Jo Ann, you should consider trying wintersowing, a least a few containers. It's pretty cool to walk out on your deck some spring day and find little green seedlings staring back at you from their milk jug. Advantages over direct seeding- seeds stay put, don't get moved around by weather (rain, wind), don't washed away, don't get eaten by critters (birds, voles, etc), higher humidity fosters germination, the "roof" of the container makes temps warmer than garden soil.
Mostly, it's a way to garden in winter, no indoor space needed. The mess stays out on your deck.
Karen
