Many native flower seeds can be sporadic germinators, so you have to be patient. Echinacea

will start to germinate in about 12 days at 70-75ºF soil temperature, and then continue to germinate throughout the following days/months. Sow heavy, you will have plenty of seed. If after removing the seedlings that germinated, do not dispose of those that did not germinate. You can put the soil with the ungerminated seeds in the garden(mark the spot)to let mother nature take care of them, or hold the pot over in a cold frame for the winter. All native seeds make an excellent project for winter sowing.

I have some in a large container outside. When I started them I just put them directly into the container sometime in early winter, which took care of the cooling time needed. They came right up in the spring and grew really well. I guess I took the extremely lazy approach, but it worked well for me.

I have been inspired! I'll probably try a few ways, what's to lose really!? Hard to know when 70-75 would be consistent around here, could be March could be June. Just this winter we've gone from 3-10F for weeks a few weeks ago to 65 today to 40 tomorrow, so unpredictable so I see the benefits of starting indoors, although I only keep the house at 68. I appreciate both of your suggestions. Cooper, when you potted them up did you protect the pot from the elements, I have a windowless garage and also a carport where there's protection from rain/snow but indirect sunshine, or should I stick them right where I want them in full sun exposed to the elements? Thanks to both.

I second Cathy's winter sowing suggestion. I've started many native wildflowers this way, using milk jugs. Echinacea purpurea doesn't require a cold stratification period, so you've got some time to put this together. You could try the Winter Sowing forum, or Trudi Davidoff's site for tips.

Wintersowing is like having tiny cold frames, so the seedlings can get an earlier start with more even temperatures. You do have to keep an eye on them once temps start to rise, taking the tops off on warm days, and making sure the soil doesn't dry out. After the seedlings have hardened off, you can transplant them into the large (and hopefully deep) pots where they'll spend the summer.

I also think cooper8828's advice would work although it's more risky if the weather is really roller-coasty in the spring.

Also -- you might try posting this to the Perennials forum. It's a busy forum and plenty of Echinacea experience there.

Thank you WoodsTea, I appreciate your insight and tips :) I HOPE once I figure this out after gathering all the advice you more experienced gardeners have to share I'll get to say "That was easier than I thought it'd be" as I enjoy my new plants, haha wishful thinking!

use the paper towel method if you want, I tried it and it worked fine .or I just place the seeds in a large tray covered with plastic and keep moist. just barely cover the seeds. they are easy to start.