It really does depend on which salvia you have. Most of the blue and purple ones are perennial, because most of them come from Eastern Europe. Most of the red ones are more tropical, so it isn't that they are annuals, it's just that they can't tolerate freezing temperatures. There are exceptions, though, as salvia greggii comes in red and fuschia, and it is hardy, as is hot lips, which is red and white. And salvia guaranitica, which includes Black & Blue, can tolerate freezing but isn't hardy in colder zones. That said, my salvia coccinea does re-seed, as does salvia subrotunda. But if they sprout too early, the frost will kill them. Wintersowing provides a warmer environment, which might encourage them to sprout earlier than seeds that fall on the ground. To be safe, I would say do them with your annuals, or else plant some seeds now, and if the containers don't have any sprouts, add some seeds when it is a bit warmer. It is hard when you don't know the variety. Becky

Hi Liz - Yes, I'm sort of making my own botanical garden. The two main flower gardens total 3000 square feet. I plan to establish about 150 - 250 different types of flowers there and those will end up being personal nursery stock and seed farm plants to use to expand out to other parts of our land. It should also give me plenty of flowers to fuss over and enjoy. We'll also be using tire gardens as nursery beds for plants that need richer soil or better water retention than they can get in the main garden. Outside of the main garden the next places to colonize with flowers have less hospitable growing conditions, but the tougher plants should be able to grow there if transplants go in at the right time (before seasonal rains) or if direct sown really heavily. Those areas are another 3000 sq ft section of slope along our driveway, a 10,000 sq ft plot of hillside outside of our fenced "goatland" area, and a 1000 x 20 swatch of road frontage and rock outcroppings (also outside of goatland.) But the ultimate master plan is to seed farm enough seed to direct sow heavily in our 15 acre fenced goatland area and have sufficient seed so that there's a chance that at least a couple of plants reach flowering stage before the goats eat them. This year I have an additional 40,000 or so seeds (beyond the 42,000+ WS seeds) that I'll direct sow into goat land. Next winter and in Spring 2010 I want to be able to have buckets and buckets full of flower seed to direct sow out there. I like the idea of the goats and cow strolling through hills full of posies. :) As crazy as it sounds, it's actually going to be cheaper than buying and sowing plain old pasture grass seed. A lot more work, maybe, but that personal botanical garden will make it all worth it. I think that long term my personal botanical garden is going to be made up of lots of perennials and then whatever annuals do really well with WS methods (both January and April/May sowings). Any plant that needs more fuss than that is likely to get replaced with someone who's more agreeable. In upcoming years I expect my WS numbers to drop off quite a bit but my seed saving amounts to go utterly crazy. Confining the sowing and planting out to Winter and early Spring ~should~ leave me time to actually enjoy the flowers. It should be cool if it works! And if it doesn't I'll just fill my garden with four o'clocks, comos, zinnias and white marigolds and enjoy it anyway. I think it's going to work, though. Lynda

I am using pro-mix for professionals that I buy from a greenhouse or a good garden center. To sow regular perennials or annuals, I use only pro-mix but when I sow more delicate plants such as alpine and rock garden plants, I use pro-mix and add grit or small vermiculite, half and half. The mixture allows a perfect drainage and it is easier when comes the time to divide the seedlings and transplant. Sometimes, especially for sowing paeonies, I use only pure sand. Using soil is dangerous as the seedlings will have more tendancy to damp off. If you need more help, you can contact me. Denyse, President of the Quebec Alpine and rock garden Society Here is a link that might be useful: Quebec Alpine and Rock Garden Society

I think it would be best to explain what a "good posting" is by showing an example, and then breaking it down and showing "why" it is good. Let's pretend that "Gardener_Jane" has made a post that she has seeds to offer for trade. The following is her post: "Here's my list! All these seeds came from plants that were Winter Sown or reseeded in my garden. They are all hardy, beautiful, and easy to grow". *Perennials* Aquilegia (columbine, grape colored flowers) Aquilegia mix (columbines, nice selection from my garden) Asclepias Incarnata (swamp milkweed, pink flowers, will grow in dry dirt) Campanula Latifolia (mountain bells, purple flowers) Campanula Medium (Canterbury bells...nice mix) Coreopsis Mix (1'-2' mix of strong golden flowers) Hibiscus Militaris (halberd-leaved marshmallow) Inula Helenium (inula) Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry' (fountain grass "black moudry") Tanacetum Parthenium (feverfew) Tanacetum Vulgare (common tansy) Vernonia Gigantea (giant ironweed) *Annuals* Cerise Celosia (celosia...candle type, cherry pink flowers) Cosmos Sulphureus (bright lights cosmos) Daneborg Lace poppy (papaver somniferum, red and white flowers) Morning Glories (lavender) Nicandra Physaloides (aka shoo fly, apple of Peru, black pod) Nicotiana Rustica (Aztec tobacco, greenish-yellow flowers) Nigella (blue flowers, nice for drying...weird pods!) *Veggies and Herbs* Italian Parsley Bok Choy Ruby Beets Bright Lights Swiss Chard Soldier Beans (12 seeds per pack) I'm looking to trade for other flower varieties I can Winter Sow in my zone seven garden. I am also interested in growing oriental veggies, ornamental grasses, and roses from seeds. I usually mail seeds out within 48 to 72 hours after making a trade, and I send my seeds protected with bubblewrap. I'd like you to do the same for me please. If you need to make other arrangements all it takes is an email...I'm very flexible. Thanks for looking at my list! Gardener_Jane Okay! Great post Jane ;-) Let's break it down to see exactly why Jane's post IS good: "Here's my list! All these seeds came from plants that were winter sown or reseeded in my garden. They are all hardy, beautiful, and easy to grow." Jane gives some vital introductory information. Her seeds are hardy for Winter Sowing, and she says they're lovely and easy to grow. ----------- *Perennials* Aquilegia (columbine, grape colored flowers) Aquilegia mix (columbines, nice selection from my garden) Asclepias Incarnata (swamp milkweed, pink flowers, will grow in dry dirt) Campanula Latifolia (mountain bells, purple flowers) Campanula Medium (Canterbury bells...nice mix) Coreopsis Mix (1'-2' mix of strong golden flowers) Hibiscus Militaris (halberd-leaved marshmallow) Inula Helenium (inula) Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry' (fountain grass "black moudry") Tanacetum Parthenium (feverfew) Tanacetum Vulgare (common tansy) Vernonia Gigantea (giant ironweed) *Annuals* Cerise Celosia (celosia...candle type, cherry pink flowers) Cosmos Sulphureus (bright lights cosmos) Daneborg Lace poppy (papaver somniferum, red and white flowers) Morning Glories (lavender) Nicandra Physaloides (aka shoo fly, apple of Peru, black pod) Nicotiana Rustica (Aztec tobacco, greeny-yellow flowers) Nigella (blue flowers, nice for drying...weird pods!) *Veggies and Herbs* Italian Parsley Bok Choy Ruby Beets Bright Lights Swiss Chard Soldier Beans (12 seeds per pack) Janes list is organized well, it's in ABC order, and she's included both the common and botanical names of the plants. "Soldier Beans (12 seeds per pack)" Jane lets us know that this seed pack contains just a dozen seeds because the count is under the GardenWeb suggested miniumum seedpack amount of 24 (two dozen) seeds. "I'm looking to trade for other flower varieties I can Winter Sow in my zone seven garden. I am also interested in growing oriental veggies, ornamental grasses, and roses from seeds." Jane has suggested what she would like to trade for. She does NOT state that she is ONLY LOOKING FOR THOSE SEEDS so she may be open to other suggestions....you can still initiate a trade even if you don't have what she's looking for and she'll either say yes or no. Never take a trade decline personally. Jane may have a small garden so she only has room for her favorites. "I usually mail seeds out within 48 to 72 hours after making a trade, and I send my seeds protected with bubblewrap. I'd like you to do the same for me please. If you need to make other arrangements all it takes is an email...I'm very flexible." Jane is letting us know what she does and what she expects. "Thanks for looking at my list!" Okay....Jane is friendly and she seems to know how to trade. Initiating a trade with Jane will be a good trade experience.