Natalie, from another Z8, sowing now would be Fall sowing. Winter sowing typically begins on the solstice (Dec 21) although many of us are busy enough with the holidays we don't get started with our seeds til done with those.

The seeds I'm sowing now are those that need a warm moist period before a chill.

Those seeds that will germinate without any chill could sprout for you if sown now and you'd have seedlings to tend on your hands all winter, kind of takes some of the simplicity out of Winter Sowing.

Morz,

thank you for the info! I am saving containers, and will mark Dec.21st in my calendar.

Can you recommend a book or site that lists seeds with their sowing times? I've 'kind of' figured some of them out by reading seed catalogs. I plan to start all my new plants through seeds this year, in pots under a tarp in my backyard (because of excess rain & also to prevent sunburn later).

Now I have to find canna seeds because I want to grow a wide variety for little $$.

Any more advice would be appreciated, re containers, potting soil, etc. I'm also going to start some figs, buddleia, fatsia etc by rooting stems (to share with friends).

Rainydaywoman,
check out http://wintersown.org/wseo1/WS_Database_Z8.html
It lists planting and germination times for our zone.

Rainyday, if you have adequate drainage holes, you won't need the tarp....the potting soil in your containers can only hold so much water and the rain will drain out the bottom. I place all my containers on my deck, in shade all winter. As daylight hours increase late winter they are gradually in sun and by the time late Spring is here I will move the germinated shade lovers closer to the house where they are out of mid day sun. Even most shade lovers are fine in sun at first, just as they would be if they had germinated self sown under deciduous trees so there's no rush or pressure.

Sorry I'm late in thanking you all for the good advice. So---thanks!

rainydaywoman, I have red canna seeds you are welcome to but I I did not see an email address. Please send me an email from My Page if you would like some seeds. They multiply so well from the rhiozomes I have never tried to grow them from seed - but I collect them anyway. I would like to give it a try if you have any pointers from your experience.
Thanks, Sylvia
aka slinky_2009