Hi Fran...I was wondering where you were. [g] That is a nice tip about the glass. I usually water the container first, sprinkle the seeds and then mist them with a spray bottle and felt that was as good as pressing them into the soil. Anything that recommends just covering, I use sifted potting soil to put as thin a layer over them as I can. You had to ask which seeds are giving me trouble...lol. Now I have to go back and check my list...okay, from last year's winter sown list... Delphiniums of course, are the worst. Less than 50% the first year and last year I think I got 4 plants out of two packages of seed. I would love a nice patch of them. I did notice that I didn't get to collecting seed from them in time last year and I am pretty sure I saw some reseeding around the base of one of the plants. Then later in the fall, we spread compost and I forgot and I am pretty sure someone covered those little seedlings up with compost. So I am doubting they are going to show up next year. I do realize that the seed has to be really fresh and I have only used fresh seed, so I wondered if I was doing something wrong. Seeds that I had no germination with last year.... Aconitum, two containers. Traded seeds from two seperate people. Astilbe, Corydalis sempervirens Filipendula Stylophorum diphyllum Veronicastrum Shortia Daylily Phlox paniculata Helianthus maximillian Thalictrum Seeds that I had low germination with.... Nasturtiums which I spring sowed Hosta California Poppy Hibiscus Echinacea Penstemon Primula That's about it. Everything else had pretty good germination rates. This year, I managed to hit the T&M 50% off sale and I am trying to follow their directions on the packets. Seeds that I anticipate having difficulty are either new to me or repeats of seeds I have tried before... Ammi Brachycome Daylily Delphiniums California Poppies Hosta Lobelia Monkshood Nemesia Penstemon Primula Salvia coccinea Venidum Thanks Fran, It was a good exercise to go through the list and see what was giving me trouble. Have you had any experience with any of these seed? pm2

Jocye last spring I have tried inground with brugseeds. After they would not germinate for me anyplace else. I guess the birds got to those since I had only ONE sprout and then it was gone. So no more inground sowing for me. That was last year. Over the winter I have started so many seeds indoors and the germination rate was like 90 %. Last ones from Karyn, Cherup x ? started indoors and been outdoors since the nights are warmer and got I believe 7 little seedlings. Now the Datura's. I really did should not have bothered with indoor sowing. I should have just thrown them anywhere. Because that is what I did with the leftovers...LOTS of them hahaha and they are popping up like weeds! Oh and for me to start seeds in containers is a lot easier to keep track of what is what with the labeling. Good luck Jocye. Lucy

thanks so much, all. VB - I have a spot I could use which is what made me ask the question. I wanted to plant zinnias and other cutting flowers too. Fresh salads....how good that must be. I haven't planted lettuces or radishes yet - maybe this fall I can get some space for that. mrsgalihad - I winter sow too - this year was not such a good year. Did you see any difference? And yes, I think a lot of seedlings look weedy - I know exactly what you mean. I have to let them grow a bit before plucking. Nell - I've been using pots myself so far. And I did have rooted cuttings of a pussywillow --that is until DH weedwhacked right through it! This is the first year I'm growing larkspur. I got the seeds in an exchange, but I have to say they don't look like the pictures. They're single cobalt blue flowers on a delicate ferny-like stem and maybe about 5 or 6 inches high.

Yes to all but the tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers because they take a long time to grow from seed and we usually can't/shouldn't grow them in the hottest part of summer.