It would depend on what you are sowing. Many of us sow shrubs and perennials that need an extended period of moist chill (as much as 3-4 months or more) and those wouldn't germinate if not exposed to those condtions before warming.

Depending on climate (and WS'ers are spread out into many), those more frost tender things may be best sown later.

I'm aware that you can sow veggies, annuals and perennials but first I have heard of shrubs. what shrubs people sow?

Well, I sowed American Beauty Berry, Hearts-a-Bustin', and New Jersey Tea this year. Hoping some will sprout.

Karen

karen,

where can you get seeds? is it too late? is there any shrubs that can be sowed in spring/summer/fall?

seed trade!

What would be the advantage of sowing so early? For me it's saving on space that I don't have indoors and money I don't have to start seedlings with expensive equipment. Also if you're sowing perennials, at least in my zone they aren't likely to start sprouting until March anyhow. I have sprouts outside right now and it went down to 18 the other night and even snowed on them and they are fine in their containers. The other advantage is not having to deal with hardening off your plants, seedlings are already acclimated to outdoor conditions. In past years I've gotten a good start in December or January but this year I didn't start sowing until March - to be honest my results have been pretty similar as far as germination goes however, because I started late I haven't had the time to get nearly the amount of seeds out that I would have if I'd started earlier in winter.

I've bought some of mine, others I've gotten on the seed exchange forum on this site. The ones I have need to be planted in the fall, they need the warm-cold-warm cycle to germinate. But other types most likely don't need that, where a cold-warm cycle works, or just warmth. Research is key to knowing what seeds need the cold to sprout. If info can't be found, winter sow them. Same goes for perennials.

Karen