"Winter sowing" -- that sounds like what those nice folks way up in the COLD north do because they don't have California weather.

As for us,...

Sweet Peas -- sow these direct to the ground anytime between now and when winter actually starts (Dec. twenty-something). They'll perform much better than if you start them in transplantable pots.

Bachelor Buttons -- sow these direct to the ground as soon as the weather starts to cool dependably and as soon as we can expect some decent rain. And just as with sweet peas, they'll do much better than transplanted from pots (including pot-and-all stuff).

Marigolds -- late winter sowing indoors is good with these. Then you can put them out in about late March or April.

Snapdragons -- TINY, TINY seed. Be very careful with these. Sow them now, keep them moist and actively growing and then put out the babies this fall when the summer heat is truly gone. Great fall-winter-spring annual.

Hollyhocks -- sow them NOW, in pots or direct. Don't wait for winter.

Have California fun,
Joe

O.K.Joe you just blew my game plan, so what the heck am I gonna put in those little "plantable" cups? Don't you disappear on me now! Pat

Pat:

here's an idea, or two...

Sow the hollyhock seed in those pots right now. 2-3 seeds per pot. Use seedling mix or potting soil.

Sow the snapdragon seed in those pots right now. As few seeds per pot as your eyes and fingers can manage. Use seedling mix -- NOT potting soil.

Put 1 or 2 Ranunculus bulbs in the pots with potting soil. Most people have a problem with proper watering of newly planted Ranunuclus "bulbs" (funny little fingery things). They're more easily managed in little pots. Plant them out as soon as you see the faintest hint of fibrous roots coming through the pot (as they woould in a peat pot; I'm not sure of your new pots).

Or go buy some seeds of other annuals/biennials that are best sown in your kind of pots right now:

Iceland poppies
Pansies
Violas
English Primrose
Stock
Sweet William
Cineraria
lots more

Joe (who didn't disappear)

Sure glad you have a sense of humor! I just made notes of your suggestions, so will be buying seed for Pansies, and some others. Found out these pots that I got are made of coir, which is coconut shell fibres, also just read some good info on google about the peat bogs. I recall someplace in central Calif. that had peat bogs, was it Stockton? Hopefully I'll get corrected on that one! Thanks Joe for taking the time to list these recommended seeds! Pat

Pat, National Geographic's Editor's Note this month contains bog info. One part in particular -

"About 990 million acres of peatlands remain on five continents. They are disappearing fast. Large-scale cutting of peat for fuel, harvesting of sphagnum for horticulture, and draining of wetlands threaten most of Europe's remaining bogs."

Of all the millions of websites, I couldn't seem to find one that lists all of the peat bogs of California. LOL

Good luck with your sowing!

Brenda