- Joined: January 2004
- Location: Pea Ridge, Arkansas
- Post Count: 741
Has anyone here done "winter-sowing"?? I'm trying it for the lst time
this winter and could use all the "in-put" I can get.
It bothers me that I have a container of seeds sitting out in the cold; I
do seem to have condensation(which I am told is good). It's hard not to
go out and grap the container up and bring it inside.
Ginny
zone 6/7
Ozark Mountains of NW Ark.
- Joined: September 2003
- Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
- Post Count: 7,635
There are quite a few people here that have done winter sowing with great success. I'm sure someone will give you good advice.
Mary Vancouver Island Zone 8
- Joined: March 2005
- Location: BC Canada
- Post Count: 9,693
Yep, Mary's right. You'll get some good advice soon... Me? I'd more likely go out and grab the container and bring it inside!
I'm in zone 8 Vancouver Island BC
- Joined: June 2005
- Location: Minnesota
- Post Count: 5,545
Arkie, I winter sowed last year. You are doing fine if you have condensation. That's important. And don't worry about the seeds, nature leaves them outside in the winter. LOL What have you got going? Connie
Zone 3/4
A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN IS A JOURNEY ANYONE CAN ENJOY!
- Joined: September 2003
- Location: Pennsylvania zone 6
- Post Count: 10,834
They will be fine if you sowed seeds that are hardy for your zone. Connie said it best "nature leaves them outside in the winter". Mother nature is taking care of them. Let her do her job. Leave them outside.
You are going to be surprised, you will never want to waste your time growing seeds inside again.
Do what you can where you are with what you have.
- Joined: May 2004
- Location: West Virginia
- Post Count: 3,374
A question I can answer!
Not many I can .... since I am kinda new to it all.
First Any perennial or self sowing Annual can be planted with winter sowing. Take and plant your seeds in containers. If it is those trays with lids they are fine. If not just put a baggy over them and cut a slit in the top for air flow. Put them outside and wait! They will not germinate till sometime in the spring when conditions are right... then... Viola' Plants!
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- Joined: April 2005
- Location: Zone 6 Northeast NJ
- Post Count: 1,071
Can you winter-sow right in the ground?
Zone 6 - Northeastern New Jersey
- Joined: September 2003
- Location: Pennsylvania zone 6
- Post Count: 10,834
Quote:
Originally Posted by jerseygirl
Can you winter-sow right in the ground?
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If you winter sow in the ground you risk animals eating the seeds or something blowing in the wind like leaves and twigs covering them up. Winter sowing in containers the seeds get the best soil and better controled environment of steady temps to germinate and grow.
It is like planting grass seeds you have to put down double or triple the amount you need.
Do what you can where you are with what you have.
- Joined: January 2006
- Post Count: 2,818
Am going to try to get my seeds going this weekend. I think it's finally cold enough. Hard to tell with the weather these days.
Chris Stubbe
Nashville, TN
Zone 6
- Joined: September 2003
- Location: NJ, zone 6
- Post Count: 10,025
I felt the same as you Arkie when I first started WSing. But they will be fine left all alone in the cold.
The conainers actually act as a mini greenhouse and once the weather warms up and there's lots of sun, they will sprout. That bottle or jug gives new sprouts the extra protection they need when it's still cool out in the spring.
I have a lot of containers ready full of holes, labeled and ready to go, but I still have a lot more seed that needs containers. I'm probably going to start in the beginning to the middle of February sowing mine. I've seemed to have better germination rates when I start then.
?And tis my faith, that every flower enjoys the air it breathes.?
William Wordsworth
- Joined: January 2006
- Post Count: 2,818
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ginny42
I have a lot of containers ready full of holes
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Where do you put the holes??????? Egads!
Chris Stubbe
Nashville, TN
Zone 6
- Joined: September 2004
- Location: Grand Prairie, TX
- Post Count: 2,046
Arkie - I winter sowed last year and probably will again this year. Had about 50 containers sitting out in the cold and they all did great. One thing to check on is the moisture. If you have condensation you are probably okay but don't let the soil get real dry. Mist if necessary. Once it warms up and you notice sprouts uncover your containers. What did you sow and what did you sow them in?
Brenda in TexasGod makes rain so gardners can get their housework done.
- Joined: September 2003
- Location: NJ, zone 6
- Post Count: 10,025
Quote:
Originally Posted by CMStubbe320
Where do you put the holes??????? Egads!
|
Chris, you need to put drainage holes in the bottoms of your containers and air holes in the tops. I use a screwdriver to poke them through the bottom. On the tops, I put little holes with a metal shishkabob skewer.
?And tis my faith, that every flower enjoys the air it breathes.?
William Wordsworth
- Joined: January 2004
- Location: Pea Ridge, Arkansas
- Post Count: 741
Bjmots,
I started them in a clear container I bought on sale at Wal-Mart. They
had a hinged lid. I drilled small holes in bottom and top. and then further
sealed the lid with clear tape. Container is 10"x15" and 6" deep.
I planted: Datura, Columbine, Blackberry lily and Redbud trees. These were
seeds that were sent to me by the lady who talked me into this.
I am thinking about starting another container. What seeds do you
recommend????
Ginny
zone 6/7
Ozark Mountains of NW Ark.
- Joined: September 2003
- Location: NJ, zone 6
- Post Count: 10,025
The blackberry lilies worked great for me last year!
Foxgloves, asclepias, lychnis, penstemons, any plant that needs cold stratification, even tomatoes and peppers did good for me a couple of years ago.
?And tis my faith, that every flower enjoys the air it breathes.?
William Wordsworth
- Joined: September 2004
- Location: Grand Prairie, TX
- Post Count: 2,046
Arkie - the blackberry lilies did well for me too. Other that did really well were columbines. Can't remember what else but will look at my journal tonight and let you know.
Brenda in TexasGod makes rain so gardners can get their housework done.
- Joined: October 2003
- Location: north east England!
- Post Count: 4,402
Yea well Im sowing some palm seeds right now, OK so theyre in the very warm airing cupboard but it is winter sowing..........
There's no such thing as bad weather,just inappropriate clothing!
My tree blog:
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- Joined: January 2004
- Location: Pea Ridge, Arkansas
- Post Count: 741
Larry, I think that is winter "inside-sowing". I'm "closet-seeding"
also. Papaya seeds. Tropicals need to start out in the closet, so they
can "OUT" in the spring.
Ginny
zone 6/7
Ozark Mountains of NW Ark.
- Joined: January 2006
- Location: Wichita Falls, TX
- Post Count: 1,726
How do I find that wonderful winter sowing link?
I know I should keep a journal. There was a wonderful link to a site about winter sowing. Thought it would show up here. Hmmm... Now if my mind could be winter sown to bloom soon.
galu
zone 8b
I love a giggle in my garden
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