I have a bunch of seeds, most purchased, but a few my own, that I want to plant. Would it be safe to plant in an outside garden now? Or is it too late? Has anyone here in zone 5 or colder ever tried planting in August? I don't want too little plants to freeze to death, but I really have no place in my house to plant them this year. Or should I just wait until spring?

What kind of seeds? If they are turnip, parsnip, beets or peas; plant them now.

Daylily seeds. Sorry, I guess I should have made that clearer.

I did assume that being this is a daylily forum. I just planted daylily seeds, but I am in Zone 8b, so I would assume with your winters it would be too late. But better to get response from your area, still it seems awfully late for daylily seeds.

I don't think I would plant them this late but then again I have done the direct sow method before and planted them just before winter. Germination was not the best though.

I just snookered some seeds from an open pod. I am in Maine. They would have naturally dropped, so in God's time, (and they came from the church garden) it would make sense to leave them on the ground now. Refrigerator sense would be different. Wouldn't it be lovely to start growing them over the Winter, inside?

Someday my yard will have the noidiest whimsey.

I live in the South and still germinate starter plants from seed in the Winter indoors. This is how I grow mine indoors on a window sill:
http://garden.org/ideas/view/b...

I was wondering what everyone starts their seeds in? I am not planting outside again, I have had multiple problems and low germination that way. I should have marked a row, but my son mess one bunch up with an ATV a few yrs ago on a rainy day when he and his friends were riding. I have had better luck starting them in a hanging basket size pot with reg potting soil until they get ready to be transplanted.

I just wanted to see how you guys do it?

Thanks

Teresa, I've come to the conclusion that seed starting medium is of utmost importance.
I can have seeds that have sprouted in water totally fail in some seed starting soils.
I'm still searching for the right one for me.

I switched my potting medium to Farfard's pro mix and I use hydrogen peroxide mixed in with the water when I water them. Since I started doing that, I've had about an 85 - 98% germination rate from seed to plant. I think root rot fungus and knat larvae are the main culprits when trying to germinate and grow plants from seeds. I am very careful NOT to over-water them. I have them sitting on a sunny window sill and by Spring have some nice starter daylily hybrids. It has worked successfully for me for about 5 years.

OK. I guess I will have to find someplace to start them inside. I have had extra family members move back in and took the room I have used for seedlings before, and my cats would eliminate any that I put on "their" window sills. I appreciate your answers. Does the hydrogen peroxide mixed in the water eliminate those little black flies?

No, unfortunately they don't. The hydrogen peroxide helps eliminate root rot. You could probably sprinkle seven dust or something on the soil to help get rid of any bugs.

Last winter I started them inside in just potting soil they did very well had them in a south facing window.I also do winter sowing same potting soil and I also plant outside in the spring in potting soil. I use left over foam cups for my planting containers for my seeds.
I really don't do anything special for them and I don't baby them.

Dorothy,

Those fungus gnats are truly tough and pesty.
I've been fighting them for ages and while they are reduced in numbers, they're still here.

As a fast to get hold of fix mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) with four parts water and thoroughly drench the soil.
The soil may fizz but the plants will survive. Only problem with this method is that hydrogen peroxide will also kill some soil enzymes.

To catch adult fungus gnat flies, use yellow sticky cards in the planters.
Also mix a couple of tablespoons of vinegar with a little liquid dish soap and a little water in a dish and the adults are attracted to that.

There's more here:
http://howtogetridofgnatsinthe...

Teresa....Parks Seed sponges. I have used them for years and have had superior results.
For the first time this year, because I got antsy and didnt wait for my sponges to arrive, I planted in small dixie cups with seed starting mix... FOGET IT. I am glad as can be that everyone seems to have great luck with such things, but I dont. After three wasted weeks, and now past when things will bloom in the spring, Ive got about 5 of 40 seeds up. I usually get almost 100% germination in the sponges. Well....I got myself on the LA and boght some more seeds...ordered the sponges, planted last week, and within days, sure enough the seeds are germinating.
I dont care if people make fun of me for using the sponges ( Leslie ), life is too short. Its sponges for me for another good long while.

I have read that some people have microwaved their potting soil before planting to get rid of any gnat eggs. After planting, some will add sand to the top to deter the gnats. I wonder if diatomaceous earth would work as well, perhaps not as I think it needs to be dry to work as a pesticide. http://npic.orst.edu/factsheet...

I have used the Parks seed sponges, which work very well. Their only problem is price.

http://parkseed.com/product.as...

http://parkseed.com/80-pack-re...

I use the smallest ones. 120 sponges. I order two packs at a time to save a little on shipping and then have a two year supply. It does come out to 15-20 cents a sponge, but well worth it to me when you have such a short time to plant for spring bloom. Up north, unless growing inside, they might not be as appealing, as it takes awhile for bloom anyway.

Very very good to see you again!

Laura, diatomaceous earth works when wet as well as when dry.

When I had horses, I put it in their feed to reduce flies in manure.
Also it helps eliminate worms in animals' gut.

Do the sponges help with eliminating the gnats?

Well nearly all my seed didn't germinate this year. I used dilute H2O2. The two that made it just lost all their roots in the last week and feel over. Sob.