I think I will try 'winter sowing' this winter. Never tried it before. I was wondering when is the best time to start? (is Dec. too early, or doesn't it matter?) I figured the best time to start is when I manage to accumulate a few containers/bottles!!
I would like to only try flowers and was wondering which do best from seeds. Can I plant sunflowers, petunias, etc. (I want to use the seeds I already have saved) Thanks!!!!

are you talking about starting plants[flowers] outside? Or are you talking about starting plants inside to plant outside in the spring? i'm not trying to confuse you!
also, what zone are you?!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Barb in Mississippi,

If Im not mistaken, winter sowing starts in Jan or Feb. I wouldn't use sunflowers..they get too leggy too quick. I did gaura one year, and celosia and they came fine.. also did northern sea oats which took me years to get rid of. Put winter sowing in googlen and see what happens.

Wavy, NYlady is correct...at least for z5. Did wintersowing for quite a few years and always had great results. However, mostly did perennials that needed cold stratification (like throwing seeds outside in late autumn/early winter and letting mother nature do its thing).http://www.wintersown.org/ will answer all your questions.

Yes, this is for winter sowing planting outdoors and leaving it until the spring. I actually knew about this method for a couple of years, but it never occurs to me to actually start doing this in the winter. I have always patiently (rather impatiently!) waited until the spring to start planting indoors. I think I'm always just frozen cold in the wintertime that I don't even think of doing this. If I really want to try it, I will have to get everything prepared at least in December and just not plant the seeds until a little later on. I don't plan on planting a whole bunch of seeds in 2 liter bottles, but I would like to try a few out of curiosity, since I'm a beginner!! I was planning on planting perennials too! (I read that someone planted Sunflowers, that is why I asked about them). They probably will get leggy, you're right! I'm in Zone 7 (usually get more than enough snow)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Wavy,

Posting this link *may* get this thread pulled but perhaps you'll see it before it is. Might be some info you can use there or ask questions.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/wtrsow/

Edited to add the FAQ link: http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/wtrsow/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: joyluck,

Wavy, any of your local 'seed houses' offer advice on winter sowing. They, of course, want your business and can suggest seeds that do well in your area and when to start.

One site is: wintersow.org
but there are dozens of others.

THANK YOU!!!