Middle of February, it must be seed starting time!

Those of you north of here, don't clobber me, but I love (love, love, love, LOVE) the middle of February. Why? Because I can start everything that should be started 6-8 weeks before the last frost. (The "official" last frost date is 4/15, but in four years of living here, it's always been several weeks before that, and I'd rather have to keep stuff in the GH a few extra days than to have them too small to set out if the outlook is "all-clear" by 4/1.)

So......today, out came the 20-row seed starting trays, clean new mini blinds to make new markers (gotta love the new year and a fresh start!) the seed-starting mix, and - of course - the seeds. I've got 40 different seeds to start with, and once these are ready to pot on, there are at least that many more to start (those needing a 3-4 week headstart.)

Wohoo, I'm soooooo happy!!!! Anybody else starting seeds yet????

Terry, I started my first seeds nearly 3 weeks ago (Geraniums-pelagoniums, hardy hibiscus, abutilon). These have already been repotted and transferred to grow lights in the garage.

This last weekend, I started delphiniums, foxglove, veronica, lupines, and crepe myrtles to name a few. All these perennials can be held in my garage and then moved to cold frames outside by late March.

Then starting in about 2 weeks, I will stagger starting my annuals that need an early start - petunias, ageratum, salvia, impatiens, vinca, portulaca, and nasturiums.

I got smart this year and divided my seeds by start date and then put them in manila envelopes labeled with the start date and seed name. I have an envelope for each two week period and cross off the name as they are started. I would estimate that this year (counting what will be direct sown), I will be starting between 50 and 65 different varieties of annuals and perennials.

And I'm with you, late Feb./early March is the beginning of my gardening season. Weather permitting, March is the month I till my beds, add manure and compost, and get everything ready to plant outside. I have planted things outside in early April and then had to cover and uncover plants when the threat of frost appeared. So, I am going to wait until mid-April this year. With my minigreenhouses that I bought last year, I will be able to keep flats of plants outside weather permitting. Nat

Well, I'm about due east of both of you kinda/sorta.....and I'm starting seeds now too! Woo Hoo!!!!!!!

Isn't it exciting??? I have a hard time getting through the six weeks from New Year's to mid-February (cold, dark weather makes me want to hibernate!) But once I can get moving with some seeds, I'm a very happy gardener once again.

Nat, that's a very good idea with the envelopes; I've got mine sorted out for this first batch, and a second pile started for the stuff that will be started next. Envelopes would keep me from going through the seedbox numerous times.

I think I gotcha beat on seeds tho - at last count, I'm starting around 80-90 different types of seeds, including 15 tomato varieties. If I throw in the direct-seed stuff, it's probably closer to 120 different types of seeds. Pre-greenhouse, I had to limit my seed starting to 40-50 types, but now.....the sky's the limit! ;o)

Well Terry, I am still in the "pre-greenhouse" stage and have to carefully plan my plantings or I'd have a big mess. Adding the little mini greenhouses has greatly increased my ability to get seedlings outside sooner -- and if it turns too cold, they are small enough to be picked up and put in the garage.

I have reduced the number of annuals that I start for three reasons: 1. have acquired more brugs, 2. have acquired more tropicals (nanas, ee's, cannas,and more) and 3. have gradually converted more beds to perennials over the last couple of years.

But I love starting things from seed, and our options are so much greater than when limited to what is available at local nurseries. You have me beat on the number of seeds started, but I will have my hands full this year. I have a full shade bed that really needs some serious attention this year, and I am putting in a bed that I hope to dedicate to just tropicals. If I could just figure out how I could quit working and be able to garden full time, I'd be a happy lady.

LOVE IT! I've started broccoli, cabbage,chard, spinach,lettace, on Feb.9th.Marigolds(three kinds,so far),zinnias,calendula,and allyssium, on Feb.15th.
nathalyn, I'm with you, wish I could quit working and stay home and garden all the time. I've started seeds for things that I've never tried before.Especially exciting when I can find 10cent seed packets.

LOL Terry! I have all kinds of seeds I have already sowed indoorsl, and I'm zone 5b! (But I made a little calendar for myself for which ones are ok to do NOW, and which ones I have to hold back on). Some things can be sown up here in the north, indoors, now! (and I love this time of the year too - sure beats looking at catalogs and dreaming!)

Major zone envy here!!
Bonnie

Wow! Guess I just got too anxious! Have tomatoes and broccoli ready to transplant to garden and have to wait another 6 weeks! Anybuddy know when you can plant brocs out in Colorado (Denver area)?

Broccoli can go out several weeks before your first frost free date.( I can't remember if it is two or three weeks.)I'm at work, so can't check my favorite reference, "Square Foot Gardening".
Tomatoes! My, you were anxious! I'm just getting ready to start mine.