zwoddle,
A few folks will start on the winter solstice (Dec. 21st), but it's really up to you.

I let the Holidays go by, and then start organizing myself in January, doing trades, purchasing seeds, gathering containers or checking what I presently have and getting them ready, etc. Then I start on or after February 14th. For two weeks I get the kinks out of starting my winter sowing.

But most of my sowing is done during the month of March. I find I get better germination if I start during that month. I will winter sow heavily on days which are no colder than -5C to -10C and show such a trend for a few days, including the night temperatures.

Just my routine and preference.

Zwoddle, like Tiffy I usually start getting things ready in January, because I don't get around to placing my seed order until after the New Year holidays. I have been advised to plant roses at the winter solstice, and I will try to do that this year since I have not been successful with roses from seed. But I think that Tiffy is on the right track about planting in March up north. I was forced to plant in March this year because I was out of town most of Jan & Feb. , and I found I did much better than last year. With respect to labels, again please refer to:
http://gardengal.net/page104.html
There is also a thread on this forum about labels which you might want to read.
Northerner.

It all depends on the seed, every seed have different requirments in order to germinate.

I too donÂt start my WSÂing till the last week of February or the month of March, making sure its a nice mild day, not when its Â40C! In my experience this is usually fatal to the seed embryo if you stick (moist seed) outdoors when itÂs freezing cold; in Nature temps donÂt go from +20C, then all of sudden with no acclimatization to an extreme temp like Â40C. So what I do is wait till itÂs around Â10C (this is mild in my climate). Or if itÂs any colder I will acclimatize my flats in the fridge for a couple of days then pop them outdoors when its mild. Once outdoors, locate them in a protected area, also shovel snow on top of your containers so that they will be protected against the harsh blowing winds.

I also should mention that I only sow the hardy perennial types that need a stratification period first, followed by the regular perennials that donÂt need a cold period and then the hardy annuals are sowed around April/May. Tender annuals are sowed indoors as usual, my climate is way too short to be winter sowing tenders so I like to start those early to get a head start... plus with our unpreditable late frosts its usually damaging to those particular seedlings.

Now there are some complex seeds that will require several time and temperature sequence cycles. Some need a warm period first, those are best sowed in the early fall in order to have their warm, then followed with the cold and by spring time another warm. Those are called Multi-Cycle or Extended Germinators.

If you're unsure about a seed, don't hesitate to ask about it's requirements.

Sharon

Northerner are your planting roses from seed and do they take long to grow? That would be something I would like to try. This year one of my rose trees, a climber, was beautiful and the flower was different. I would like to try this one, where do I find the seed, is it the ball when the flower is finished?

Zwoddle:
I will be planting rugosa roses from a neighbour's hips. I got the information from Donn on the 'mother site'. Try this link and you'll see some of his success.
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/wtrsow/msg061629444128.html?7
He sent me detailed instructions. When I find it I'll post it for you.
Northerner.

Zwoddle:
Unfortunately I cannot find the information from Donn, but I can give you some info. Yes, the seed is in the ball which forms when the flower is finished - called a hip. When this get fairly dry, remove it, split it open, and you see the seeds. Remove them, let them dry and save like you would any other seed. I've sown them in summer and WS'd them in March with no success. Donn has told me to sow them on the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21). As you can see from his post, he got some first-year blooms. I plan to try rugosa. If I can get some hips from another neighbour who has a very hardy shrub, I'll try them too. Let's see if we are successful. Good Luck.
Northerner.

I tried Rosa Glauca in the spring to no avail, but winter sowed them early last year and wow! I have three nice bushes 1 foot tall and already gave away two.

So in terms of roses, early is good. :)