Yes, there sure is a way to spring summer and fall sow pers.
Don't give up on winter sowing, because of a bad 1st try though. I hate to pass blame, but it could have been any number of reasons why it failed. I wish I was better at the computer thing, because there is a page on "why it failed" Not your fault at all.
Keep trying :) It really does work great!
best wishes for a better year
:)Laura

I know, I am slower to start this year too........
In years past I have done lots of containers of perennials in Winter, then annuals in Spring, then another round of perennials plus annuals that needed "refreshing" (petering out zinnias, etc)in mid - summer - about 2nd -3rd week in July. Those perennials usually stay in pots until the fall, and then I plant them out. So, yes, I think that besides the perennials that NEED cold (not that many), you can start them later.

Nancy

Don't feel bad. This is my first year so at least you have containers available. I'm just overwhelmed as to where to start. I've got a really tiny place so once I get started I just want to get it ALL done and not do it piecemeal. I think I'm "over-thinking" it. I just need to 'dive in' !!

I turned a friend onto the WS info and keep sending her posts and anything helpful and now, she's way ahead of me, telling me how many containers she's got ready, etc. Of course, SHE has a enclosed porch to work in, plus a big heated garage so that might be the difference, ya think?

But hang in there. You'll get it done and you'll be successful. Like people tell me....it's trial & error at first. But dont' give up !!

bonnie aka brit5467

Don't feel bad about it. Push yourself if you really want to try again, maybe just 10, set an easy goal. You might get on a roll.

I didn't WS at all last year because I was feeling like you and hadn't had the greatest luck the winter B4.

So I spring sowed in 2009 instead, made the mistake of taping the jugs and lost about everything, put out only think it was 12 containers, should have handled the jugs differently for spring sowing, not quite sure how, watch closer, more vent holes, open when it's nice, watch moisture. I opened up all the nasty ones (all but about 2) and sprayed with dilute H2O2 got rid of the mold and white furry stuff, saved a few plants.

But every cloud has a silver lining. I spring sowed some delphiniums the tedious way, in a shallow container in the shade. Didn't need stratification, had kept them all winter at room temp, somebody just said to stick them out and get the out of the fridge.

I don't like transplanting into cell packs but do it when I want individual plants, only will for certain ones. I lost a couple from transplanting and then for some unknown reason more over the summer, was rough last year. Good germination for me, about 30/50, maybe would have even had more if I hadn't let the tray get sopped one day with slits for holes. Anyway I ended up with 15 fairly healthy plants in the ground by early Sep or so.

I had them in what are called deep-root 6-cell packs where you can hold some plants over longer or are for larger plants.

Just because everybody else is doing this and that doesn't mean we're in a race. Be good to yourself. Buy a few plants if you don't get any/many started.

You always learn from your mistakes. If I need a drainage hole, I am never using slits again. Will burn holes instead, the soil doesn't wash thru them. The covering can have slits, depends on what it is.

The slits will not drain rapidly enough in a real downpour if the container is open.