I've been doing this for years here in Michigan. Far easier than trying to get corn, especially the fussy Sh2's, to germinate in cold soil. Don't let them get too much taller than the size of the pot -- if potbound, they can get stunted. So, in your 4" tubes, try to transplant them out when not a lot bigger than 4 to about 6 inches tops. If it's too cold to go out yet, you can bump them up to bigger pots, which is fine -- the goal is to just keep them growing, rather than have them stall out and get stunted because they are too big for the little volume of soil they're in. Overall, I'd say about 3 to 4 weeks from sowing to transplant is probably about right, but it's going to depend a lot on how warm your greenhouse is, whether or not your heat it (especially at night) and whether or not you have bright sunny weather or rain and gloom, which slows it down considerably. Also, be sure to give them plenty of fertilizer and try to use something with trace elements. I've found that certain ones have a real propensity to develop nutritional issues in the flat, I think because of the heavy watering needed to keep them going under hot conditions.

How do you come by coupons? And Franknjim, I like Secret Ambition's leaf look, which seems to have the same pattern as Satisfaction. My NOID is, I have decided (to my own satisfaction) is SATISFACTION, and it is a lovely plant. Late last summer I ordered and then left town before they arrived, which is why I have so many I never saw growing. I also had an order from Plant Delights that I had to cancel because they could not ship (high temps) before I left town. I love to read Tony Avent's plant descriptions, so I keep the paper catalog for great cover art too. It's getting to the point I think of the hosta as having personalities.

Ceresone, I think you are wise to listen to your body. Tell us what you are doing this year after a winter of thought about it. Sometimes I forget my age and get after myself for not doing things as quickly and easily as I did when I was 37, 47, 57 ... 6 ... I can't say it. If I'm not stronger, I hope I'm a little smarter! Helen, I made alfalfa tea for the roses last spring. I didn't put molasses in it, but would have, had I read William's post first. The roses were on steriods for a couple of weeks -- some bloomed that had never bloomed well. And it really smelled bad after a few days of fermenting, but I plunked a lid on it and held my nose. It was worth it. I put the dregs in the compost. I buy my alfalfa at Wal-Mart, a 10# bag, Small World brand rabbit food. Just alfalfa pellets. I can't carry or store a 50# bag of it that I could buy at a feed store, even though it would be less expensive. I put a handful or so in the compost pile when I think of it. It smells good in the bag. Sunny

Good luck i think you should try the arctictropical method of protecting them with foam boxes with light bulbs. He is also in Utah.