I wholeheartedly agree with all that has been said, but here's another wonderful thing about gardening. We moved into a brand new neighborhood five years ago, and homes are still being built all around us. As new neighbors come, I am out in my yard "doing". It's easy to say hello, and strike up a conversation since you're out anyway. As a matter of fact, I planned a streetside flower border for that express purpose. I want to know my neighbors! I am very proud to report that although this is a pretty pricey, gated community, so far every neighbor, but one, does at least part of their own gardening and lawn care. I believe it's "peer pressure". I was here almost first. I enjoy it, I'm proud of it, and I share plants and tips. Gardening has brought us together as a community. Just tonight the OB/GYN across the street who had never owned a lawn mower till he moved here, brought me two bare-root DAYLILIES that he and his wife bought at the garden show they attended on their vacation last week! He bought a dozen for himself and has already planted them! I personally consider that a triumph! :) Gardening is about the perfect hobby in my opinion. It can be expensive, but it can also be very inexpensive. It can be exotic, spiritual, AND practical. Virtually any age, gender, educational level or social class can do it. There's a place for the artistically inclined, for the o-c collector, and for the totally practical types. You are never too young and (almost) never too old. You can garden if you own acres of land, and garden if you only have a single pot. And finally...I feel very close to God in my garden. After all, that's where life began.

Things I have learned my first year wintersowing??? 1. There is always someone on this site who can answer your question no matter what. 2. Only plant the seeds that you really want, because everything will germinate. 3. Marigold seedlings do not like frost. 4. When planting out, don't let a certain friend help you (that way the plant markers will make it to the same place as the plant) 5. Separate the garden from the dog... or you will end up with just the dog. 6. Grow veggies that family members enjoy, and they will help you maintain the garden 7. Don't keep track of stuff on an old laptop. That way when your laptop crashes, you don't lose all of your info. 8. Don't plan too much...wintersowing gives you way more plants than you ever plan on.

In many areas of SoCal you need to plan farther ahead fall color. I find many of my summer flowers will bloom into early December with deadheading (Hemerocalis 'Russian Rhapsody', Rudbeckia 'Indian Summer', Gaillardia, to name a few). Fall becomes a plan for December-March flowers, and the inserting the annual-grown perennials that go until I yank their tired little bodies out of the soil (dianthus, pansies). Freesias are a great one to plant, if you are not in too cold an area. Best deal I know of is a bag for $12 from CostCo in the fall; they will bloom every spring and multiply, so you really only need to purchase them once. Kalanchoe Mirabella can provide red flowers January-April every year. Bletilla is another amazing performer that blooms from about February-May for me. They aren't invasive, but they do grow quickly and can be divided. I started out with 2 small rhizomes, and now there are so many I used them en mass in a sidewalk strip. As Bahia said, it depends upon where you live. Are you looking for sun or shade plants?

Karalynn and teeka, cassia bicapsularis is a great idea. I will have to think of where I can put a couple in the future. My neighbor has one that is gorgeous right now, and teeka, I remember seeing yours from your video...stunning. Ariel, I don't know why, but I kill all my salvias. I can't grow them. Have tried several types several times. I've seen your beauties though. Maybe next spring I'll try again. Yes, my coleus is looking raggedy, and I'm worried about tonight and what that's going to do to my heliconias that are just starting to bloom. Teeka, I do have a dombeya seminole that is just starting to bloom- nothing like yours. It doesn't get as much sun as it used to, but still very pretty. It just goes to show that it's important to have good 'bones' in your yard to take the spotlight when other stuff gets bitten back. It's just so early, though. Anna