How early can I start flower seeds in jiffy pots (wisconsin)?

sunflowers and shasta daisies- they will be planted outside when the weather is better...

How early can I start flower seeds in jiffy pots (wisconsin)?
You can start the shasta daisies now, but I would wait on the sunflower since it is quite a big seedling when germinated
Reply:Hmm reading spams' answer lol..in fact I already have tons of seeds going..my cantaloupes sprout out bigger than the sunflowers have..usually about 6 to 8 weeks before the last freeze is proper..tomateos about 10 weeks...You can start them now..do not use the common bagged potting soil for seedlings..it is too "dense" and compacts down to a hard substance hindering your the growth of the striving seedlings..I bought a large bag of vermiculite and perlite at home depot(about 4 feet tall but very light 16 pounds) I mix one third perlite,one third vermiculite, and one third peat mox together for a very light soil on my seeds..they retain moisture, and make a very loose medium for the seeds to emerge through..I have no less than 200 seeds already sprouted and getting ready to be planted...I take mine outside where they get natural sun as often as I can if not too cold..then when rainy and cold I put them under my indoor flourescent light to contiinue growing..A flourescent light must not be no further than about 3 to 4 inches from the top of the seedlings, or they will become "leggy" and fall over..here are a few pictures..Unfortunately I do not have a picture of the seedlings going on now..but I do have some of my basil and a few other plant pictures from an earlier date..here are some pictures of this going on and the end results..





http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/...





http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/...





http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/...





http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/...





http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/...





http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/...





http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/...





http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/...
Reply:It's almost spring there isn't it?





I would start them now but be prepared to keep them warm in a green hose or something similar or else they will die if it gets to cold. Especially the sunflowers, they love the heat.
Reply:I have started both of these flowers from seed but in different ways. You can start them 4-6 weeks before your last frost date, or when the package directs. However, I find they grow much better when direct sown into the ground. Especially the sunflowers. The ones that the birds plant for me always far exceed the ones I start in pots, which tend to get leggy because it's very difficult to get enough sunlight for them unless you have a greenhouse.





Here is a map of the last spring frost dates in Wisconsin.





http://www.wisconline.com/almanac/garden...
Reply:Put potting soil and time-release fertilizer in the jiffies, add seed and water, place in sun. Transplant to larger pot or tray as seedlngs get bigger. Contact Burpee's website for tips.





Make sure it is after frosts before putting outside. Timing of when to start the seeds is important. You don't want giant plants in the house waiting to be put outside.
Reply:check wlth the state agricultural extension service, for the last frost date. Back up 3-6 weeks depending on the plant..





Here is a starting site.





http://www.hort.wisc.edu/mastergardener/

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