I hope you'll take pictures of your baby pecan tree as it grows. You definitely have the attitude of a real gardener. "Who cares if I'm alive to see it" The 80 year old father of a good friend of mine planted kiwis because he had never grown them. I thought that was one of the neatest things I've ever seen. He died the next year,but his little tree didn't. I'm just now getting my seed orders in and will be planting a couple of new leek varieties and I always try out a couple of new tomatoes. I've never grown millet but am going to try it this year. It's so pretty blowing in the breeze.How nice to be talking gardening again. Can't wait to get out the tiller.

Have a few dahlia seeds I will soon start. Steve in Baltimore County.

Oh, how I wish I had a sunroom in which to start seeds! I am getting the urge, so must find a place.

DH built a "light shelf" under my workbench, but the temps fluctuate too much, and it's out of my normal routine and gets forgotten. The dining space windowsill would work if it were wider, but it isn't. I am determined to start and grow my own Early Girl tomatoes this year, so will figure out something. Also I like to grow my own peppers from seed (purchased varieties often turn out to be something else) even though I usually give away the product. I just LIKE to grow peppers. They are so pretty!

And I can't wait 'til DH can get out the tiller!

Around here it's still a bit too early to start anything except geranium seeds. But mid-February I'll bring the seed trays down from the attic, and the starting soil in from the shed; open the packets and plant dreams.

Nan ~ Hang or staple some old towels or a quilt around the lights to block the drafts. Actually, drafts are good for seedlings because the air movement strengthens the stems, as well as helping to deter damp-off. But I'm guessing your drafts bring in really cold air; suprisingly, once the seeds have sprouted, cold air isn't much of a problem. Use a heat mat to maintain soil [root] temperature, and don't worry about the drafts as long as the ambient air is over 55°. See link for a waterproof heat mat (not recommending the company, just letting you see the product).

Here is a link that might be useful: seedling heat mat

Thanks, Meldy. I have a lot of clearing out to do first. Due to disuse, the "light shelf" has become storage space for some essential items. If they're so essential (not to me) they'll have to find somewhere else to live!

I planted the sweet pea seeds outdoors in December. I've never had any luck with starting seeds indoors. They either succumb to damp-off or to the cats. Luckily in this climate you can pretty much sow things outside all year long as long as you're careful about what you're planting.

Have any of you tried winter sowing? There is a forum at the bottom of the list which explains the way to do it.

I looked in on the winter sowing forum this morning and im headed out to buy some soil so i can get started. Ive had great luck with this method....

I've found winter sowing to be the only way I can start snapdragons!

It's a wonderful way to get a head start on sowing, but you have to be ready to do a lot of transplanting, sometimes sooner than the garden beds are ready. And winter sowing isn't suitable for some of the really finicky heat-lovers, but it IS great for a lot of the sturdier vegs and flowers.

My seed starting will wait til some business travel is over -- probably mid February. DSD gave me five packets of seeds in my Christmas stocking and I'm looking forward to five new varieties this year, including the zowee zinnia I've been craving.

Here are the two pecans that have germinated. One seems to be more vigorous than the other. I will plant them in a spare planter that I have that is ready later today.

{{gwi:139589}}

Dorph, that is just a beautiful sight.........one of my favs.

OOOooo.. nice. Now Dorph, don't count that little one out. Maybe it was just a slow starter.

I saved my boxes from the clementines and I think I'm going to fill them up and try winter sowing some lettuces and such in them. I have three, so I'll sort through the seeds I have and decide.

Thanks for the ideas/inspiration ya'll.