Leeks from seed you would want to start asap as its getting late for them. Same with parsley. Soak the parsley seed in warm water overnight to coax them to sprout.

Peas you can plant outside when the ground can be worked. My cilantro reseeds itself, so I would plant them outside as well. Maybe space the seeding two weeks apart starting in mid-May. Basil I use with tomatoes so I don't need an early start with them and plant them outside in late May. Cosmos also reseed for me, but if you want earlier blooms I'd start them inside in about 2 weeks (April 1). Poppies I plant when the seeds ripen in the fall so they could go outside now.

tj

I would head over to the 'starting from seed forum'

A few comments/tips.

Direct sow Peas

Like said above it is a little late for leeks, rosemary and parsley, but you can give it a shot.

Flowers, except for the poppy, can all be started inside if you want, otherwise you can direct sow them.

I don't want to burst your bubble, but you will get few to no veggies if planted under Maples. Maples have VERY shallow root systems and will eat up all the water and nutrients before you plants have a chance. They also make VERY dense shade. Veggies need full, intense light to thrive and part shade to hobble along through the season.

Jiffy pots/pellets are terrible, the roots can not grow through the netting and peat holds water. Too much water = dampening off disease.

If you are determined to use them. Make sure you remove the netting before you plant them outside. This will rip off the tips of the roots, but it should bounce back.

Un-germinated seeds need a dome only. As soon as they break the surface of the soil (germinate), the dome must be removed. If a sunny window is all you have for light the plants will be leggy, they won't die but they will be scrawny. Most of us prefer shoplights 12-16 hours a day 1-3" away from the seedlings.

I hate to be Debbie downer, but how late the season is and the shade you are dealing with will frustrate you in the long run.

Any flower that reseeds itself should be planted in the ground, not a pot if you want it to come back next year.

Ohh.. Oregano.. be sure you plant it in a container. This plant will take over your beds.. you just can't kill it.

I hope that helps and be sure to stop over in the 'Growing from seed' forum

Keriann~

Thank you both for the helpful comments! If it makes a difference, I will be building a raised bed with its own soil mix, so I don't think the maple roots will compete. The shade is a factor, but I think I've found the area of the yard that gets a decent amount of sun to make it work. I've grown other herbs there... we shall see. I'll check the seed starting forum too, thanks!

If you can get a lot of morning sun, that will make up for afternoon shade. In fact sometime it is preferable.

By the end of the season, you may want to see how many maple roots have grown 'up' into your raised beds.

That's really great to know about maple roots. Three of my beds are near our maple trees. I guess I'll definitely have to turn them into raised beds next year.

I had a fair amount of success with my brassicas, celery, summer squash, and zucchini growing in the partial shade.