I think you're smart, Karen. I had low germination also, though I didn't stratify or winter-sow. I did find that pre-soaking helped a lot. Maybe the dilute peroxide was part of that help.

I don't direct-sow unless they spout and grow FAST, because we have very aggressive slugs (or maybe seedling-kidnapping Ninjas) that will mow seedlings they like right down to the ground as fast as they emerge.

I discovered the problem by scattering a little slug bait around the approaches to the porch where I hardened off seedlings. That made the slug trails visible.

My slugs LOVE Delphinium seedlings, but leave adult Delphinium plants alone.

Worms of any kind enjoy eating tender seedlings ,, Night crawlers red worms , etc , Trying to play keep away some seasons to keep seedlings from ending up as compost , Likely how garden pots came to exist ,,

jimard8 said: Worms of any kind enjoy eating tender seedlings ...
Likely how garden pots came to exist ,,

Cool theory!

Maybe cold frames were invented by someone trying to keep the !@#$%@#$%^ bugs, worms and critters away from the plants. Then she noticed that it also kept the frost out.

RickCorey said:

Cool theory!

Maybe cold frames were invented by someone trying to keep the !@#$%@#$%^ bugs, worms and critters away from the plants. Then she noticed that it also kept the frost out.

I like your she theory better ,, Big Someday a greenhouse (me)

Mine could explain part of how so many dead soils occurred from production One of many

Yours makes for Happy Tahiti syndrome satisfied

Jimard8 - Yes, I will take the Lady in Red and I actually enjoy the cleaning of seeds. My best friend has walked in on me many times cleaning seeds and constantly asks me why I do it. I just smile and keep cleaning.

Rick - Thanks for understanding. My biggest problem this year was the rain. It was a solid 3 months. Every day until July. We have these deep, rock lined ditches which were used at one time as a sewage system for the town. It runs all over the town. They are about 4 feet deep. Needless to say they were overflowing more often than not. I have never seen that much rain in my entire life. Then, what the rain didn't kill or run off, the slugs had a field day. 64 Dahlias and only 6 made it. The only reason they made it was the eggshells. I've decided I'm not really that tired of cooking breakfast anymore, lol.

>> My biggest problem this year was the rain. It was a solid 3 months.

That part sounds normal to me. We have a mountain named "Rainier". They CLAIM that's a person's name, but I think it's just Truth In Advertising: the coastal PNW IS more rainy than most areas. Much of the year, we have drizzle more often than not.

>> They are about 4 feet deep. Needless to say they were overflowing more often than not.

Yikes! Glug glug glug. I guess you tie plant labels to branches and a cork, so they float.

>> Then, what the rain didn't kill or run off, the slugs had a field day.

It couldn't just DROWN the slugs ... no, that would make gardeners' lives too easy.

I might have an all-male species of slugs - they really love beer and will drown themselves in it given a chance. They sound like guys to me! (Except for the part where they eat salad willingly.)

, Rick!

Reminds me of Rabbits getting together to make Hops Compost , he , he ,
Lol Rick , sounds good , I have heard of Cole slaw beer ,, ?

Staying warm so a cabbage and a kale planted , The curled Kale seeds did not grow last time , I will see if they want stratified ,(which last time I did not do )


Garden joke ,, When Big Band became rap , Cabbage on to the idea of name
Brassica Pops Rapa ,,
Humor can be such a Choy ...

Ya'll have me rolling laughing. Merry Christmas! !!!

I had to get up to wake up Santa taking nap.. he , he ,
Nobody gets up this Early , on Christmas ,

Merry Christmas Everybody ,

Merry Christmas jimard and everyone!

I keep watching the list change here ,Number of people and seeds ,
A rain day here to do a few more ,
Looks like rainy season ,more than winter

Rick - In your wishlist you said petunias. Do you need a certain color or named variety? If not, I have some beautiful deep red ones that were purchased through a high end nursery here. I have no clue what type they are. They were no larger than 18" tall. I haven't listed them because they have no name. But if you want them, I'll put them up for you or anyone else that is interested. If not, they are special enough I won't put them up. I like this group and am willing to part with them for ya'll.

Salvia seed pods being dusted , insects like this here , don't want any riders , (a thing with home garden seeds ) Of course a few weed seeds can ride along with pods , (oh well )

The sweet basil ,, I have three or four more besides the cinnamon , if I can find them , if I can get them done , that does not include two reds I cannot offer , Although I would like too ,


Kitchen Herbs .
Sweet Basil

Today I decided to harvest seeds from some organic bell peppers that used for dinner. I'm considering putting them up for trade. ..would anyone be interested?

(I still have to update my list in the upcoming days...more seeds will be coming, for sure. )

DnD 4 or 5 seeds of those would do my interest !!! I cannot usually grow peppers here all that well but sometimes ,, yummmmmy
I will still try to add a few ,, I have a box and half listed though , and geting near the end of the list ,, about right to start and hope for a few trades ,

I think I am done listing ,
I might still have one or two ,
Later down the road , if you have my seeds in the 5 x3 baggie and the seeds do not grow ,If I have the plant , you mail me or talk with me , I will get seeds to you as available as a replace , ( realizing this does not help the time wasted trying ) I try to do "right By all " )
a few of some wants not listed ,(only a couple though ) I have ,
A few listed at the ending to begin like today I only Have barely enough , like the Blue penstemon A pot planted , not growing yet , And I want to another ,
so maybe 4 or 5 Enough to try a pot maybe two ,, things like that ,
Usually if I do not have success after a couple pot or plantings I do not ,
I am more sure of my seeds than some I buy , Like my cinnamon Basil , They are large seeds ,, although some smaller seeds are there as these are actually two cultivars (or variate) of Cinnamon Basil , I like them in my tea ,,
I will correlate and check thru my list , and will look forward to trading , Enjoy the Holidays , stay safe ,, (or have fun ) and

A lot of what I am offering I haven't grown yet so I can't necessarily make it right if the seeds don't grow. I love trying new vendors and I try to plan my garden so that I grow from as many vendors as possible. So far there is only one new vendor who I tried and failed to grow seeds from. I'm not offering any of that vendor's seeds until I can get something from them to grow. I only tried a few seeds of one petunia so I shouldn't assume everything I got from them is bad. But I don't want to take a chance.

I have about four trades of un pelleted , tiny home grown , old Single bloom . red pink and a violet shad most of them ,
it is difficult to tell for sure with different vendors , My curled Kale did not grow from one , all the others I obtained grew , (many) but if that was a small order and some got only the Curly Kale that did not grow ,? well ,,?

I know mine do as I let a pod drop , and it was growing and blooming a couple before the season for them ended here , , Only with mine a lot of variety variation , they do not always grow as the same thing although they even look the same often enough ,