I am in zone 5 very northern Missouri. Last year I did not get to ws. However, the two years prior I did ws my tomatoes and zinnias with wonderful results. Two weeks ago I pulled one container of heirloom tomatoes from outside and stuck it under my lights. I had to pot up those tomatoes this weekend and I now have 23 heirloom tomatoes that are about 2 inches plus in height and very healthy. After my results I am happy to know I should have plenty of plants for everyone in the family to plant. Good luck with your ws! cristi

Rebecca, welcome to the Wintersowing forum! I'm in zone 5 too, and wintersowing has allowed me to grow much more from seed than I could before, since I simply don't have the space indoors. Here are the vegetables that I have wintersown: Lettuce Spinach Swiss Chard Broccoli Peas Tomatoes Cucumbers and canteloupes I did using the wintersowing method, but in late May Herbs - basil (late April), dill, lavender, marjoram, oregano, parsley, perilla, rosemary, sage, spearmint Really about the only things that I don't wintersow for the garden, are carrots, since they don't always transplant well, and peppers, because our growing season is just too short to do them that way. I've included a link to Wintersown.org's list of vegetables for wintersowing, which may help as well. Start saving those containers, and buy plenty of potting mix before winter gets here! Bonnie Here is a link that might be useful: Wintersown.org - Vegetables for wintersowing

Chelty, I hear you on the weather changes. You never know from day to day. I had great success last year with wintersowing, though - not more than 4-5 containers that didn't work out. I lost all count of the number I planted but probably around 150. Like Pam, I kept my containers out of direct afternoon sun. I have a deck that gets dappled shade all day. That seemed to work very well. The only problems I had (and they were not deal breakers) were the late freeze we had last year and trying to keep containers moist once they sprouted and were uncovered. That is probably as much on account of my work schedule as zone since I'm away from home for at least 10 hours a day. I hope the freeze was just a freak thing. Even so, I only lost some very tender annuals that I did not cover. Quite a lot of plants had already been planted out by then (early April) and they weathered the freeze just fine!

I am finishing with a total of 137 for Zone 6. Brad if you are reading this. I don't know how to send messages to anyone. I would like to know if you want to trade for some Lynchis 'Burning Love'. T's Flower's and Things are sold out of them. I am following you. I don't know how to get around this site.