I would like to know the best way to winter sow?

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I would just like to know what others think is the best way to winter sow. It seems like there are many ways to do this.

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diggerdee zone 6 CT

2 years ago

Hey Julie! I'm not sure this is a question anyone can answer for you for sure, as I think many of us have our own favorite methods. The basics are the same - a covered container, potting mix and seeds, and containers placed and left outdoors. Other than that, different ways work for different gardeners.

I can tell you what works best for ME, if that helps. After a lot of experimentation, I use milk jugs almost exclusively. I use a soldering iron to poke holes in the bottom, cut it open on three sides, fill with moistened potting mix as deep as I can, sow my seeds, close and tape it up, and put it outside. When the seeds sprout and start to grow, I gradually cut back the top until I can take it off completely.

I have used large foil roasting pans with clear lids for vegetables, placing jiffy/peat pots (small square ones) inside the pan and placing the whole pan outside. But I really prefer the milk jugs.

Good luck!

Dee

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Comments (9)

docmom_gw
2 years ago
I agree with Dee. One year, when I was planting crazy amounts of seed, I did splurge and purchase clear plastic ”to go” containers from Gordon foods. Those worked very well, after drainage and ventilation holes were added via soldering iron. But, milk jugs are far less likely to tip over, and more seeds will fit in each container.
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I would think the organic tag is a for marketing purposes... Its not going to add any value to your containers thats for sure, alot of companies are slapping that tag on thier wierdest places! BTW not to get into a huge seperate debate, but alot of these "organics" CAN and I want to stress can, come from unregulated companies in south america or south asia. Its dubious at best what they refer to organic is the same as certified organic in the states. For the most part, organic can be tagged on MOST soils sold in the state as long as they are not treated with chemical fertilizers or treated with seed suppressent. I wouldnt go out of my way to buy organic soil, thats for sure.. Lowes has pretty much closed up shop for gardening supplies until early spring, do you have any farm stores or feed stores, alot of these will carry promix or a something similiar. They like a sale even during wierd months to them.. they dont complain to dig some out of the snow =). Silverkelt
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Terene, Your columbine origami mixed color seeds will bloom the first year from seed. I planted mine a few years ago in mid March and they bloomed in June through the end of July. They have a long bloom period, rebloom actually and you don't need to dead head them. A friend of mine sowed some of my origami blue seeds last spring, in mid April and they bloomed for her all of the month of July. Since your's are mixed colors, you don't know what each plant will bloom in color till the bloom. You might want to plant each seedling as an individual until it blooms. Once you know which seedling is which color, when they finish blooming, you can move the plants into clumps of like colors to have larger plants for next year. If you don't care if they bloom mixed together than just plant them as clumps. I sowed mine, but they where all individual colors in cottage cheese containers, with about 15 seeds together in each container sort of scattered in the center of the container. then I planted the seedlings as one clump. If you purchase the plants in the nurseries, it is usually in a large container that has at least 10 plants in it. That's how a friend of mine that owns a farm and greenhouse in the area I live in sows seeds, and told me how to sow the seeds. They are worth the time to sow and the expense, they are a beautiful long term bloomer and stay nice and bushy, not to tall, not to short. Fran
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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
Have you found the Winter Sowing FAQ page? If not it’s here https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/winter-sowing-faq
kitasei2
2 years ago
If the idea of a soldering iron intimidates you, try a metal skewer heated on your stovetop!
gawdinfever Z6
2 years ago
Soldering iron is easy, fast, and efficient. (I've tried many options and this is my favorite.) Just use outdoors because of the order and you don't want to breathe the chemicals!
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
I’ve always used a hot skewer too. I don’t own a soldering iron.
Patti Chicago Zone 5b/6a
2 years ago
I bet the soldering iron works great! I do not own one and I have to prepare my jugs indoors. I use a very lightweight drill and a rasor knife when preparing my milk jugs. I bought myself the lightest drill I could find for this task. I use milk jugs and jugs from iced tea that have a flat bottom but I have also used some nice used fruit/vegetable containers. I love when I get to open the containers and let the seedlings get sun and air in Spring. Wintersowing is a great thing!!!
island2island
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I actually just use kitchen shears to cut four slits in the bottom of the gallon milk jug when I’m cutting the top.

Gallon milk jugs only, I dont use tape or leave the caps on. The translucent plastic works better than clear pkastic like juice bottles. I do love big salad mix containers for starting seedling on heat mats, but I digress.

Start with perennials and things that self seed in your area.

Use good potting mix (NOT garden soil) - I like pro mix.

Great way to get a ton of plants cheaply (like if you are doing a new perennial border). I dont think it gets you early starts (for things like peppers or petunias) but nothing better for huge numbers of cleome, columbine, coreopsis, coneflower, marigold, African daisy, rudbeckia plants for almost nothing. Pretty good for tomatoes like yellow pear, but we have a short growing season (zone 5 upstate NY) so I start most hot weather veg indoors.

I use the technique during the growing season, too (milk jug greenhouse in shade) for lettuce transplants and stuff that surface seeds and likes moisture (lobelia)
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
2 years ago
I started using a soldering iron but then just went for slits with a Swiss Army knife, much easier and I don't smell burning plastic.

One thing I learned--if you use those large grape containers or salad containers that have MANY ventilation holes around the top AND bottom--you'll want to close most of those up as I found those dry out pretty quickly while the jug-style containers stay nicely moist.

I would like to know the best way to winter sow?

diggerdee zone 6 CT

Comments (9)

docmom_gw

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