Starting at the bottom: Strawberries are normally grown from transplants not seed and bare root transplants are readily available for planting. Strawberry seeds are only available for a couple of small wild-derived varieties ie Alpine and are slow and difficult to germinate. Strawberries produce their own runner plants which are easily transplanted. Planting times in your zones I can't help you with but that info is readily available on the web from all sorts of sources. On average cool weather crops (chard, beets, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, fava beans, lettuce, spinach, etc.) are planted out at least a month prior to summer crops. For me that is early to mid March depending on soil temps as my last frost is Apr. 15th. When it comes to direct seeded plants you need to learn to measure and plant by soil temps. Each has an ideal range of soil temps required for germination and that is what determines your planting date. Charts are available for all vegetables and most flowers. I linked one of the many below. EX: lettuce, spinach, peas require minimum of 40 degree soil, beans 60 degree soil, broccoli requires 50 degree soil, tomatoes 70 degrees, peppers 75, etc. Broccoli transplants are best transplanted prior to the 3rd true leaf which is normally approx. 4" tall. Perennials blooming the first year varies depending on zone. In the warmer zones, if started early enough, many will bloom that summer. Most annuals seed packets will give you an approx. direct seed date on the packet. They are divided into hardy annuals, half-hardy annuals, and tender annuals classes and require different soil temps for germination and survival so you need to know which class your choice fall into. hardy annuals will tolerate light frosts but tender annuals are only planted after all danger of frost is past. Zinnas - there are lots of posts here from folks who have tried to start them indoor and discovered the problems. Direct seeding them in early May should be fine for your zone. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Soil temps for direct seeding vegetables.

Redneck, you are well on your way to become a gardener. They say you need to kill the same kind of plant 3 times. Congratulations! Kitty litter and Christmas lights is a great idea. Thanks for the tip. I personally do not use fiber products as containers. They dry out too fast and grow mold. And I don't use clear domes over the trays, as air circulation helps prevent damping off. (IMO, the drafts are good.) I use plastic trays and I buy starting soil in a bag. I may even mix 2 different kinds of soil. Sometimes it is very difficult to get starting soil or potting soil moist. It seems to be shipped very dry. I dump it in a bucket and mix in a significant amount of water with my hands to initially get it to hold water. Then when you water, it should get adsorbed quickly. Sometimes I water from the bottom by setting the seedling tray in a bigger tray. Wild guess: Maybe there is some fertilizer in the house plant pots? Fresh seedlings shouldn't need it. But some starting mixes may not have much.

I have started a lot of carnations and have never had a problem with germination. In fact they are very easy to grow and I love them. This is what I do-I use Miracle grow potting mix to start all my seeds. I have done this for many years and have a very good success rate. In one season I start over 75 trays of flowers. Most times you cover the seed as thick as the seed is, very small seed do not get covered. I use vermiculite to cover my seed it's light and they can pop right through. Unless it notes otherwise I put my trays in a clear plastic bag and put on a heated bed in the green house, as soon a few seed have popped through I take the tray out of the bag and off the heating bed. Best of Luck, Kathleen

Skycopp, When I grow peppers, I usually let them grow at least 1 foot, to prevent the fertilizer burn the new born plant. I start fertilizing just before transplanting outside to prevent "too much" stress all at once. Since the plant will only start yielding peppers until transplant, there is really not much point of fertilizing before. Thats how I do it, and I bet others do it differently but has always worked for me. Ask away if u got more questions. :)