Ivy Geraniums should do well in the area where you live.I'd recommend you keep them more on the dry side there.

Thanks Lynn, that's a great link. I actually got that pamphlet from T&M, but I'll be darned if I can find it. This helps. Ashley, if I remember correctly, Grant starts some from seeds... if he doesn't bop on line here soon I'll ask him. For some reason I believe his were the zonals....? Did you figure out which kind you wanted to grow?

I have grown annual geraniums from seed for numerous years. Didn't have the chance to order seeds in time to start here in Pa so I picked up 2 packets of the Burpee Paint Box Mix, (similar to the Orbit shown). The get the most germination rate take the seeds and place between 2 layers of sandpaper, lightly scratch the hard seed coat. This year I tested the window peat pellet, dome covered trays from Lowes, I didn't have my propagation bed running at that early time, so placed them in a West facing window. Germination occured 4-5 days after be planted in the peat pellets,90% success rate. After first true leaves,(3 weeks) I repotted into 2 inch pots. Placed in a West facing indoor hothouse. Now they have 3 sets of true leaves at 6 weeks from sowing. Testing the Miracle Grow with time release fertilizer potting soil and they seem to like it, but will start bottom watering with a balance fertilizer this weekend. Go for it! You might get addicted like me! This year I will have 30 geraniums started from seed, to buy that amount already grown would have cost me over 100.00. Well worth the 4.00 for seed and 4-5 dollars for peat pellets I'd say.

I start geraniums from seeds. Last year I began in Dec, this year i waited until mid-Jan. Those are up, getting second true leaf and are going to be transplanted tomorrow. I start the seeds in the house, then when seedlings are up, put the tray under a grow light until they are ready to transplant They do not need to be started in the dark, just cover the seeds lightly. I start with very, very moist potting mix, so there is plenty of moisture. Got my seeds from Parks and Stokes. germination rate is about 90-100%. You will be pleased with the final product this summer, as some of those will have 15-20 blooms on them all season. Enjoy!