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Newbie -Reply

I garden in Michigan too.  It's a little bit of a challenge.    I try growing a
few different perennials from seed each year.  I highly recommend the
seed starter trays with the plastic domes.  You can use plastic bags etc
but the trays are less hassle and they are not that expensive, be sure to
use seed starter mix not regular potting soil .  The regular potting soil is
too heavy.  Follow the package directions.  Most of the larger seeds will
germinate quicker if you knick them a little with a nail file.    One of the
tricks I learned for starting the larger seeds is too put them on a damp
paper towel and cover with a damp paper towel and put them in a plastic
bag and keep moist until they  sprout and then transfer to the pots.  I find
the trickiest part of growing from seed is the hardening off process. 
When the weather warms up you can't just plant the seedlings.    When
you first put them outside you would put them out in the shade and the
gradually expose them to the sun.  If the nights are still cold bring them in
or cover them for the first week or so.  And don't start your seeds too
soon.  Most seeds you would start 6-8 weeks before your last frost
date.  In zone 5 that is the last week in May.  So you should be starting
seeds in April.  If you plant too soon the plants get leggy &
spindeley(sp?).  Most perennials will not bloom the first year you plant
them.

  Some of my biggest successes have been 
forget me nots -- I started one tray of seeds 2 year ago  and now I have
thousands
  goats beard
  jupiter's beard
  lupine
  columbine

>>> "kjser@webbernet.net" 09/10/97 07:58pm >>>
Hi everyone. I got tired of this shady area of my yard where no grass
has ever grown and decided to plant some hostas, ferns, astibles. I was
so delighted with it, I then started a perennial garden in another area
with full sun. This has been my first real attempt at gardening. I think
I've become obsessed! I was wondering what I'm going to do in the
winter. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to start perennials
from
seed? Something I can start indoors and transplant in the spring. When
should I start this and any other ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.
Karen Zone 5 MI
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