Seeds of hope

Such tiny balls of promise. I persist with seeds, follow instructions faithfully and so on, and I'm always so sure I'll have rampaging healthy seedlings and acres of flowers and fruit in no time, despite years of evidence to the contrary when all I end up with is sad, empty trays of damp seed raising mix. How could this possibly not work?! 

These are yellow columbines collected over the weekend from MIL's garden. I have just the spot, should they only grow!