"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Monday, January 10, 2011

First batch of the year!

No, it's not brownies that I'm making, it's winter sowing!  This is my third year winter sowing and it has probably been my most successful form of seed starting.   I had never heard of winter sowing until I came across it on a forum on Garden Web a few years ago.  Now I can't imagine not doing it.  The prep work can be a little messy to do indoors if you're like me and are wimpy about doing this outside in the cold weather.  The first year I tried it in the kitchen I made a huge mess, last winter was so mild I was able to do it outside.  This year it's freezing out complete with snow flurries.

You can use many types of containers, if you click on the winter sowing forum you'll find all types of ideas for what you can use.  I found that foil pans are fairly cheap and reusable and take up little storage space.  I learned a few tricks to prevent the mess I made the first time.  I lined a couple of large cookie sheets with paper towels to absorb the muddy water that leaks through the bottom of the pans.

Probably most people would use a bucket full of potting soil and a shovel to mix the water in with rather than a large mixing bowl and spoon, but since all that stuff was outside and covered in dirt I used what I could find inside, besides isn't this a better use?  Maybe that's because I'm not much of a cook?

There are holes punched through the bottoms of all these pans so that the muddy soil can drain.  I fill them just about to the top, the soil is pretty wet.

Because I don't need huge amounts of plants I use half a pan for each type of seed.  This year rather than trying to use tape to write names on each pan I just numbered the sides and lids and wrote the name of the seed on a piece of paper.  I try to be sure to put seeds that will have different looking leaves from the one they share the pan with so I can tell which is which later on.  The Columbine seeds are from Alison at Bonney Lassie and the Brunnera are from Lona at A Hocking Hills Garden.

I just sprinkle the seeds right on top, maybe pat them down just a little.

The plastic lids have holes punched in so that rain can moisten the soil.  They will sit on the deck for the rest of winter and be transplanted after the last chance of frost.  Some seeds germinate quickly while others seem like they never will and then surprise me right after I threaten them with the compost bin.

I will do more winter sowing in a few weeks and wait even longer to winter sow annuals since most of them seem to sprout quickly.  There is a Facebook page for the winter sowers group that also has lots of information on it.  
It feels so good to have started the first seeds of the season.  Now I look forward to seeing blooms!
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40 comments:

  1. hi Catherine, I kind of remember this being talked about last year.....most interesting way to go about sowing the seeds. It sure beats scattering them in the garden and hoping they find their way through the leaves (and don't get trampled on by three dogs).

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  2. Oh, you're making me want to get started on my winter sowing too! I did a couple of turns around the garden today around 1:30, and it was soooo cold! I did mine outside last year too, it was so convenient.

    Great idea using the cookie sheets. I put paper towels under them, but they always get soaked through very quickly.

    I hope you get lots of little variegated baby columbines!

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  3. I saw a little about this last year but didn't get around to researching it much. I'm going to read the site you listed and watch to see how your seeds do. It sounds like a great technique.

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  4. just about to start mine this weekend...can't wait to see how yours comes along...using a grow light this year to get them to grow a little stronger

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  5. Catherine, this really looks neat. I am afraid that my zone is much to cold for this method, but I have my plant lights set up and will soon be winter sowing inside the house.

    Eileen

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  6. Yikes, I feel behind already! We just ordered all of our tomato seeds yesterday, realizing that 'it's that time of year again'. Sort of managed to sneak up on us! I admit, I'm a wimp, and made a HUGE mess of our kitchen last year. I was picking seed starting mix out of every nook and cranny in the kitchen for weeks after our first sowing. This year, I'd do it all over again. 28F here this morning, and I live in California because I don't like COLD! I'd much rather sow seeds by the fire :P Good luck to your new little sprouts...I must admit, with their lids on, they look like they could be trays of brownies!

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  7. Catherine,

    Looks like messy brownies to me! No even ordered seeds yet as well.

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  8. Oh Catherine, what a fun post for me! I have never seen this before, and I guess I never really knew what winter sowing meant. (reason no.99 I need to get out of Vegas!) I wish I could do something like that here, but I'm afraid it might not work as well, and of course I would have to water them regularly since we can't rely on the "rain." Thank you for giving me another taste of gardening in Washington. I still pray that one day I will experience it for real! Have a great week. :-)

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  9. It looks like you are taking spring into your own hands ~ love it!

    xo Catherine

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  10. Oooohh-that sounds like something I CAN DO! Starting seeds indoor scares me...
    Congrats!! Mmmm Brownies :)

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  11. Winter sowing... Really interesting. It's too cold in our parts to do that. Looking forward to see what grows!

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  12. Great job Catherine! I've never tried winter sowing but I think I should for a couple kinds of seeds that I can't get to germinate the regular way. I hope you have great success!

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  13. Thanks for the great lesson! I may try this - or convince The Great Dane to try it.

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  14. Hi Catherine, This look so easy, almost to easy. Do you leave the flat on the deck the rest of the winter and does it freeze solid...or is your winter milder then Southern Ontario?

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  15. This is like so much fun. Good luck on your seedlings and happy gardening.

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  16. It is a great way to do it. The plastic covers really help. I use to do that in a large window and had a room space heater below that helped to keep the soil warm. It is fun to have them start inside the house.

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  17. This is a lot of fun and I think you can try it in many zones colder than us in zone 8. The winter sowing forum will explain when to start seeds depending on your zone. They will stay outside all winter. Two winters ago they did freeze through but it everything still germinated.

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  18. You are so dear. I haven't done this for two years, but I use all the organic salad greens containers that are black plastic on the bottom and have clear plastic lids. They're smaller, but especially good for kids to use for their projects.

    Green dreams to you dear,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  19. Can you share the facebook group link? I cannot seem to find it on my own :(

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  20. This all looks so orderly and not a speck of dirt anywhere! Just love your use of the green mixing bowl and spoon for indoors. I'm holding thumbs all your seeds germinate. I can't wait to watch their development with you :)

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  21. Catherine ~ What a great post and what a wonderful way to deal with snowy cold weather outside.

    Happy winter sowing and may all your seeds sprout and bring you much joy and beauty come spring.

    FlowerLady

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  22. I tried this last year and it seemed the ones that germinated were healthier than the ones I started inside. Wonder what success the greenhouse will hold this year?

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  23. A good sign that spring will arrive at some point!
    It's 15˚ out this morning.

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  24. Wow Catherine you go girl. Last year I did the same thing but had them in a bedroom window. I like this idea because the bedroom cannot house them now and I was wondering what I was going to do. I also used the small plastic drink bottles and they worked well for transplanting. I will have to figure out what I'm going to use but definately will put them outdoors in a sunny spot. I'm sure looking forward to all the beauties we'll be seeing this year.

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  25. You go girl! I am still trying to figure out what I want to grow yet. I need to try winter sowing and I have the pans that I bought at Christmas time and even saved a few milk jugs just in case. Do I have to keep knocking the snow off of the lids? LOL! I will have to check into it all again before attempting it. Thanks for the tips. My kitchen usually ends up a total mess when I am planting seeds. If the seeds do not germinate let me know and I will save more but they sprouted for me so they must be really easy to start. LOL!

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  26. April - Here's the link. If it doesn't work let me know.
    http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=102675420505

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  27. Catherine, this is a GREAT idea. It was like this light bulb went on that said, "what a great idea. You can do this, too". I never thought to do the foil pans with lids. What a bonus! Thanks for letting me know about this and for leading me to the Garden forum. You've got so many great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

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  28. This is just so exciting! I will have to read more about this and see if there is any opportunity for winter sowing in "North Country." I just do not have enough natural light inside this house for seeds to get a good start. I will need to invest in some lighting. That soil almost looked as good as brownie batter to me - ha.

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  29. I'm looking forward to seeing how they all turn out. I haven't had much luck at it myself but do a few each year. I just plopped some camellia and baptisia seeds in a pot on my deck. We shall see. I hope yours all grow wonderfully!

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  30. Catherine,
    Good luck with the winter sowing! You asked about roses by mail - the roses I've received from David Austin are pretty big - maybe 3 feet long (including roots) and a bit less than a foot wide, depending on how wide the branches/roots spread out. This year DA is also offering own-root roses that are the same size. Anything that will ship bareroot (and survive) is usually a good mail-order prospect. That includes roses, daylilies, hostas and iris. Tubers like cannas, dahlias, and peonies work well for shipping, and of course all bulbs. Some companies ship a lot of perennials bareroot, and some of those plants make me nervous. Because companies don't have to pay to ship the soil and pot, bareroot plants are often good-sized for the price (but you probably already knew all that, sorry). Catherine - you really should go to davidaustinroses.com and request a free catalog - you'd enjoy the beautiful pictures and lots of good info!

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  31. Nice! I 've decided this is the year I'm better about growing things from seed...good luck with yours!

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  32. This time of year we need all the spring we can get! Good luck with your seeds, especially the Verbascum!

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  33. So very nice! I am starting to consider some winter snowing too. I need to get my other seedlings on the soil first tho.

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  34. I should be doing this very thing! And yet I haven't.
    Brenda

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  35. Way to go, Catherine. I'm not sure I'll do this myself this year... but I still may change my mind.

    I'll be in a 4th grade classroom next week - helping each of the students make their own gallon milk-jug greenhouse! Should be fun! :-)

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  36. Wow - these look great! you are going to have some lovely plants in a few months. When you say you keep them out in the deck - is it covered? Is it warm enough for them? My problem with winter sowing is the lack of space for all my trays ;)

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  37. Shady - Those kids will have fun making them!

    Kate - The deck isn't covered and it's already snowed on everything once. If you go to the Winter sowers facebook site or garden web you'll see people in zone 5 with containers covered in snow. Just find a sunny spot in your yard and set them there. I hope you try, it's so easy.

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  38. This looks like it is easier than filling all the little compartments in the flats that I used in September. I think I'll be giving it a try. Thanks, Catherine.

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  39. I haven't been to the forums for quite awhile. Folks there, like Cameron and Nelljean influenced me to start a blog. It was never my intention to quit going there, but there are only so many hours in a day. I'll have to check out the winter sowers on Facebook. My winter sowing has been directly into the flower beds. Some years that works, especially when I know what the seedlings look like. I want to try some in containers one of these days, maybe this year.

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  40. I love that you (like me) do this indoors, and use perfectly good mixing bowls and kitchen utensils - ha.

    I should do this with some seeds I have left to order and plant. Sounds like a very low-maintenance way to garden with a newborn (once she comes)!!

    Happy New Year if I haven't already said it :)

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