Winter Sowing Outdoors - in February!
Although January and February are a bit too early to start most annual seeds, there are things that you can do in winter to make sure that you are off to a running start. January is the perfect time to start winter sowing. Seeds that require cold stratification, hardy perennials and hardy annuals, and many native plants can be started in milk jug seed pots in early to mid-winter. The containers form “mini greenhouses” in which the seeds will naturally germinate in early spring.
Some common plants that are appropriate for winter sowing are: snapdragons, marigolds, rudbeckias, tithonia, poppies, foxgloves, gaillardia, echinacea, milkweed, herbs and cool season vegetables. Many lists are available online.
Information on seed packets will also help you to figure out which seeds should be planted when. “Direct sow after all danger of frost has passed” becomes code for planting in late winter/early spring, and “start indoors 3-4 weeks before average last frost” means sow in milk jugs in mid to later winter, while “sow 4-6 weeks before average last frost” indicates planting time in early to mid-winter. (https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/milk-jug-winter-sowing.htm)
To begin, you will need plastic water, juice or milk jugs, potting soil (not seed starting mix), vermiculite (optional), labels, a paint marker for labelling (permanent markers will fade), a spray bottle, duct tape and of course, seeds.
Cut six drainage holes in the bottom of a gallon jug and then cut almost all the way around the jug about 4” from the bottom, leaving the handle intact as a hinge.
Fill the bottom of the jug with 3 ½” of slightly damp planting medium. Plant the seeds according depth on the seed pack. You can usually plant 6 -12 seeds or more in a gallon jug. Sprinkle the seeds with a light coating of vermiculite or potting mix and tamp down gingerly. Spray to moisten the seeds well. Put a plastic label, with the name written in pencil or with a paint marker, in the jug. Close the top of the jug and seal it with duct tape. Write the plant name with the garden marker on the duct tape or attach another type of label to the handle of the jug. Leave the lid off to allow rainwater to enter.
Place the containers in an area of sun outdoors. Water the seedlings lightly if they dry out. When temperatures hit 50-60F, remove the tops of the jugs so the seedlings don’t bake. Cover again in the evening. When the seedlings have produced at least two sets of true leaves, you may transplant them into individual containers to allow the roots to grow and or transplant them directly into the garden.
Some common plants that are appropriate for winter sowing are: snapdragons, marigolds, rudbeckias, tithonia, poppies, foxgloves, gaillardia, echinacea, milkweed, herbs and cool season vegetables. Many lists are available online.
Information on seed packets will also help you to figure out which seeds should be planted when. “Direct sow after all danger of frost has passed” becomes code for planting in late winter/early spring, and “start indoors 3-4 weeks before average last frost” means sow in milk jugs in mid to later winter, while “sow 4-6 weeks before average last frost” indicates planting time in early to mid-winter. (https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/milk-jug-winter-sowing.htm)
To begin, you will need plastic water, juice or milk jugs, potting soil (not seed starting mix), vermiculite (optional), labels, a paint marker for labelling (permanent markers will fade), a spray bottle, duct tape and of course, seeds.
Cut six drainage holes in the bottom of a gallon jug and then cut almost all the way around the jug about 4” from the bottom, leaving the handle intact as a hinge.
Fill the bottom of the jug with 3 ½” of slightly damp planting medium. Plant the seeds according depth on the seed pack. You can usually plant 6 -12 seeds or more in a gallon jug. Sprinkle the seeds with a light coating of vermiculite or potting mix and tamp down gingerly. Spray to moisten the seeds well. Put a plastic label, with the name written in pencil or with a paint marker, in the jug. Close the top of the jug and seal it with duct tape. Write the plant name with the garden marker on the duct tape or attach another type of label to the handle of the jug. Leave the lid off to allow rainwater to enter.
Place the containers in an area of sun outdoors. Water the seedlings lightly if they dry out. When temperatures hit 50-60F, remove the tops of the jugs so the seedlings don’t bake. Cover again in the evening. When the seedlings have produced at least two sets of true leaves, you may transplant them into individual containers to allow the roots to grow and or transplant them directly into the garden.
Seedsmen reckon that their stock in trade is not seeds at all ... it's optimism.
~ Geoff Hamilton
~ Geoff Hamilton