sowing mimulus seed

I have 50 teeny tiny bright green magical blotch mix mimulus seeds. I would prefer to direct sow them outside, because I don't have any grow lights available inside (what I have are dedicated to the veggies). Any advice? When is the right time to sow these seeds outside? If I start them inside, can they get what they need from a sunny window until they are transplanted? Or am I just too late for either option?

I am in Northeast Kansas, Zone 5 (Zone 5b to be specific).

Thanks.

Have you ever winter-sown? I winter-sowed mimulus last year and had fantastic success with them.

:)
Dee

It is very easy to start them inside, just sprinkle over your potting soil, do not cover since light aids germination and keep them under glass or in a plastic bag so it stays moist. The first weeks, they will grow slowly, you will be able to stick them when they will be large enough.

Thank you both!

Dee, I tried winter sowing for the first time this year, with nicotania. Just when I got a container of green poking up, we had a heat wave; I forgot to increase the air vents, and my wee seedlings all fried! But I'll try again next year.

Zarcanat, thanks for the encouragement; I'm going to try to start 1/2 of my inside now, and save the other 1/2 to try winter sowing next year.

Aren't they the most cheerful seeds!

Thanks again.

I just had great success growing them indoors - my first time. They are really tiny at first, but the last few weeks, they've tripled in size and now they are ready to start blooming (I planted them about 6 weeks ago.)