Maybe you should try a different type of container. I use milk jugs and put four pretty big holes in the bottom for drainage. I never have to add holes for ventilation. Do you remember when you sowed the seeds? Maybe you should try sowing them at a different time? Since you do get a lot of rain, maybe putting them in a sunnier location so they can dry out a little quicker? These are just some thoughts I had, don't know if they would help or not. Good luck!

You need to make holes, at least 1/2 inch big, not slits. The coneflower and rudbeckia should do great, I've always had great success with them. I can't comment on your others, but I know some here have had success with astilbes, monarda and alyssum. You need at least 3 inches of soil in your containers, and don't forget head room for the top growth. I also like to put my containers in full sun until they sprout, and then I move them to part shade.

Potting soil sometimes holds way to much water and tends to get compacted and heavy. Potting mix is better for starting seeds. Look for a soilless mix - you nead something that has a lot of peat. I found this article that explains the difference between potting soil and potting mix. It also tells how one can make their own mixes.

-StLGirl

Here is a link that might be useful: potting mix

Your seed choices are fine. I have successfully wintersown all of those, and I sow columbine seeds every year. I used containers from takeout food my first year and was not happy with them. You need something that holds at least 3 inches of soil - 2 liter bottles, gallon milk jugs, clear plastic shoeboxes, anything that will give you enough depth and let light in. As dawiff said, you need actual holes in the bottom of your containers - I use an old glue gun to melt holes and lots of people drill or cut holes with a variety of tools. If you use a bottle, you won't need any extra holes in the top, but if you use something with a lid, you should make several holes to let the rain and the air in. If your containers don't seem to be draining properly, you need more holes in the bottoms.

If you want to look at my list, I would be happy to send you some seeds for postage - you send a few stamps and a mailing label, and I send the seeds. That way you have less money at stake, and more opportunities for success!

Becky

Here is a link that might be useful: Becky's seed list

I found that when I used cheap soil without enough drainage it killed the sprouts as soon as they managed to come up. It does sound like drainage was the problem in your case though. I use an awl much of the time to make holes rather than slits. Sometimes the shape helps things not to block as easily.

Sarah,

I am sure this year's attempts will be more successful especially if you try the things you list after the "Perhaps I should try" statement in your post. You seem to have hit the nail on the head since some of the things I picked-up on which probably did not help last year were the 'shallow containers', slits vs holes for drainage. You also have to consider that we had an extremely wet spring and summer last year - one of the worst in the east.

Be patient with the Columbine and Astilbe this year. Columbines are sporadic to germinate and the fresher the seed the better. Astilbes germinate a bit later than most perennials - late June to early July for me - and seem so tiny in their first year but they are so worth it!!

Over the past 5-6 years I've tried a lot of different containers & have never had great luck with shallow containers with shallow tops. I cast my vote also for 2L bottles, & gallon jugs. You can get enough depth of soil to hold moisture pretty well, & the tops allow for ventilation. Good soil is importiant too. I agree that "potting soil" will maybe compact too much & that "seed starter" will dry out quickly. Look for "potting mix"-everyone has a favorite that is available in their area.

Usually, Columbines are easy, OTOH they can be a little fussy sometimes also. I think the older they get, the longer it takes them to germinate tho.

I think I saw that astilbe is a bit fussy also.

They others should be OK.

I'm guessing to that the problem was the depth/shape of your containers....go deeper and make sure drainage is adequate. Fill one you've prepared but not sown, spray it down good at your kitchen sink until water is running freely out of the drainage holes - check your work that way.

You can't possibly have more rain than we do - 2" just yesterday afternoon wasn't even a wild winter storm and we don't have a dry day forecast in about the next 10. I've scrubbed algae off my deck and back sidewalk twice since Fall.

The rain doesn't effect my germination as long as the drainage in the pots is good and the rain is running out as fast as it is running in.

I think it is very important to have not only drainage holes on the bottom, but also ones on the sides 1/2" from the bottom. I think your soil stayed too wet and the babies drowned.

I agree that shallow containers were the culprit, too. I tried a few of them my first year and didn't like them at all. Now I stick to gallon milk jugs and 2 liters too, work much better. 3" of potting mix is beneficial.

Shallow containers just don't work well., don't drain well enough with most soil mixes. Assuming the same soil is used, the perched water table will be the same height in a tall deep container and a short squat one. Therefore the short squat one won't drain as well as the taller one. If you aren't familiar with the concept you can google things like "movement of water in containers" or "perched water table". Al (talpa) is the resident expert on the subject at Gardenweb and I'll link you to his original post (there are many continuations). It's long but very good. If you don't have the stamina to wade through it, use google as I mentioned.

Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: Al's post

Thanks everyone! I'm very much encouraged. I've lately discovered that I have drainage problems on a number of my indoor pots, and on the pot of daffodils I'm trying to force (happily, I don't think they rotted after all, but the soil sure did stay wet a long time!)

2L bottles it is (can you use the frosted milk jugs, or do they need to be clear to let in enough light?) and potting MIX this time, not soil. AND draininge HOLES not slits.

Thanks!

Sounds like a drainage problem. To alleviate damp soil I take a small steak knife and stab the side down by the base, give a twist and let the extra water drain.

Hi Sarah,

Glad you are now feeling very much encouraged! Frosted milk jugs are fine - that's what I use. Think the frostiness slightly filters the light. Solid white opaque jugs are not good - no light can get through.

BTW if you still happen to experience any drainage issues it might be helpful to post a photo of the problem. That way we can see what is happening and offer advice from there.

-StLGirl