Cuttings will get you there faster: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/p...

Went out today and checked all my winter sown containers and found sprouts in 3; Rhodiola rosea (Rose Root), Penstemon calycosus (Calico Penstemon). and Solidago flexicaulis (Zig Zag Goldenrod). All three were sown late November/early December.

I'm glad you're getting some results, Greenthumb!

I haven't noticed sprouts in my seed trays, but there are lots of what I think are Safflower seedlings coming up in my backyard, courtesy of the squirrels and chipmunks which buried them.

yay David!
I don't want to see all the safflower that's going to sprout. . But probably will transfer some of them to the garden somewhere.
I have Ratibida and something else sown in pots in the sunny bed. Nothing yet, but I hoped they would come up earlier than elsewhere, when the soil temp got good.

I had though of transferring some safflower as well. We probably should do it soon, because I just read that it develops a taproot of up to 10' and doesn't like to be transplanted.

thanks, will try to remember that. did not notice sprouts yet.
I have a volunteer sunflower in my coleus cuttings under lights. what the...?

Ha ha, what a surprise! There must have been a hitchhiker on one of the plants.

sallyg said:Guess your snow is a distant memory, Rita.
Really distant memory for us, as we haven't seen a solid cover at all this winter.

I hope we don't get any more snow this season. I am so ready to be done with winter and move on to spring.

More and more of us are experiencing warm spells that are allowing us to get out and play in the dirt (YAAAAY!). As such, we're starting to sort things out as to what we want to offer.

By opening registration early, people can start building their plant lists in the swap tool and use it as a way of keeping track of their planned offerings. It will also allow us to start figuring out what we may be looking for.

Because of the really screwy weather we're having this year, I am going to open the registration for Jan's May swap on February 21.

I realize that this gives us 2 months before trading actually begins, but I think it will help people stay organized.

Also, for those that are unfamiliar with the swap tool, it will give them plenty of time to play around, ask questions, etc.

Date Reminders:
- Registration NOW OPEN at https://garden.org/apps/swap/view/10/
- Trading Begins Tuesday, April 18, 2017
- Trading Ends Wednesday, May 3, 2017
- In-Person Swap Saturday, May 6, 2017

This swap is being hosted by Jan and Jeff in Pennsville, New Jersey. Directions will be posted the week of the swap.

There are two threads set up for the Mid-Atlantic Gardeners 2017 Spring Plant Swap.

The first thread is to let us know who is attending and what food or beverage item they are bringing for the pot luck lunch.
2017 Spring Plant Swap

The second thread is for general chat about the swap. This thread also contains information on how the swap will be conducted.
2017 Spring Plant Swap CHAT

If you have any questions, please feel free to post them to the chat thread.

If you've never been to an in-person swap, don't be shy! After all, where else can you go and hang out with a bunch of people talking about plants with enthusiasm?

I'm heading up to Vermont, but even they are having a warmer than usual winter.....still below 30 at nite though so I will be bundling up. Hope I don't miss spring here, I mean I hope we don't just go full tilt to 70s 80s etc. Wondering now if I should have removed oak leaf cover from my potted up overwintering plants.

Probably won't be posting much while I'm on Grandma duty and Twin watch!
Stay well all.
Judy

Travel safe Judy. And the oak leaves will protect your young plants from any critters that like to 'snack' on fresh greens!

Good luck! Vaya con Dios! Blessings for the babes!

Looking forward to the big announcement!!! Safe travels. Have fun!!

Heading to Boston area tomorrow with the three grandies. Taking them home. One wondered if I would download a movie. Nope, not happening!!! It may be a LONG drive.

They LOVED Longwood yesterday. Upon walking in to the conservatory one of them just stopped and said she thought she was going to cry. A proud gramma moment.

I hope you had a nice trip, Judy!

Jan, well done, you've created a young garden nut (meant in the nicest possible way)!

Discovered a down side to this incredible weather: Out working in the yard in short sleeves in mid February and forced to come in around dusk not due to temperature but mosquitoes.

agh mosquitoes! I am not too surprised. I thought about that with my rain barrel.

Seems to early to see mosquito!!! BUT...when i was outside working on my yard yesterday--
one landed on me. I smacked it--and it flew off...I bet they are hungry! G.

Yep, we swatted a couple of skeeters yesterday. I've never put mosquito bits into my water garden pots in February before, but I guess I'd better!

Haven't seen mosquitoes, but saw neighbor's cats play with wasps a few times. Wish the wasps had not come out so early .

Another gorgeous April day in February.
We closed the building at 5 pm yesterday due to heat. Our boiler was cranking full blast, we had three doors open and were roasting. We are not allowed to turn the boiler off. Maintenance has to come do it.
You can imagine my dismay at coming home four hours earlier yesterday, watching geese, and sitting on the deck, sunset..
I've seen four Vs of geese in the small part of 24 hrs that I was outside at home.