I'm in NH and a zone cooler than you. I used to direct-sow everything with no issues. The only things I'd purchase were tomatoes & peppers. Since I discovered winter sowing, I do everything in containers outdoors. I will WS my tomatoes ASAP, but I have given up on the peppers, since I just can't seem to do those so well. I haven't got the patience or discipline to do an indoor setup, so this works for me. I started my cool season stuff (lettuce, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, radishes) end of march, and just put the seedlings in the ground this past weekend. I'll WS the rest of my veggies in the next week or so in containers, and plant them out as soon as they have true leaves. (I also have no interest in spending the $$ on 'starts' of plants at a garden center/nursery because the things that I grow (corn, toms, brocolli, zucchini, squash, melons, cukes) do just fine from seed.) Good luck with your garden!

Buddleia davidii - Moist chill (stratify)of 2-4 weeks may improve germination but isn't strictly necessary. Surface sow, do not exclude light, @ approx 70F for germination in 20-30 days. They shouldn't be difficult for you, such prolific self sowers here we can no longer plant, noxious invasive :) Same in Oregon, and a while back they were getting some attention in Massachusetts but I don't know what their status might be in Illinois or the other colder states in 2010.

There are a number of sources available. I did my research on-line and created my own chart, using the information I found and the plants I wanted to plant. Clyde's Garden Planner is one source or you can use the Farmers Almanac as a source. Here is how that is done according to gardenguide: Overview - The Old Farmer's Almanac has been used as a guide by farmers since 1792. The original editor, Robert B. Thomas, devised a weather forecasting formula based on his observations of natural cycles. The same formula is used today and is kept secret by the publishers. The almanac provides a guideline for when to begin planting seeds either indoor or outdoors. It also has recommendations for the best times to plant seeds by the moon. Step 1 - Select the types of vegetables you would like to grow in your garden. Make a list in your notebook. Step 2 - Find the Farmer's Almanac Planting Table in either a printed copy or go online at almanac.com/gardening/planting-dates. Step 3 - Type the city and state where you live in the location space above the planting table on the website, or find the regional planting table in your printed copy. Step 4 - Decide where you plan to start plants such as squash, pumpkins, melons, lettuce, cucumbers, cauliflower, cabbage or broccoli indoors. These plants can be started in trays indoors or seeded directly into a garden bed. Tomato, pepper and brussels sprout plants are always best started indoors. Step 5 - Decide if you want to plant your seeds by the moon phases. The Farmer's Almanac provides alternative planting dates for those that like to plant by the moon. The moon is believed to affect both water levels in the soil and seed development. Step 6 - Find each of the vegetables you are planting in the chart. Check the first column of the chart for the best dates to start indoor plant seeds, and the second column for starting indoor plants by the moon. Step 7 - Check the third column of the chart for the best time to plant outdoor plants, or the fourth column if you plan to plant outdoor plants by the moon. Write the dates you've chosen by the vegetable in your list to guide you while planting your garden seeds. Charlie

I start both inside. Right now I have 12 brocs waiting to go outside this weekend, yes this weekend. I have used tires that were filled with aged horse manure last fall, stacked two high. Each of these has PVC pipes in them about two feet tall. I cover the pipes with 6mil plastic to form a hot house. The black tires help retain heat for the roots. I will transplant borc, lettuce and spinach starts this weekend and follow up every two weeks for the next eight weeks with successive rounds. By that time, I'll also have tomatoes out as well. The black tires and plastic give me a several week (up to 6 weeks) head start. I'll have tomatoes to eat by the end of May. I'm in the Pittsburgh suburbs.