Bedding plants

Yes by around four weeks at least-if they are half-hardies they need heat to germinate and good light and frost free conditions to grow on.

Now is not the time- there is no advantage at all in starting too early

I sow mine in March because they need warmth and light to germinate and grow and can grow leggy if you get them to germinate early and then the weather is cold and gloomy. Depends if you want to spend on heating the greenhouse as well. But I know others in this forum sow earlier.

I'm one of those of those early sowers but I would have to agree it's probably too early to start bedding plants. It really does depend on where you live and the weather condtions and it is only February so we can all be struck with cold, snow and hard frosts. I wouldn't bother with the cost of heating a greenhouse.

Having said that I've geminated lobelia indoors and are now in the cold frame as an experiment. They were free seeds so nothing lost if they fail