Starting seeds outdoors


I'm going to start a new thread here...

Does anyone have a sure-fire way of starting seeds outdoors of
annuals/perennials?  My method (after much failure) is to work up the
ground and scatter the seeds.  Sometimes I cover with some dirt, but mostly
I cover with a smattering of either hay or mulch to keep the ground moist.
Now here's the hard part...  once the seeds germinate, I'm having a hard
time keeping the birds from picking off the seedlings.  I used to think
that it was cutworms or other insects, but I've seen robins and jays
snipping off young seedlings and flying away with them.  For what, I don't
know!

I've tried floating seed covers, but they seem to be too heavy because my
poor fledglings bow over from the weight of the cover.  Once I take it off,
they will right themselves.

What does everyone else do to ensure that seeds sown outdoors survive the
tender first stages?  I've resorted to starting everything indoors in peat
pots to minimize root shock.  I've run out of light and space.

Val in KY
zone 6a

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