Winter Sowing

Winter sowing is a technique used to plant seeds outside during the winter,  Yes, you did read it correctly!
So why would you want to do that, and does it really work?

There are several advantages to winter sowing,  First of all, it doesn't take up space inside your house. Secondly, once the seeds are planted, they require very little or no maintenance.  Lastly the plants that grow are very healthy and hardy as they are already used to outdoor conditions.  They don't need to be hardened off.

Will it work for all seeds?  The short answer is no.

Winter sowing works best for cold hardy vegetables such as spinach, radishes, lettuce, onions, and leeks. Even tomatoes and peppers will germinate outdoors, but I found they sprout too late in the spring (later than the lettuce, etc.) to reach maturity during the summer.  Those will work better indoors to give them an earlier start.  I had really good luck last year with lettuce, onions, and leeks.  This technique will also work with cold hardy annual flowers and perennial flowers.

So what type of planting container should you use?  I found the best thing to use is a one gallon milk jug. Other containers will work also as long as they are transparent, have a lid,, and have enough room for 3 or 4 inches of soil and 3 to 4 inch seedlings.

To prepare the milk jug first wash it.  There is no need to sterilize it.  Next cut the jug roughly in half far enough up so that three or four inches of potting soil can be added.  Be sure to leave about two inches uncut to form a hinge.

Now poke or drill four holes in the bottom of the container for drainage.  This is very important since it will be outside in the rain and snow.  The top will be left off the top also to allow moisture in and also to prevent the plastic container from getting too warm.

Next add about three inches of potting soil or seed starting mix to the container.  Be sure not to use too heavy a soil as it will hold two much moisture.  Never use garden soil from your garden for starting seeds as it most likely contains bacteria and fungus etc. that could interfere with germination.

Add some water to "settle" the soil before planting.  Lightly pat the soil to form a level planting surface. Now you are ready to add the seeds.

Add seeds evenly but not too thick as to allow some space between the seedlings when they sprout. Cover the seeds according the planting depth suggested on the seed packet.  Lightly water again (I usually use a spray bottle).  Below is a photo showing Romaine lettuce seeds before covering.

Finally, tape the top onto the bottom of the container using clear tape if possible or a thin strip of duct tape. Using too much duct tape could block out too much light and affect germination.  Be sure to label with what you planted and the date.

The containers are now ready to be paced outside.  Choose a location preferably on the south side of your house so they will be protected from the prevailing wind and also exposed to the warm sun.  They can be placed on the ground, on a table, or really anywhere.  I have a small stone wall that I place mine on.

Until next time.