Tuesday, February 17, 2009

winter sowing

I am not an expert, nor too experienced at winter sowing, but this is what I can tell you. What you do is make mini-greenhouse. I take a one gallon plastic bottle, slice it nearly in half, but not all the way around the diameter. Fill the bottom with good planting medium, soak it. Plant (I do only flowers) seeds as advised on the packet. Duct tape it back together. Oh, yeah. make some holes in the bottom before you do much of anything. Seal the top, but make some slices for heat to escape and some moisture to enter. Place outside. You have created a mini-greenhouse, and the seeds lay dormant till winter eases, then inspired by spring they grow.

Last year was my first attempt....

I had some great successes (the geraniums, pansies, and dahlias come to mind) and some mighty failures. It was cool opening them up to see what had happened. I would imagine as each winter is different, each attempt will yield different results.

Today we planted a bunch, will get a list out at some point, but for now if you are interested, here is the website that got me started.


7 comments:

tina said...

My first year for trying it too. I am excited to see the results. Usually I just winter sow directly into the garden. I'll check the website.

B + S said...

Your students get to garden, and they have access to a green house!!!! How wonderful!

Rob (ourfrenchgarden) said...

Hi Wayne,

This is the start of an exciting time of the year. I hope you have 100% germination success.

Rob

Wayne Stratz said...

Tina, Becky, and Rob--- sorry it took so long to publish your comments... in no way does it indicate a lack of joy that folk take the time to let me know they have stopped by my blog.

as for 100%... we are way too imperfect for that to happen, but thanks for the best wishes

Kylee Baumle said...

I have winter sown for three years (but didn't this year) and as you said, have had varying results each year. I just didn't feel like messing with it this year. I hope you have much success!

B + S said...

The aloe flower is beautiful!! Just wanted you to know that I have a winter sown project in the works, I'll post photos soon. I had read about this trick from Skippy's Vegetable garden last fall and have been waiting impatiently to try it. Loved to see that other gardeners (and their students) are on the same adventure!!

Wayne Stratz said...

Kylee-- it is a good project for the winter time when we slow down.

Becky--- hope it turns out well for you.