Marsha, I'm not sure what method you're using to germinate so I can't say what's going wrong. I can tell you last year I sowed a pack following directions I found on a seed starting database. It said the seeds needed to be soaked for 24 hours and then needed light to germinate, so I lightly scattered on top of the soil. 9 out of 50 or so seeds germinated. This year I used the seeds I collected from the plants in the fall soI had a lot more to play with. In one flat, I didn't soak the seeds, I covered them lighty with soil (I did this mostly because the seeds like to stay damp), and I used a strand of Christmas rope lights to heat the bottom of the flat. I'd say I had near 100% germination within 7 days. The other flat I soaked the seeds over night, loosely scattered on the seed starting mix, did not over with soil and used the bottom heat method. After 2 weeks of no germination, I started tossing a little "soil" over the seeds. Maybe one or 2 germinated. Eventually I took the lids off so the 2 plants could enjoy the sunlight, and after about a month, I saw more germination but probably around 50% total for the 2nd flat. At this point, they're still germinating in that 2nd flat, but I just pull & toss into the compost because I have plenty of seedlings in flat #1. BTW, I sowed around 3/15. Hope this helps.

Hi Ken, I did the same thing this year that I've done for the past 24 years. Dug the holes a little larger than the container each seedling was in and a little deeper than really needed. Put about 1 cup of miracle grow potting mix in the hole, then the seedlings and the soil that I dug out making the hole and watered well, as the ground was dry at the time. I've direct sowed, started seeds indoors and WS 4 0'clocks and never had these results before. Some of the seeds where from trades, some where commercial packs of the same kinds as the trades and all grew the same. Grew just the regular ones, broken colors and kalaidescope.

4:00s are prolific re-seeders. I sow them outside - whenever. Just like you might do with cosmos, nigella, larpspur etc. They aren't going to germinate until it gets plenty warm, and it won't hurt them to be outside. Same thing with witner sowing - outdoors right now in containers. The difference is with Winter Sowing you have more control over the seedlings and the containers provide a safer environment than flung on the ground. I don't see any need to actually plant them under the soil unless you want to. Remember, they re-seed on their own just find wherever the plant spews them. Determine your own comfort level or try a few techniques. If you just have a few seeds, I would sugget winter or spring sow using the winter sowing method. If you have a bunch - just whip them out there.

I've never, ever had any trouble getting my 4'oclocks to germinate. i just poke them down in the dirt -- probably no deeper than 1" and more likly about 1/4-1/2". I've never soaked them. If you want them to 'pop' a little sooner, make sure your containers are good and moist, make sure you have plenty of vent holes, set them in the sun and wait for the popcorn! As they germinate, move them out of direct sun to more sheltered sun until you can get the lids off. good luck!