Do we need a greenhouse? ...

... You make the call.

Seedlings in the dining room along with some potted plants that will go outside when the weather settles.

 Seedlings on the main light cart downstairs in the "plant room."

 Tomato seeds on the heat mat in the "plant room."

 Seedlings on the windowsill and bookcase in the "plant room."

 A homemade light cart in the entry.

Yes, we start a lot of seeds indoors. Since these photos were taken, many of these seedlings have grown enough to be moved out to the cold frames. Others are taking their place. Crazy? Maybe. But it's the only way to get some of the varieties that we want. Plus, it's a whole lot of fun.

Windowsill walkabout

One of the great things about spider plants is their ability to pro-create. Plop the babies into water and you'll have roots in no time. These are destined for a life outside in some mixed containers come summer.

"Fools!" the weather gods seemed to be saying today. "Did you really think late-springlike temperatures were here to stay?" Well, no. I think we all knew better but, still, this 30-degree day isn't much fun after a week of 50s and 60s.

So, prodded by this post from Gayla Trail, it seemed a good time to retreat indoors and assess what's growing on the windowsills. It's still too early to start many seeds here, and many of the plants I've been overwintering are showing the wear and tear of indoor life in the winter (low light and low humidity). But, despite the legginess, chlorotic foliage and droopy attitude there are signs that many of them are poised to turn the corner and get growing again.

The south window in the dining room is winter headquarters for many plants that will return outdoors in May or June. At lower left is an out-of-control Puerto Rican oregano. In the box are a peppermint-scented geranium, cordyline 'Red Sensation', another peppermint-scented geranium and an umbrella palm water plant. The big plant at right is a banana and the dish garden on the floor holds a selection of succulents. The tall plant at left behind the cacti is a ficus. The ficus and the cacti stay inside year-round.

Downstairs, we have another window with southern exposure. On the windowsill are a rose-scented geranium, bay plant, another scented geranium, plectranthus and abutilon. On the bookshelf you can see more Puerto Rican oregano, a struggling upright fuchsia, amaryllis and Swedish ivy. 

It's true -- I can't seem to get enough of scented geraniums. This is part of a tangled mess of potted plants and cuttings that I took early last fall that are ready to be potted up. They're under lights in the plant room.

Also under lights in the plant room are some lettuce seeds, agave and heliotrope. The leeks (back) already have sprouted.

10 annuals for flowers and foliage

Each catalog gets a list and then we make final decisions based on price, variety and shipping costs.

 Required reading this time of year includes a stack of seed catalogs. We get lots of them at sillydoggarden and, over the years, have come to rely heavily on a few favorites. For annual flowers, it's hard to go wrong with Select Seeds. This place just seems to be in tune with my taste, stocking lovely old-fashioned blooms that are fragrant, too. Other favorite seed sources include Baker Creek, Johnny's, Territorial and Stokes. Stokes is an especially good source for alyssum and lobelia, two plants that we grow by the flat to edge paths and fill containers. 

Some annuals are no-brainers that I grow year in and year out, no matter what. Others shift in and out of each year's palette; if I don't have the time (or money!) to grow them one year, they'll more than likely get another turn down the road. And, of course, there's always room for an experiment or two. This year I'm trying Schizopetalon walkeri 'Star Band'. It's described in Select Seeds as having petite feathery flowers with an almond fragrance. Anybody out there have any experience with it?

Here, then, are 10 annuals that are on my list for growing this year. The list isn't all-inclusive (what about heliotrope?), but it's a start.

1. Night phlox (Zaluzianskya capensis 'Midnight Candy'): The delicate white flowers open in the evening, releasing a sweet fragrance that you can almost taste. During the day the flowers curl up into balls, revealing the violet backside of the petals. A great pot plant to grow near where you sit in the evening.