Comments on: Winter sowing wizards

By: Stephie McCarthy

Stephie McCarthy — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 19:29:41 +0000

^ POP, I mean 🙂

By: Stephie McCarthy

Stephie McCarthy — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 19:28:29 +0000

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.

By: Jo

Jo — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:40:43 +0000

In reply to Tracey Shelton.

@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!

By: Tracey Shelton

Tracey Shelton — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 21:08:38 +0000

Can you Winter Sow in zone 7 B ?

By: Beth

Beth — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 04:57:45 +0000

I meant to try this last winter, but didn’t get around to it. This year, I’m going to do it!

By: Myra Glandon

Myra Glandon — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:31:19 +0000

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.

By: Stephie McCarthy

Stephie McCarthy — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 23:45:54 +0000

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.

By: Sue K. Gerdes

Sue K. Gerdes — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:04:49 +0000

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.

By: Lynn L

Lynn L — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:46:14 +0000

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

By: Jeanne Sammons

Jeanne Sammons — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 21:24:30 +0000

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!