Winter Sowing 101
Winter sowing is a fun way for those of us in chillier climates to start seeds when there is still snow on the ground! While this isn’t a method that will work for all flowers and plants, it is definitely scratching our itch to get our garden started, and something we thought would be fun to share with any of you who are ready to get your garden going too!
When deciding whether a plant is a good fit for winter sowing, I think about winter sowing from the view point of the plant. If this plant (Rudbeckia, Snapdragons, Kale, Tomato, whatever!) were to be in the wild and wanted to reproduce so that another plant began next year, how would it do it? A lot of flowers are tender annuals - meaning they do NOT like cold! But a lot of beautiful flowers are hardy and can still thrive in winter’s chill. For example, once the snapdragon plant has bloomed and set seed, the little dust pixels that are Snapdragon seeds will fall and be blown on top of the ground – waiting, and waiting for the perfect conditions for germination. Winter sowing takes all of the temperature, humidity, and grow lights out of the equation and lets the little seeds germinate when they naturally would. Good seeds to winter sow are hardy annuals, perennials, or any seed that needs cold to germinate – check seed packets to know for sure.
Excited to try your hand at winter sowing? Follow these steps:
1. Find something plastic and at least 4” deep – milk jugs work great.
2. Puncture drainage holes in the bottom (use a screwdriver or a drill).
3. Cut about 4-5” from the bottom (just below the handle) ALMOST all the way around. You want to be able to flip the lid open and closed once you have germination.
4. Place potting soil in the bottom of the container. Water in thoroughly so it’s moist, but not soaked.
5. Sprinkle seeds on top of the potting soil and water in. Some seeds (such as snapdragons) need to be surface sown and shouldn’t be watered in too heavily – they need light exposure to start germinating.
6. Once your seeds are in, close the lid and secure it with duct tape.
7. Label your plants!
8. Eventually, once they germinate and temperatures are warmer, you can either cut holes in the sides or open the top as weather conditions permit.
When the seedlings are at least 4” in height, plant out in your garden.
We hope you take this simple growing opportunity and try it yourself! Please feel free to reach out with any questions – contact us via email or Instagram! I would be more than happy to walk you through the many ways you can grow your own flowers!
