It will be Oct before seedling can be transplanted to pots & then allower to grow on...... so I doubt there will be enough time unless you have a heated greenhouse...... I grow on in a heated greenhouse then give 5 week cold period & get flowers the first year,

If it ain't broke, don't fix it... I would leave well enough alone. I might think about putting a few alfalfa pellets on the soil surface for the je n'ai sais quoi it might provide...but I wouldn't un pot just for exercise! Linda C

First things first we need to determine your hardiness zone follow the link below and enter your zip code they will tell you what zone you are living in. This is very important information when it comes to selecting seeds or plants that you would like to return next year (perennials) you will want to check to tag to confirm that the plant is hardy in your zone. Then go to your members page here on Garden Web and enter your zone and state so others can offer you advise appropriate to your growing conditions. I am going to suggest you begin by having your soil tested, now I know it sounds more like a complicated chore than fun but it will be one of your most important tools. You can accomplish this by following the link that Claire has posted on another thread that I will bump up to the top of the forum for you. Exactly how you collect your soil to test is explained in detail the cost is around seven dollars and UMass is amazingly quick with their response. The test results will tell you what type and how much fertilizer your flowers will need. You will also learn your soils PH is and again they may make recommendations for you to either raise or lower your PH, ie applying lime to acidic soil. They will also tell you if there are traces of lead in your soil which you will want to know in regards to your veggies and herbs. I am also going to suggest you make certain that you have easy access to water for this garden. Believe me the thrill of gardening can quickly fade along with your plants if you dont have a convenient way of watering your garden. Work this out now not when your not under the gun of stressed and dying plants. Hmmm do I sound like I am talking from experience. Morning Glory (7-8" planted directly into planters and window boxes) Â These are an annual (life cycle is one growing season they will not return next year) that in my experience really insist on warm soil so you may not have much growth till the dog days of summer but then watch out Zinnia (about 4" with 3-4 leaf pairs)-Another annual that really wants warm soil be careful not to crowd these guys they will do best if they have lots of air circulation so they do not get powdery mildew. Dahlia (3") ÂSome folks consider these annuals others will dig the tubers up in the fall and store in a cool dry spot and are replanted next spring. Sunflower (6-7") This annual like itÂs name likes lots of sun and is happy with lots of organic fertilizer and water. Osteospermum (3") Are tender perennials which means they will not survive in colder zones such as yours so it will not return next year. The African Daisy is a beautiful plant but I always had a hard time growing them. I wonder how well others on the forum have done with this plant? Tomato & Eggplant (2-3") Tomatoes really want warm soil and are very sensitive to cooler temps. Keep on top of staking your plants I would strongly recommend that you donÂt waste your money on the puny tomato cages found at the box stores as the are way too small. Invest in some good wooden 6Â stakes. Assorted Candytuft, - There are both annual and perennial varieties. Allysum Is an annual that is happiest in full sun. Yarrow (4-5") Is a perennial and will return next spring in your garden so keep this in mind when deciding where to plant it. Assorted Herbs (2") some herbs are annual some are perennial Hope this isn't all to over whelming. Oh I almost forgot the most important thing to do in the garden is not only to enjoy it but take tons of photos. I wish I had photos of my first garden there will never be anything else like it, much like your very first apartment. kt

Yep - each pot becomes a sort of mini garden...although I generally grow mine in individual 4 inch pots (after pricking out) and keep them in larger trays for ease of watering, moving and keeping the pots upright (rampaging collie).. Plants are infinitely adaptable, really want to live and are amenable to being lifted and moved, sometimes numerous times. With gypsophila, for example, I will keep half a dozen in a pot and transplant them in chunks rather than single small plants. If you can grow tomatoes, you can certainly grow other perennials....germination can be tricky and as you accomplished that, the loss was down to misfortune (pesty creatures) rather than incompetence or lack of knowledge. Keep trying - maybe just some cheap and easy annuals. Growing from seed is as easy as any other aspect of gardening - maybe easier in some respects and most perennials need no special treatment apart from an autumn sowing and a chance to germinate and grow with very little input needed from us. - I certainly do not faff about with heat or light although that can be required for some vegetables which need to mature over a longer season than a cold climate will allow. Perennials are actually easier in that many will simply grow in their own time, just as they would in a natural, non gardening setting.