Pacific Northwest Garden Forum: Starting seeds outdoors

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   When is the right time to start seeds outdoors in the PNW?  I live in Olympia.  I'd like to plant California poppy, sweet peas, and nasturtium.  I tried sewing their seeds in early February, but none have started up.

The native wildflower seeds I sowed in flats outdoors this winter haven't sprouted, either.  Is that to be expected?  Maybe it hasn't gotten warm enough? 

I also planted lupine in the fall, but they haven't sprouted.

There are birds, rabbits, chipmunks, and squirrels around, but surely they couldn't have gotten everything?

I'm new to the Pacific northwest, and this is my first spring gardening here, so I'm not sure what to expect.

Thanks!

Leslie

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LeslieG Rainy Side Gardener Joined: Dec-13-2009 Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor Posts: 15	Topic: Starting seeds outdoors Posted: Mar-21-2010 at 4:07pm
	When is the right time to start seeds outdoors in the PNW? I live in Olympia. I'd like to plant California poppy, sweet peas, and nasturtium. I tried sewing their seeds in early February, but none have started up. The native wildflower seeds I sowed in flats outdoors this winter haven't sprouted, either. Is that to be expected? Maybe it hasn't gotten warm enough? I also planted lupine in the fall, but they haven't sprouted. There are birds, rabbits, chipmunks, and squirrels around, but surely they couldn't have gotten everything? I'm new to the Pacific northwest, and this is my first spring gardening here, so I'm not sure what to expect. Thanks! Leslie

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JeanneK Mod Joined: Jul-28-2003 Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro Posts: 2178	Posted: Mar-21-2010 at 7:25pm
	Welcome to Rainyside, Leslie! Hmmm, my california poppy have sprouted and are about 2 inches at this point but I am in Portland and the site they are in is full sun. How much sun are your seed getting? Hopefully, some one from up North will respond! Edited to add:If you sowed them in early February, I would give them a few more weeks before you give up on them. Edited by JeanneK - Mar-21-2010 at 7:26pm
	Jeanne
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Joy C Rainy Side Gardener Joined: Feb-10-2009 Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro Posts: 288	Posted: Mar-22-2010 at 3:12pm
	After gardening in the PNW for more years that I willingly admit, I have given up on being the first on the block... We have such nice long autumn days for an extended growth period. Starting a little later often gives you satisfaction watching plants grow without a bump in weather that takes 3 weeks to recover from. This spring, however, has really been a challenge to ignore wanting to get seeds going. One of these light years, I really will actually only plant 6 lettuce plants every 3 weeks, but then what would my neighbors think if I didnt force them to take another head of lettuce, PLEASE!
	Joy
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LeslieG Rainy Side Gardener Joined: Dec-13-2009 Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor Posts: 15	Posted: Apr-01-2010 at 6:55pm
	I decided that they must have rotted or been eaten by birds, so Sunday I ordered some new seeds online. Wouldn't you know, Wednesday they started growing! It's okay. Now I have extra! :) :) Still laughing ... Leslie
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DebbieTT Admin Group Sunset zone 5, USDA zone 8 Joined: Jan-25-2003 Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula Posts: 4306	Posted: Apr-05-2010 at 9:49am
	Keep the seed in the fridge and you can use them next year and the year after. California poppies will reseed on their own so you shouldn't have to buy more seed.
	When the going gets tough, the tough need a hug.
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