Hi Cooper, You don't have to winter sow anything. But we winter sowers become addicted because the method works beautifully! Winter sowing is great because your seeds don't wash away, blow away, get eaten by bugs and other critters, the seeds are easily identified and kept track of for the most part. Direct sowing still has its moments though. Personally, I think larkspur actually does better direct sown. I also direct sow bachelor buttons,and nigella (love in a mist). My seeds from these plants have already germinated and are thriving despite the snow and dips into the teens that we have had. If any of these seeds are on your list, I'd go ahead and get them out there. They will germinate in their own good time and will survive any weather. From my understanding the seeds I just mentioned like to be sown in the fall anyway. So feel free to get them out as soon as you see bare ground. Natvtxn has a great idea of looking up the seeds on the internet. Also a great idea to throw some out and maybe holding some back for winter sowing or regular under lights sowing or maybe try all 3 methods...whatever you want. Gardening is always a learning experience.

I know it is quite legal to swap seeds one to one in the same country but are there laws reguarding sending seeds across the world? I have a friend who lives in Spain and he visits England (LONDON)quite alot but he will not take my lupin seeds back to Spain with him because he fears he will get into trouble if they are found on him? So experts "is it illegal to send seeds abroard and if that is the case what about sending Lavender samples abroad I have promised a member of this site some Elizabethian Lavender which I have grown and dried in this couintry would it be against the law to send it By Airmail to good old United States of America?

Sara, Much cooler-but I had forgotten just how humid it is out there. And green, it was a jungle! I always laugh when I hear folks here speak of the "humidity". Certainly it is alot more humid than Colorado, Arizon and the rest of the southwest. But it is actually much much drier here than the east coast. It was usually between 68-72 degrees F in the mornings during my trip, yet I was dripping with sweat from the humidity. Oh well, there are weather issues no matter where you are, just got to learn how to deal with it. My tomatos all died while I was gone, yet I was able to start a new crop of squash for the fall, certainly couldn't do that in the northeast. Oh,and I emphasize it was "usually" humid during my trip. The 1st day I was there it was 75, dry, with a slight breeze-of course that was on the coast while wading in the surf at Rye beach. Sigh...

Morning all, I'm glad to see that people are posting about their seeds making it home. I did a quick check on dc#s this morning and most have been received just note posted yet. Alana, come on! You are one of the best here on the garden web. I'm happy that I could come up with some things to send you! As far as the extras sent, I have waaayyyy to many seeds and needed to reduce my stash. I think everyone got back at least 8 or 9 extra packets. I'm not sure if you remember but I garden for $$ in the nice weather. I had been keeping all my seeds and the bosses seeds seperate.A while back I asked him what he wanted to do with the extras and he said "keep em"! I explained to him that I had a lot of seeds that I only used 10 or 20 out of a package but he has no use for them.I did winter sow 15 cups for his moms house as a Thank you then I divided them up in preparation of this swap. Unfortunetly, I didn't make it through my annuals. I think because first my neck strain, hubby breaking his foot and my dog being sick. There's always next year. I did bring the dog back for a recheck yesterday in the morning....He was in for surgery by noon. I was told the cost would be between $1500 and $1800, that's not including the $220 from the day before! This is so not what I wanted to hear! I'm grateful that I have been with the same vet for 25 years and they will take monthly payments from me for the surgery!!!! I have to look into medical insurance for this one...lol Hopefully the others will post about their seeds so I can wrap this one up. Have a great day Lisa