Last year I sowed 3600 containers (about 2/3 perennials) and this year 1000+ so far (almost all perennials).

That will finish filling up my garden and I'm am done with sowing unless I want to add a bit more genetic diversity to any of the species I'm currently growing. Old perennials can be divided or direct sown - I don't need to keep on WSing them.

All that's left to do after planting out this year is enjoying my garden, taking photos, and sitting on the porch admiring my garden some more. Oh - and seed saving off every flower so I can direct sow the rest of our 15 acres. :)

Lynda

It's my first year WS and I can't speak for others but I intend to shovel prune the things I've put up with because they filled in a space and replace them with new perennials I really want like more rudbeckia, Echinacea, columbine, ladybells, hardy hibiscus, blackberry lily, feverfew, poppy, sea thrift, Cupid's dart, turtlehead, columbine, foxglove, lupine, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. I want the flowerbeds to be overflowing with blooms from spring until the first frost.
I'm WS for others as well--my daughter, my neighbor and her daughter, the guy next door who'll be happy to accept one of everything, and last but not least the town. I'm a member of the local beautification committee and any perennials I have "extra" will be offered to them for planting at intersections around town. I'm also supporting ontheteam's charity auction and surplus plants will go to that effort as well. I don't anticipate a shortage of willing takers and I get the satisfaction of growing them, seeing them sprout from a tiny seed and handing them off to others who'll appreciate them.
WS is a great way to spend the dark, silent winter months that reaps a benefit when the weather begins to warm up. There are plenty who are willing to accept any excess plants I grow from seesd. I get a kick out of growing them. That's all I need to know.

Annuals and any new perennials I find that I must have. I'm trying to get the gardens to a state where it's just maintenance and growth over the next couple years. The sowing part is easy. It's the planting out that kills you.

This will be my first year digging some of the old out to make room for some new. Never thought I would get to that point! I have some rudbeckia and agastache that will be dug up and given to a neighbor. Most of my perennials grown this year will be potted up and put in the garden late fall.

I'm like you Deanna, I can't imagine what I will do with all these if they sprout! I don't have a bed prepared, so the current plan is to dig up one section of a bed I did last fall, move those things to another bed I did last fall (LOL), and have this one section for seedlings. It's right by the hose, so will be very convenient.

But if I have good success, I may not need to do it again next year - at least I don't think I'll do as much. I had already bought a lot of perennials before I discovered this, and I have just about got the front yard landscaped enough.

Of course I say that now...just like I say every year that I'm not going to buy as much this year. Husband just rolls his eyes at this point. :p

Since I mostly WS annuals, I will be busy next year as well. I do plan to build a cold frame with an exhaust fan that will hold all my tender annuals. Everything else goes in pots outside. James

Lawn is overrated, hence the possibilities are endless. Especially since the husband is beginning to think the same way. :O)

I have planted lots of containers this year, almost all of them native perennials. For me the fun and satisfaction is in the growing of different species. I will donate many of them to our local horticultural and wildflower society plant sales. I can't possibly grow all of them here in my own garden. At this point I don't think I will be growing nearly as many kinds next year. I may WS some, but I will be much more selective.

Ooo, tiffy! One lucky gal! But, then again...does no lawn mean he doesn't have to mow, or he likes flowers?!

Lynda, you win the gold medal here!

I think I will try to sow more of the same flower. Pick my favorites and add them everywhere. I sowed too many different flowers last year. This year I did better but could improve more.

Karen

Next year I will do just as I am now. Winter Sowing is my therapy to beat the mid Winter blahs. I don't really think I will ever stop.....always nice to have new plants in the garden and lots to share.

Deanna, my guess is that folks that are sowing hundreds of containers of perennials year after year, either have a lot more land than I do, or are giving extras away at plant swaps, or to family, friends and neighbors.

This is my fourth year of wintersowing, and I am almost at the 100 mark, but perennials only make up about 10 - 15% of what I sow. I do tons of annuals for containers for the front porch, and the rest is herbs and veggies (especially tomatoes). I'll always do a few perennials, because in my zone, not everything will make it through the winter, and some perennials, such as Rudbeckia, tend to be shortlived anyway. Plus, it gives me the option of ripping out plants that aren't performing well, or I've just grown tired of.

Bonnie