I just stumbled onto the method called Winter Sowing. Does anyone have experience using this method - I'm intrigued with it as I live in an area of very short growing season and this might be an answer to getting seeds started early. The home site for it is "wintersown.org" which is the gal who tested this into a method. Some people are changing it a bit, but she has done her homework and it's impressive. I think I'll try a bunch of containers and see what I get. I always end up buying tons of 6 packs at the nursery and this would save so much $$.

It is a great method to try
I have been winter sowing for many years
I start most of my perennials that way (In February) ....set them outside and in April and May ......

Good info -thanks for responding!! I'm into it.

we do have a wintersowing forum here at NGA
It has been a bit quiet but, some good tips may be gleaned there

I did it several years ago, I put mine out in Feb facing east, worked great.

Thank you Cinda - I didn't know that forum was there - went and read lots of the posts.

I have been winter sowing for six years. It works extremely well for me. I try to stick to items that I've noticed in the past reseed themselves easily in the spring and items that need stratification. It works so well for me that I generally end up with way too many plants. I use jugs and clear plastic containers. My containers go out on the north west side of my house in a sheltered area. I keep the containers in low crates so they don't blow away. Be careful. It is addicting!