Yippee: These specific questions are hard to answer. I know some folks do try to follow that kind of directions specifically. You could try to direct sow now if that is your preference. But remember that some seeds will wash away, some will be eaten by birds or other critters, etc. I just wintersow and try to keep it simple. I rarely read directions and most things germinate. Some don't, but most, by far, do. The beauty of wintersowing is it's simplicity. Mother Nature gives us temperature swings naturally, and waters the seeds for us with rain and snow. If I were trying to grow those things, this is what I'd do. Notice the first 2 need cold temps, followed by warm. Wintersowing will give you the cold temps, followed by warm when the spring weather arrives. For the Asclepias fascicularis, physocarpa, and syriaca I'd plant closer to spring, around March. If it germinates, I'd plant out and wait for bloom the next year. I'm not guaranteeing that this would work for you the way I mention, that's simply what I'd do. But that's just me, I try for easy. OK, maybe lazy. And I don't stress about it anymore. If someting doesn't germinate, I try again next year and have fun in the process. Can you tell, this will be my 4th year wintersowing. At first I worried and stressed over things, it's true. I think I've overcome that now. I know that most plants will drop seeds and they grow, as they have for thousands of years without our help. Karen

Sigh. Here we go again. Kimmsr, put your listening ears on! Those insects that require a particular species of plant in order to complete their life cycle will seek out that plant and use it for its purpose no matter what. It does not matter if that plant is in perfect condition and is thriving in the best of soils. The columbine sawfly is just one example. This is one aspect of IPM that you seem to have little understanding of, Kimmsr. There are many species specific pests out there. We can eliminate those plants from our gardens, or we can take it upon ourselves to learn the life cycle of the pests so that we can mitigate the damage. No one has said that a 'good healthy soil that grows strong, healthy plants will not deter insect pests and diseases'. (I know that you're trying to insult me, but you'll have to do better than that, lol.) But you shouldn't turn your back on the facts. There ARE very susceptible plants out there just as there ARE plant pests that will seek and find their particular host plant. It's very important to provide a vital and healthy soil system. The benefits are huge. And many insect and disease pests are able to take advantage of plants that are weak, under or over nourished, or simply languishing. But it's important, too, that we understand the behaviors and life cycles of some pests. By doing so, we can avoid those plants entirely, should we wish to do so. But for those particular insects, seeking out the appropriate plant species is instinctual...just as much as a mosquito seeks a blood meal.

I agree with trekaren, ignore the behavior....my now grown son use to get so mad he would hold his breath and pass out. It was very scary the first few times he did it. I realized one day that when he came to and didn't see me all panicky in his face he may just wonder why. I tried it. He passed out, I made sure he was in a safe place and walked away. He came to in about 30 sec. and didn't see me there. He got up from the floor, came to the kitchen wanted a hug and said...."I thought you left me!" I said...."I did, you passed out, what else could I do?" He said, "I'm sorry mommy, I won't do that again, I don't want to be alone." He never did. It's worth a try....just keep all the sharp objects out of reach from her.

OMG, how did I miss the awkwardness of my subject heading? Good call on the dangling participle thing. I'm a high school teacher, actually, and normally a crazy person about conventions in syntax and grammar... Anyway - thanks to everybody for the warm welcome and the wonderful advice. I've actually been reading your posts for at least 3 or 4 months now. I think I stumbled over here once we were done with our kitchen renovation and the kitchen forum no longer held the same interest. I will definitely look for a couple of the book suggestions that have been recommended...my daughter is a big American Girl nut, so I will look for the one that is offered there. Actually, "Where Did I Come From?" is the one my own parents gave me in the 70s - I'll never forget that the pleasure of sex is described there as something like you might feel when you sneeze! And for another flashback, my daughter actually has my old copy of "Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret?" --I keep hoping she'll pass it over for another title - at least until I've actually had "the talk" with her... maybe this weekend, in honor of her b-day. Thanks so much...