Okay, here it comes LOL

I'm thinking today, while planting my seeds, why it is that I couldn't plant a seed that grows in a warmer zone. I mean, if I'm going to harvest the seeds at the end of the season, of course, otherwise I understand why they won't 'come back'. Hardiness zones, as I understand it, mark the coldest temp something won't survive overwintering...so as long as it's past the last frost date, why can't I? Or can I and just misunderstood hardiness zones altogether?

Thanks!
Mary

Your talking about annuals I assume? You have to take into consideration night time temperatures too. Coleus cannot take a temperature below 55 degrees they turn to mush. So even if your day time temps are ok your nighttime temps may do them in.

The other thing that may be a factor is just how much brighter the sun is as you head south. I'm not sure about that one but I would check it before spending money.

HUH????????

Just making a funny there, Mary...
I think I got what you said...

I'm thinkin' of what I read you understand it...

The You have that correct... the warmer the zone #,
it will not survive a cold winter, *freezing temps*.

You can.. and it's what you wrote, it will produce a seed, you harvest it and then it has to be brought indoors or it will die..
But seeds still should be able to be taken from it.

The only thing why you may not grow a certain variety of something, it may need 120+ or more days to produce something...
Or it needs such warm temps, for soooooo long to produce some type of flower...

I've 'heard' people say this too T, but it never sat right with me...not that I can explain why, it just doesn't sound right...dunno

LOL @ ya Weezie. I've been talking like that all day - don't think many people can understand me when I get in these 'manic' phases LOL

But this makes total sense:

Totally makes sense. Guess ya just gotta really read before you plant <sigh!> Like that little detail about putting columbine seeds in the fridge for 30 days to get them to germinate? Grumble! Think I can get the planter in the fridge, T?

When you do your columbine seeds,
just sprinkle them in some 2" pots,
in a flat you'd get at a nursery..
Put them somewhere's where you know where they are, *so you don't step on them in the winter*
and put them in a pile of leaves, or by the base of the house..
I just left mine by a lilac bush..
but I sprinkled them in the pots..
Let ole mother nature do her snow time,
and come spring, I got my columbines...

VERY EASY TO DO..
Easy is my middle name..

I'll give you another for~instance in certain plants that might not grow..or produce..

Is bird house gourds.. it takes 120+ for them to produce a gourd from seed to producing...

I planted some, just as an experiment..
Doubt if I'll get any, but wanted to try.
I'm already behind in getting anything..

But you never know unless you try!!!!

but...but...Weezie...I planted em today I'm such a dweeb Can I plant some other seeds in the same planter box and let it overwinter come winter, or will it be too late?

ok, enlighten me? I always thought the birdhouse gourds were ceramic LOL I had no idea this was something you could grow. Then what? I mean, just cut a hole, hang and let the birds do the rest? Pretty nifty. Now I want one LOL!

Hmmmmmmmmmmm, two thoughts..
One is, mother nature would be planting them soon at this time anyways...
Mine are still blooming, one or two flowers here and there.. but big pods on them, so, soon they
would be drying up and falling off the plants..
so, it's not too far off of their schedule..

And there's not SET RULE for gardening..
I know columbines are a very tough, cold tolerant
plant, even had mine green in the very~very early spring time, while it's still snowing...sooooooo,
even if they sprout now and make a plant, I don't see why they wouldn't take hold..

The other thing is, can you see where you put the seeds??? To be able to plant around them?
Hard to say on that one.
Try it?? You just never know!!!

Yep, they're a gourd.....
You grow them, dry them, and sand them
******You have to wear a mask when sanding the
gourds, they are lung damaging if you don't****
*Not to scare you, just inform you***

But then you paint them and hang them and wait
for the birdies to take up home making 101!!

I did one's that look like swans this year..

Definitely will try it - though it'll be hard to know where I planted the seeds - they're all in a fairly big planter (and I dont think my other half will 'let' me put it in the fridge LOL) so I'll take my chances and see what sprouts

Wow, that's awesome! I wanna see! I wanna see!

I just googled it and saw some scary stuff in how they're prepared...one site says to soak them in copper sulfate to preserve it. That sounds dangerous to the birds, even if you do wait until it dries up!

You should post a birdhouse gourds 101 for us Weezie LOL How long do they last? Just the year or more?

I have never done any myself...
I've grown Luffa Sponges and the
different colored smaller gourds you'd
see at Halloween and Thanksgiving time before.
But not either of the bird house one's or
swan one's..
I originally wanted to do them as a Cubscout
project, but when I read about them, I thought
it best not!!!!

Wait, wait, first you said these gourds weren't ceramic...now you're telling me you can grow a luffa sponge??? Wow, I feel like a real goof now...I had no idea...um. May as well go ahead and ask the ultimate question...you're talking about the same kinda luffa sponge you wash with right? LOL!!!!

Yep, same one's...
You grow `em, dry `em, peel `em
and take a bath with `em!!!
They were alot of fun growing,
and washing with..
The peeling part was a pain in the pa~tootie!!!

Do I tell you we grew Broom Corn too!!!???!!???!!
& you make brooms outta them...

I think Njoynit's grown the luffa sponges too!!!

Hey, Just so you know, I'm going nightie~night..
I'll check this thread back in the morning..
I'm beat.. gotta get up at 6:00am and it's 12:43am.
*I need my beauty rest you know* Wink~Wink!!!

Hey Weezie, I had already checked out on ya last night *sorry* Needed my beauty sleep too LOL Don't think it did the trick though

That's really cool about the luffa sponges and the broom...I just looked for a pic of the broom corn - that's sooo cool!

I want some luffa sponge seeds please. Where do I get them. How do I grow them. Are they hard to harvest? Or hard to prepare for use? Huh huh huh. Inquiring minds want to know. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease.

[where is the pleading greamlin this is an emergency!]