Hi Lorraine, I'm in Zone 3 (Alberta) and I WS'd some impatiens last year and they did well. I started them a fair bit later (end of March/early April or so for me) then the rest of my WS'ing. If I could WS them in Zone 3 I'm sure you'll do well with them in Zone 6.

Ang

I wintersowed them last year..directly into a plastic planter with a shower cap cover. Worked ok, but they bloomed later than the store bought. Just don't sow before last frost.

There was a discussion about winter sowing impatiens on the 'mother forum' some time ago, and it was decided that they were 'not worth the bother' for various reasons. However, I had saved some seed of my own and I sowed them last year on March 8 (I am in Zone 4/5 Ottawa). They sprouted and the seedlings were very small, but I planted them out. They bloomed quite late, and the colours were not true (my orange seed produced the most beautiful pale pink bloom). The concensus was: Since impatiens are inexpensive, the blooms from the WS plants are late,and the bloom colour is unpredictable, it may be preferable to buy the plants from a nursery and enjoy the bloom colour you desire. For me, just the joy of sowing it from seed is enough.

Well today I winter sowed impatiens. The weather in Toronto has been mild. I am hoping for the best that they'll do just fine. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Where are y'all buying impatiens seed in or near Toronto? I'd like to sow a white variety but can't find any seed for sale.

I sowed annual impatiens many years ago (indoors under lights), but I know I started it in early January. The plants grew well but were small and grew quite slowly. I don't think I would bother again, since all the garden stores sell them by the millions in my area.