I usually order seeds and start what I need or want from scratch. It is cheaper, more involved as a hobby, and a lot more fun (at least for me). I know some people do not enjoy planting, but for me it is relaxing and gives a sense of amazement at the miracle of them coming up! Also, you always get what you wanted.

Peruse some good catalogues and consider this tactic. You might enjoy yourself.

Ugh, I stink at growing anything from seed! For years I tried. I always lost them to damping & hardening off. =(

I was hoping someone knew where I could get young plants, like in pony pack or 4" pot size.

If you use a sterile mix and clean pots/flats, damping off shouldn't be a common problem in raising plants from seed.

There are places online that sell annuals (like White Flower Farm), but selection is limited and prices can be ridiculously expensive.

libbyliz,

I agree with hopflower. Growing from seeds is the best way to have a really good selection of plants, and it is very rewarding in its own right.

If you've failed at growing from seeds after years of trying, you were obviously doing some things wrong. Just learn the right ways to do it, using fluorescent lights on a timer and a sterile growing medium. A lot of people use a small electric fan to provide a healthy artificial breeze for the seedlings.

By investing just a fraction of the time you spent trying unsuccessfully for years, you can learn to succeed with seed. You might want to start by reading the book, Success with Seed by Karen Park Jennings.

Starting your own plants from seed can be a lot of fun. And selecting those seeds from all of the available seed catalogs can be a lot of fun, too.

MM

It would be nice if the growers of plants available in pony packs would offer a greater selection, but I do not expect that to happen. We are lucky to have Annies Annuals in our neighborhood, which has provided a wonderful selection in four inch pot sizes. She has now gone mail order and is growing her business at a breakneck speed. She is a Gardenweb sponsor, check out her website. Al

libbyliz, check out the Winter Sowing forum. I used to stink at starting seeds indoors, and had pretty much given up. Now I winter sow and sell bouquets at the local farmer's market. Although we're into spring, you can modify the winter-sowing methods a bit and still start your seeds now.

Good luck!
Dee

I'll have to get real equipment then & try whenever the funds allow for all the lights, timers, heaters, etc., & for wherever I have the room.

Lack of room has always been a problem where we've lived in small quarters.

I know the problems were with operator failure & not having the proper equipment. But I swear I used the right medium. It was purchased bagged stuff specifically for seedlings.

libbyliz, if you winter sow, you won't need lights, timers, heaters, etc. You have as much room as your entire yard because you put everything outside. I can't recommend winter sowing enough. It's a great thing!

:)
Dee

Here is a link that might be useful: Winter Sowing Forum FAQs

A lot of problems due to damping off are really due to overwatering and darkness which causes it. Just hold off a bit on the watering can and make sure there is plenty of ventilation for at least two hours a day.

Where are your best seed sources? I use Thompson & Morgan, but I'd love to know of any others you use as sources.

Definitely agree with starting the seeds yourself. Also, for foliage plants, you can pot up one in a smaller pot and overwinter in the house then start cuttings from it in the spring.

I normally order from Stokes Seeds.

It'll be an unpopular opinion here, but I believe that some people simply can't start plants indoors. I'm one of them.

I've tried for years. I've tried all sorts of different lights, the fans for circulation, the bottom heat for germination, the whole shebang. You wouldn't believe how much money and time I've spent trying to start plants indoors from seed. And each year I was disappointed, and then had to buy plants anyway.

Our growing season is too short for me to continue being frustrated, so I drive around in the spring. Fortunately, I have reliable options for nurseries, so it's fairly methodical; it's not a frantic running-all-over sort of shopping.

midnightgirl,

"Where are your best seed sources? I use Thompson & Morgan..."

I notice that you are also in a cooler climate, so you should definitely have a look at Stokes Seeds, because they have a good selection of northern varieties. For the same reason, you should consider Johnny's Selected Seeds. I always shop at Burpee's and Park's Seed even though they have seeds for all climates.

Those are my "big four", but I also shop, as you do, at Thompson & Morgan and their discount subsidiary, Value Seeds. A catalog browsing session wouldn't be complete without having a look at Harris Seeds, Territorial Seed Company, PineTree Garden Seeds, and for some really off-beat stuff, I enjoy browsing at H. L. Hudson, Seedsman. I haven't emphasized organic and heirloom specialists, because I don't mind growing the newer hybrid varieties.

MM

deeje,

"You wouldn't believe how much money and time I've spent trying to start plants indoors from seed. And each year I was disappointed, and then had to buy plants anyway."

"...but I believe that some people simply can't start plants indoors. I'm one of them."

There is no mysterious "curse" on you. You are just doing something(s) wrong, perhaps something simple like not using a sterile growing medium, or watering with bad water, or using a urea-containing nutrient formula, or using a nutrient solution that is too strong or missing a vital element. If you follow the directions given in Nancy Bubel's New Seed-Starter's handbook, I think you will change your luck.

MM

I bought that book mentioned above by Nancy Bubel when I wanted to start growing seeds about a decade ago - it is a FANTASTIC book, really explains things (especially the "why's" of doing things), not just the run-of-mill "how to" instructions. I highly recommend that book!

I want to underline the Winter Sowing method. I've been doing it for 4 years and my yard is full of plants I started from seed. I wouldn't have all these plants if I didn't WS. I start the annuals the end of March into April. You could still do it now. My friends weren't interested in learning how to do it in January when I start the perinials but their chopping at the bit to get any extras I have now! And I have a lot.
Marcy
Marcy