Ricky, it means basically once the snow has melted, ground has thawed, and the soil surface has dried out. It's not ideal to work in wet soil if you can at all help it. A bit moist underneath is fine.

If the seeds are recommended for direct sowing by a Northern-knowledgeable source then they will be fine with a few frosts or snowfalls after they have sprouted. This is the same principle as wintersowing. Direct sowing is good for some plants that don't like transplanting, and also reach maturity quickly therefore there is no great advantage to wintersowing. However, some things may be recommended for direct sowing that don't have time to reach maturity and bloom in our climate.

Around here it is usually around early May that I direct sow stuff like Batchelor's Buttons and Love-in-a-Mist.

If you have questions on specific seeds, just ask.

Ricky, a few years ago I direct sowed columbines, love-in-a-mist, nemophilla and poppies. They now come back all the time even after harsh winters. I also notice that my blue flax, sunflowers(Russian Mammoth), pansies, and sweet alyssum all self-sow no problem.

This year I've already direct sown some asters, venidium, and marigolds. The marigolds only because the seeds spilled when I ripped out the old marigolds from last year. Not sure if they will come up or not, but we'll wait and see.

~Ang~

Marigolds do great direct sowed, Ang, mine self seed all over the place.

Calendula also self-seeds all over the place, so it's a good one to put in early. My relatives up near Edmonton like to fall-sow some peas and carrots for early veggies, so're they're pretty tough. I have spinach and lettuce self-seed, so do my Dad's parsnips. Beans and corn are very sensitive to cold soil. I have a really hard time growing corn.

Would it be OK to direct sow sweet peas already? The package says to sow as soon as the ground can be worked (just like Ricky was saying), but it seems early to me.

Go ahead with the sweet peas. I do it all of the time and now is perfect because they, like regular peas, germinate better with cooler temps. Also, I like to use innoculant on them. Some people may disagree, but I think I get more blooms.

Shauna

Yeah!! I didn't realize I could start my garden already (mom always did all hers later) I think I may soak my peas and sweet peas today. (it's supposed to get into the 20s for the rest of the week here...so sounds like a good time to start. : )

Verena (Doin' the spring time happy dance)

Gil, that's awesome that marigolds self-sow like that! Usually I rip them out before the seeds go all over the place but I just may have to correct my ways now! 8^) I'll have to get my 5-yo out there and direct sow some more soon. She calls marigolds "MY plants" and she is very possessive of them! Too funny. Usually I direct sow them on the May Long Weekend -- I (I should say WE) won't wait that long anymore!

~Ang~

Thanks Shauna! I've been dying to plant something so I'll get soaking those sweet peas as soon as I get home!

Does anyone know how early I could direct seed nasturtiums into my containers? I could keep them under the carport outside so that they can't get frost on them. Thanks!