Ive already done a few (hehehe) I had some fresh azure monkshood and delphiniums that I wanted to get in the dirt ASAP, so I started with that and followed with lupines, hollyhock mallow and some montbrietta (also wanted to get that in fresh). Limiting myself to perennials that actuallY NEED the cold for now. I think I made a mistake in DSing some california poppies in the beds in front, not sure if that was a good idea or not. Not sure if the seeds should be frozen, not sure if the slugs and earwigs will eat them as soon as they sprout. I think tomorrow Ill do balloon flowers (I got pink --I hope).

Annie, come on over to the Wintersowing forum, you'll find tons of tips from "all us oldies, that have been WS for years now. One of the key important things is to have good soil in those containers. Don't use cheap soil. things like hyponex, or top soil. You end up with some lovely "soil bricks" but no germination. Don't use seed starting mix or anything like garden soil from your own yard or miracle grow garden soil. Seeds won't germinate in them. Don't use any commercial potting mix that has the soil retention pellets in them either. It will soak up soil like a sponge and rot your seeds. I'm one that uses miracle grow potting mix for all my containers and can vouch for the bad soil as well. My first 50 containers, 7 years ago, turned to bricks and not a seed germinated. The remaining 900 containers where done with miracle grow potting mix and everyone germinated. Since then I have had near 100% see germination every year. The real problem is dealing with whatever mother nature wants to throw at us, and being New Englanders, we all know she will throw everything at us and there is no way around it. Since starting to WS 7 years ago, there is barely a plant I have purchased, as I really have no need for them. There is always way more seedlings to plant than I have room for and never fear that if I don't' like something, I will pull it out and give it away. There is always something else to plant in it's place. Marlene, you are going to freeze your gizzards off doing you WS outside in the cold. Terrene is correct too. You will have frozen soil, if it is left outside, and you have to have access to running water to get the soil wet before planting the seeds and putting them out. My kitchen is my WS room. My back door is right there, and as I get the containers done, out the back door they go, out to the backyard inside a chain link fenced area. All containers go directly on the ground and then "mother nature" does her thing, and believe me she has done some real surprises. Yet those WS seedlings are pretty, pretty hardy. I've had them survive floating in 12 inches of rain as the ducks swam beside and around them, attacks of various critters, and they just sprout new stems and branch out before I get a chance to prune any of them. Just as long as we don't get a repeat of last years summer, here are some pics of what you can get from WS. The pics are from 2008 garden beds Almost all annual bed. dianthus firewitch on either side of bird bath, candylily and a perennial lupin in the bed. Ends up looking like this from WS seedlings WS Lupin from 4 years ago foxglove seedlings, hardy ones Turned into this the next year Herb bed from seed, includes, oregano, sage, parsely, 4 types of basil, rosemary, tarragon, dill, chives, garlic chives, tomato seedlings all end up like this Fran

Luck of the weather always helps too. Two weeks ago we had 6 sunny days that were 80 85 87 90 90 73. That is a great October blast that our potted cocos would normally never get. This past weekend has been sunny and 68 81 76 (today). Again three nice warm sunny days here near November that they would normally never get. That brings us closer to when they can go out agian next May. If you have a coconut (or just about any other palm) that is a manageable size hget them in full sun anytime it's in the 60s. If it will get too cold move them in for the night and take out the next day. Sun, Sun and more Sun.

Hello Everyone!!! You all up north really were hit extra hard...I can't believe you have 4-5 feet! Unbelievable weather.. We did hit a record for VB, 14 -15 inches...and every thing is shut down...back roads are still a mess..the main streets are still down to one lane.... Trishmick...I know what you mean about working for FedEx, my brother and I had a small franchise with Airborne Express 10-15 years ago...and had 10 or so routes. Those years were the best that i can remember..as far as being in great shape! My hat is off to you and what you do for us...hope the snow melts fast for you, but with that much snow it will probably take a while. Be extra careful all of you up north Thinking of all of you on this snowy day!!! Laura in VB