from next door on one side, but cutting it about twice a year is keeping it under control. I did leave one circle of ivy around the base of a tree at the top of our drive, after cutting it out of the tree and not allowing it to climb. The deer trim it back severely every winter and spring and its stayed somewhat well behaved the last three years in a dry, sloped spot.