Deanna, depending on what you are sowing, you do need to be concerned about your winter temps and seedlings...many things that would be winter hardy with established roots won't make it with roots at seedling size/development.

I fall sow a few things that have short viable seeds that can't be stored dry well, most won't germinate until late winter or Spring. I also sow a few things that need a warm moist period before the winter chill and those won't germinate until Spring either. I am sowing fresh cyclamen this week and those will germinate in a few weeks but this is Z8b - if we do have a few consecutive days predicted to stay below freezing as occasionally happens the pots will be moved off my deck to someplace more protected temporarily.

So, how well that might work for you could depend on which plants you are sowing seeds for - things that require a cold moist period to break dormancy are still going to germinate after winter if sown now....did you have something specific in mind?

I wanted to try that myself, but wasn't able to this summer. I do know that some people summer sow, making their plants more mature for the winter. Fall sowing is riskier because they are very young and not established when the freezes come. I had somebody in zone 7 tell me that I would need to sow in summer if I wanted things to be big enough to overwinter in my zone. If I were going to try it now, I'd try varieties that germinate quickly and handle cold best, maximizing their time being green. You could also extend it by bringing your jugs/containers inside for the first few freezes, just to give the plants a bit more time. People in warmer zones could probably start some things now. It would be ineteresting if you tried and reported to us next year on what survived. Maybe somebody with experience will chime in.

Oops! Didn't see morz8's post. She has experience, and she chimed in!

Too busy trying to get all of this year's seedlings - now plants - into the ground. :O)

I too have some seedlings that never made it into the ground :) All were butterfly bush seedlings.

I have sown some columbine when i harvested fresh seeds. I did them directly in the soil.

The rest I need to wait and clean the beds first.

Karen

Hi All - I have some butterfly weed seeds that I ordered but am at a loss on "WHEN" is the right time in central ohio to sow them. I am hope'n to get some of them to naturalize beside some fields on a farm So not your garden setting, they will have to compete with all the other ironweeds, chicory and so on. Any one with some helpful hints in this regard ? ? thanx Sheila

According to Clothier, some need cold strat but some don't. Those needing cold strat would be best wintersown.
Asclepias amplexicaulis, hirtella, purpurascens, sullivanti, verticillata, and viridiflora , Sow at -4 to +4�C (24-39�F) for 12 wks, move to 20�C (68�F) for germination

Asclepias exaltata , incarnata, and tuberosa, Sow at -4 to +4�C (24-39�F) for 4 wks in moistened sand, move to 20�C (68�F) for germination

Asclepias fascicularis, physocarpa, and syriaca , Sow at 20�C (68�F), germination slow

Asclepias speciosa , Sow at 20�C (68�F), germinates in less than two wks

Karen

I have tuberosa seeds - So is there a chance in heck of any of these making it if I just take a hoe or small shovel and put them in a very shallow little ditch or row? I don't have time to transplant , water etc due to location and other factors Guess most people on farms are trying to get rid of them not encourage them : D

I may be wasting my time but ohhhh well - Now that it's frosted fairly hard [repeatedly] I've attempted some Firepinks and some Catchfly to go along with that Butterfly weed Just took the shovel and cleared a few little patches on some sunny areas. So maybe next summer there will be some wildflowers that the hummers like - - Wish me luck - -

I am reading your post weedpullr and I can't help but to wish you luck.