In our cool NW climate, if you want to minimize the time to flower, I think the best plan is to grow them in full sun in the morning and part shade in the afternoon, such as on the east side of a tree or house. I have grown them in full sun all day, and they are happy unless we get a very hot (90+F) day, which causes the leaves to scorch. Also, the seeds ripen very late. If you want to collect seeds in our climate, you really need to give them as much sun as possible. Bob Long in Salem, OR grows these as well as anybody I know, in a mostly sunny location with surrounding tall trees: http://s232.photobucket.com/user/motie42/…
