Wintersown delphiniums
Winter sowing is one of those revolutionary ideas that can change a gardener’s world forever, especially if you live in a cold climate or at a high altitude where the growing season is short and the winters long.
When we think of wintersowing, we hardly mind the cold and snowy weather outside …
Winter landscape by Sue Langley
Years ago, I learned from fellow gardeners on the web that with just a little outdoor space (in the sun, and somewhat sheltered from the wind is ideal), it’s possible to extend the growing season by leaving seeded containers outside, protected from elements with recycled plastics. The technique is called “winter sowing.” This is a great way to increase the amount of plants you have in early spring, plus condition hardy seeds naturally. Planting in advance for me, means more free time in spring for other projects.
So, here I am on a winter day, moistening the soil in my recycled grape and lettuce containers. Do I look cold?
Sown Chocolate-scented Daisies
I get out all my saved seeds and sow them in the containers filled with about 3 inches of soil.
I lined the boxes up next to the garden shed….and now I do,….NOTHING! That’s the best thing about wintrsowing,…that you leave the rest to Mother Nature. Rain and cold will soften and swell the seeds and chill them, readying them to sprout at just the right time.
Winter sowing boxes are recycled food containers filled with planted nursery pots. Plastic milk and water jugs are typically used in winter sowing, but we ended up using the type of hinged lid grape and lettuce boxes.
Follow the instructions on seed packs, and water well. Then, leave the planted containers in a somewhat sheltered place. The idea is to LET THEM FREEZE and thaw in a natural rhythm.
Wintersown delphiniums
In a few weeks we see the seedlings begin to show green. Close them up now and only water a bit if there is no rain for many days or if you get a sunny Indian Summer.
Jane Krauter’s baby lettuce seedlings,…coming along in February
My wintersown seed containers in the snow!
• You can winter sow any time during the winter, aiming for at least two weeks of freezing to help condition your seeds.
• You do not need to water your containers during the winter. Water once while planting them.
• For milk or water jugs, cut them nearly in half leaving a sort of hinged side. Group these in bins so they do not get tipped over.
• For plant labels, use recycled mini blind plastic cut with scissors, then etch the seed names using the tip of an awl.
• It’s always a good idea to check your containers periodically to make sure they are draining properly. Holes may become blocked over time.
• Older storage boxes can be recycled as mini green houses on containers or directly on the ground in the garden.
You will love the vast selection of plants that can benefit from winter sowing.
With winter sowing you can use your imagination and whatever is handy to create the containers and grow lots of money-saving plants from seeds. Here are some recycled produce boxes ready for sowing, photographed by Sue Langley.
Every year we have to brush out, wipe, and freshen my containers with a few spritzes of good old~fashioned bleach water. We use ordinary top soil because winter sown containers do not seem to be troubled with damping off disease.
The plastic boxes now used as mini green houses go right on the ground. Take a peak with me on this snowy day. These delicious mesclun greens, a mix of assorted small young salad greens that originated in Provence, are well protected in this January weather.
There are lots of variations on techniques, bright ideas, and good information from gardeners who winter sow—
Karen Settles I tried this last year and was surprised at my success . . yes, it does work with a lot of seeds and I WILL be doing it again this year. Wish I could find some of those grape containers . . ours around here all come in plastic bags . . lol I improvised with the 5 qt ice cream buckets with the lids cut out . . . cover with saran wrap . . snap the cut out lid back on. . poke a few holes in the saran wrap and you have little mini greenhouses!
Denise Ackermann I do this with my flower seeds, especially Blue Bonnets. Seeds usually do a lot better if they are outside in the dirt thru the Texas Winter, even the freezes.
Winter Sowing My First Year, by Sue Langley
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View Comments
This is very exciting, Stephie McCarthy! No, I have never 'winter sown' ... looks so intriquing! The photos you've posted in this article are beautiful....icy cold & the warmth of protection & Spring plants. Thank you...I learned alot!
Great article! I researched this several years ago but haven't tried it yet. I may finally try it this year. Here is the best site I have found on this topic: http://wintersown.org/wseo1/index.html
Lynn
I am liking this a lot. Heard of it but never studied it. So how much cold can these containers take ? I have a summer house that has screens for windows but the protection from the wind is there. We live in S.D. so our growing season is so-so and this would give me a jump on things.
It would definitely work in SD, Sue. With protection from the wind, some sunshine, and some hardy seeds, they will come up perfectly in those mini hothouses. I only water mine once in the beginning, then the rain gets in through the holes in the top. You might have to water your boxes once in awhile, or just put them where they will catch some rain like around the eaves of a building. They usually come up around April for me here in on the cold side of a mountain where I don't get sun until about noon. But the seedlings catch up real quick, no damping off disease and no special dirt needed! My thing is it saves a lot of space here in the house—no more crowded rooms with straggling plants. I get nice healthy seedlings and can cover them up quick on the cold nights, and uncover them when the sun comes out.
I have never tried this, but you have inspired me to try it. Now I need to find some milk jugs or 2 liter bottles....
Plants are so expensive, and this will definitely be more economical. Thanks for the great article.
I meant to try this last winter, but didn't get around to it. This year, I'm going to do it!
Can you Winter Sow in zone 7 B ?
@Tracey - I'm in zone 7b also (NC) and hesitant to do this but will do it this year and accept the end result. Actually, tomorrow I'm planing to go get some good soil for the seeds. Could you please let me know what you find about zone 7b winter sowing? Thanks!
Yes, it's great in Zone 7 too! You may get a few warm spells, BUT seeds are very smart and are not usually fooled by brief cold spells, even in this kind of micro-climate. If you do think your sprouts are coming up early, just keep an eye on them and move them to a cooler shadier area to slow them down. By April, you can leave the tops off during the day when it is hot! That's one thing that makes these boxes easier than milk jugs. Just pot the lid back on for night time dips.
^ POP, I mean :)