I have finally gotten around to winter sowing. Thankfully winter is not over yet. A few more weeks and I wouldn't officially be winter sowing. I've never done this before and I have no idea what to expect, but it seemed too simple not to give it a try. Using recycled milk jugs, I've planted seeds and set the jugs outside. The jugs will act like mini-greenhouses and Mother Nature will take care of when the seeds will sprout. My hope is to have plants to transplant in the spring.
The jugs are cut in half horizontally, leaving a small hinge uncut, and closed back up with tape or pipe cleaners. You can open the jugs on warmer days and to water plants, and then close them back up at night.
I don't have space for seed starting indoors, nor do I have southern windows or light tables. Winter sowing seemed to be the perfect answer. We'll see what grows and thrives. I'm gardening in zone 5.
I received over 2 dozen different herb seed packets for Christmas. Many of the herbs I've never heard of before. So far I've winter sown Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Echinacea, Milk Thistle, Peppermint, Feverfew, Burdock, Yarrow, St. John's Wort, and Astragalus. Some of these plants could grow quite large. I'm realizing we're going to have to build a large herb bed in the garden.
Eventually I hope to winter sow veggies as well. I'm not sure how well some of the veggies will transplant, but I have enough seed I can try both methods, winter sowing and direct sowing. I'll keep you posted on how it all works out.
For more information on winter sowing, check out, http://www.agardenforthehouse.com/2010/12/winter-sowing-101/
or wintersown.org
7 comments:
A great idea! I will enjoy getting your updates about how this is working. Good luck!!
milk jugs can be quite useful-I've seen some people do this but I haven't yet-I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out for you-might be something I can try if all goes well. I'm glad you were able to give it a whirl & hope all grows wonderfully. I think this season I'll be doing tomatoes again & I haven't made my mind up if I want to try anything else since we have a lot of home projects we need to do-therefore gardening won't be at the top of my list this year. But I can't go without tomatoes lol good luck!
What a great idea!!!! I have never heard of planting like this in winter time....but I will start saving all my gallon jugs and try your method. thanks for the tip.
Great idea. That is actually something I could try. I always plant seeds too late. Keep us posted on your progress
Thanks so much for sharing. I am going to have to see what our zone time table is. Would love to try this for tomatoes. I usually start ours indoors by the window and like the website author says they are not that hardy....can be very thin and weak looking....maybe doing this way they will be stronger.
Oh that is so cool!!! I can't wait to hear how it goes!!! What a very neat idea!!! I want to plant some flowers in the front these year. I still can't get over my ex landlord and his big deal about us not planting flowers!! Sorry just made me think of that!! I look forward to hearing how this is going!!! Good Luck!!! Hugs
sounds interesting. I have a few packets of seeds also and milk jugs in the recycling bags so I might give this a try as well. Thanks for the link
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