MileHIghGirl, I am in zone 5 as well and I took all this data from wintersow.org and broke it down into the months to start the seeds. What to start in Jan-feb-march-april. If you would like, I can email you my copy.

I assumed Y/N was Yes or No, for the seeds with less specific information. I could be wrong, so I'm curious myself.

That's correct. Not everyone that turned in data to Trudi, gave specific dates, just a yes or no, if it germinated for them. So just because an item has an N next to it, doesn't mean you can't wintersow it, but you might have to experiment with the sowing date to be successful.

Remember that the chart is made from the experiences of other wintersowers. It's not written in stone. Just because something wasn't (or was) successful for someone else, doesn't mean your results will be the same. A zone 5 out west, is way different than a zone 5 on the east side of the country. The zone only means their lowest lows of the season are the same. One could have several weeks or months of snow cover, while the other has none. One may warm up much sooner in the spring, and therefore get earlier germination. There are lots of variables, and not really any absolutes.

My first year of wintersowing, I relied heavily on that chart, but as I've gained more experience, I go more by my own records instead. The biggest thing I learned was to hold off on the tender annuals until close to the last frost date. For most perennials or hardy annuals, it probably wouldn't matter if they were sown in January, February, or March, because if they germinate before the last frost date, they will be fine, safe in their little jugs : )

Bonnie

conniesc, Yes, I'd love a copy of your chart. I need all the help I can get.

I put out some of the seeds I have that need stratification, which I KNOW need to be out now, the others are certainly more confusing.

I presume that in Denver I will need to put the jugs on the North side of the house so they are kept cold, and out of the direct high altitude sun, correct?

Thank you all for all your help!

Yes, milehigh, I would recommend the north or east sides of your house. My first year, I fried quite a few sprouts because I didn't realize the intensity of the sun here. DH built me a pergola over the patio last year, which gives a little bit of shade for the containers. Last year was my best yet, so I think that really made a difference. My patio is more southeast, than east, so the containers were in full sun until around 2 pm, which was just too much.

Can you list the items that you are unsure of? I'm sure we can help you figure them out.