same thing, look it up. there are lots of websites and videos on it. you can use all kinds of seeds not just flowers.You mentioned seedballs. I've heard that some people take a bunch of seeds and roll them into a little mudball then toss to grow wildflowers. Is your method similar?
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brambleoak
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The Helpful Gardener
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brambleoak
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I would also like to know what seedballs are ?
Jan , have you wintersowed rudbeckia before ? this is my first year wintersowing them and I'm hoping to have better luck with them than when I tried to direct sow them last year . This is my first year wintersowing hostas too ... I hope I have baby hostas soon
Iris
Jan , have you wintersowed rudbeckia before ? this is my first year wintersowing them and I'm hoping to have better luck with them than when I tried to direct sow them last year . This is my first year wintersowing hostas too ... I hope I have baby hostas soon
Iris
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brambleoak
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[url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31985]There is a new thread started in the "Seed Starting" forums on Seedballs.[/url] Very cool!
I've wintersown the rudbeckias and had great success! They seem to take to is quite well.
Good luck with your hostas. I'm hoping mine come up too.
I've wintersown the rudbeckias and had great success! They seem to take to is quite well.
Good luck with your hostas. I'm hoping mine come up too.
rane_grow wrote:I would also like to know what seedballs are ?
Jan , have you wintersowed rudbeckia before ? this is my first year wintersowing them and I'm hoping to have better luck with them than when I tried to direct sow them last year . This is my first year wintersowing hostas too ... I hope I have baby hostas soon
Iris
I just started some cauliflower and cabage today according to the chart I have for this area I should be putting them out around the first week of march. My question is the last frost normally occures around the first week of april for us. will this harm the plants? also if not will broccoli also fair well being put out around this time? Just wondering if I should get some of it started as well
Thanks
Thanks
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Sage Hermit
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YAA I'm raising so many red peppers. Great thread
Thinking about last winter and all the help everyone gave me on here saving my favorite sage plant the pinapple sage. Its doing well and growing new leaves for more tea,.
Last year I did not winter grow and I'm way behind where id like to be. Going up to my farm next week to have a look see its all under a lot of snow,. would like to have a good season so I decided to organise some growing stations in my house. Starting up a hydroponics bay also with a good friend of mine in the cities.
Thinking about last winter and all the help everyone gave me on here saving my favorite sage plant the pinapple sage. Its doing well and growing new leaves for more tea,.
Last year I did not winter grow and I'm way behind where id like to be. Going up to my farm next week to have a look see its all under a lot of snow,. would like to have a good season so I decided to organise some growing stations in my house. Starting up a hydroponics bay also with a good friend of mine in the cities.
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brambleoak
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I'm not positive as I will be starting cauliflower myself for the first time this year but I think that cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli are fairly 'hardy' vegetables when it comes to cooler weather.
I would be a little nervous about it too since the last frost date is a whole month AFTER your chart says to set out your plants. But, I did find online info that states you can set out your cole crops before tha last frost date. The one article I read stated that if your seedlings are in cold temps of 32-45 degrees for an extended amount of time, flowering can be induced. and they'll bolt.
I'm sure that there is someone here with better info than me. But, thank you for asking cuz now I've also gained a bit of insite on growing my own cauliflower this spring.
I would be a little nervous about it too since the last frost date is a whole month AFTER your chart says to set out your plants. But, I did find online info that states you can set out your cole crops before tha last frost date. The one article I read stated that if your seedlings are in cold temps of 32-45 degrees for an extended amount of time, flowering can be induced. and they'll bolt.
I'm sure that there is someone here with better info than me. But, thank you for asking cuz now I've also gained a bit of insite on growing my own cauliflower this spring.
Chaesman wrote:I just started some cauliflower and cabage today according to the chart I have for this area I should be putting them out around the first week of march. My question is the last frost normally occures around the first week of april for us. will this harm the plants? also if not will broccoli also fair well being put out around this time? Just wondering if I should get some of it started as well
Thanks
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applestar
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Just to note - "WINTER SOWING" is different from "starting seeds in winter"
It's a term used to describe sowing seeds outdoors that will stay dormant while it's still freezing outside, experience the cold stratification they need, then germinate at first sign of spring. Often done in containers of soil placed outside, sometimes covered in plastic or set in specially prepared clear/translucent tubs for added "cold frame effect" for earlier emergence.
Peas and other early spring-germinating veg seeds tossed out in the snow.... "Winter Sowing" sounds like a perfect description. I'm similarly "winter sowing" rice seeds. Seed balls provide a wonderfully protective shell for the seeds.
I have sowed hopeful containers of acorns, tulip poplar seeds, and halesia tree seeds sitting outside, and chestnuts and sansho seeds in the unheated garage.
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Now, Chaesman, does your chart say to SET OUT seedlings or to SOW seeds?
It seems to me that a month before last avg frost would be when you sow those seeds, and two weeks before last avg frost would be the time to transplant WELL HARDENED OFF plants under protection of row covers. I use double layers of floating covers or heavy "garden quilt" because I can still expect freezing temps in the mid-20's.
Although it seems opposite, younger, smaller seedlings are supposed to be able to take the cold better than older well-grown seedlings.
It's a term used to describe sowing seeds outdoors that will stay dormant while it's still freezing outside, experience the cold stratification they need, then germinate at first sign of spring. Often done in containers of soil placed outside, sometimes covered in plastic or set in specially prepared clear/translucent tubs for added "cold frame effect" for earlier emergence.
Peas and other early spring-germinating veg seeds tossed out in the snow.... "Winter Sowing" sounds like a perfect description. I'm similarly "winter sowing" rice seeds. Seed balls provide a wonderfully protective shell for the seeds.
I have sowed hopeful containers of acorns, tulip poplar seeds, and halesia tree seeds sitting outside, and chestnuts and sansho seeds in the unheated garage.
--
Now, Chaesman, does your chart say to SET OUT seedlings or to SOW seeds?
It seems to me that a month before last avg frost would be when you sow those seeds, and two weeks before last avg frost would be the time to transplant WELL HARDENED OFF plants under protection of row covers. I use double layers of floating covers or heavy "garden quilt" because I can still expect freezing temps in the mid-20's.
Although it seems opposite, younger, smaller seedlings are supposed to be able to take the cold better than older well-grown seedlings.
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DoubleDogFarm
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chaesman,
You also need to read the disclaimer.
Eric
You also need to read the disclaimer.
From the same dandello.netAdditional points to consider:
Elevation - higher elevations are generally colder than low-lying areas and prevailing winds and microclimes can alter this even further.
Proximity to water - especially large bodies of water - can alter the local climate. Notice that Seattle on Puget Sound, has her last frost three weeks earlier and first frost three weeks later than Olympia, further south but also further inland.
Length of day - Traditionally, Northwesterners have turned to Great Britain for garden guidance as the cool, wet Maritime Northwest climate bears some similarity to that of those islands. However, in terms of gardening, the Maritime Northwest is closer to France (Washington and Oregon both grow French grapes quite well.) - Paris is at latitude 48N50. Seattle is south of Paris at 47N37, and Portland is at 45N31. Latitude determines length of day and length of day determines how much sunlight is available - despite the clouds, Seattle and Portland have more available sunlight in winter than London, or even Paris. In summer, the lower latitudes have shorter days than the higher latitudes (remember the 24 hour days at the poles?), but this is more than made up for by the longer winter days. Research has shown that the minimum number of daylight hours needed for successful fall/winter growing is ten hours. Less than that the plants go dormant - this does not mean they cannot be harvested, they simply don't put on new growth.
This also means that with relatively simple season extending techniques (I.e., cold frames, row covers) to protect the plants from adverse temperatures, vegetable harvests in the Northwest can be year-round with little difficulty. To find out when the daylight in you area drops below the necessary ten hours per day, check out USNO data services and look up your city.(Where I'm at, my garden gets less than 10 hours per day between November 3rd and February 7th.)
Transplants are typically more cold sensitive than when the same plant is directly seeded into the garden. (In my garden, lettuce has been known to sprout from seed in late February.) Transplants should be set out into the garden after all danger of frost has past or hot caps or other protective devices can be used to shelter these tender transplants from the stresses of cold weather.
Eric
SO I read some things on here and elsewhere on the net about winter sowing. But I'm confused about how it's different from just starting seeds indoors. When I first heard about it I figured it would be literally sowing the seeds in the ground outside in the winter. After all, if those volunteer tomato plants and pumpkin vines can make it through winter and grow on their own, why not just plant them there when it's cold enough to ensure they won't grow early?
It seems to me that winter sowing is just all about making mini greenhouses out of plastic bottles or whatever else you can accomplish a greenhouse effect with. ....why not just call it greenhouse gardening, or starting your seeds indoors? Surely I'm missing an element. a little help?
It seems to me that winter sowing is just all about making mini greenhouses out of plastic bottles or whatever else you can accomplish a greenhouse effect with. ....why not just call it greenhouse gardening, or starting your seeds indoors? Surely I'm missing an element. a little help?
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brambleoak
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https://wintersown.org
check out this site. It is basically sowing seeds outdoors in the winter using plastic bottles. Not necessarily a greenhouse method but a way to stratify seeds that need it without dealing with rodents and other outdoor "influences" that might keep your seeds from germinating successfully.
Having a little more "control" of your outdoor winter sowing of seeds leads to a higher success rate. It can also free up some space in the house. LOL
check out this site. It is basically sowing seeds outdoors in the winter using plastic bottles. Not necessarily a greenhouse method but a way to stratify seeds that need it without dealing with rodents and other outdoor "influences" that might keep your seeds from germinating successfully.
Having a little more "control" of your outdoor winter sowing of seeds leads to a higher success rate. It can also free up some space in the house. LOL
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brambleoak
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Sounds like a good idea, Froggy.
GardenRN - I look at is as a way to sow lots of things that I don't want to start inside also. Works for self-seeding annuals (some that don't even need to be stratified), some veggies (depending on zone), perennials of all types and more.
The BIGGEST reason I do it is probably to beat the winter blahs. Gives me something to so and something to look forward to. Also, with 2 kids and only one fridge, I don't want to store seeds inside to stratify them.
It is a 'natural' way to stratify those seeds that need it. The thaw freeze/thaw freeze that some seeds need are just easier (for me anyway) to do outdoors. It's like a "set it and forget it" type of thing. Only thing you need to watch is that they don't get dry. For me...all I do is throw some snow on top of the containers if moisture is a problem.
Although...with the 5" of snow we've gotten today, I'm not having that trouble. Can barely see my containers!
It's a successful method for me. Might not work for others, but I enjoy it. I get over 80% germination on my seeds and this year I'm going all out. 118 containers of seeds sown so far and I'm only about 1/2 done.
GardenRN - I look at is as a way to sow lots of things that I don't want to start inside also. Works for self-seeding annuals (some that don't even need to be stratified), some veggies (depending on zone), perennials of all types and more.
The BIGGEST reason I do it is probably to beat the winter blahs. Gives me something to so and something to look forward to. Also, with 2 kids and only one fridge, I don't want to store seeds inside to stratify them.
It is a 'natural' way to stratify those seeds that need it. The thaw freeze/thaw freeze that some seeds need are just easier (for me anyway) to do outdoors. It's like a "set it and forget it" type of thing. Only thing you need to watch is that they don't get dry. For me...all I do is throw some snow on top of the containers if moisture is a problem.
Although...with the 5" of snow we've gotten today, I'm not having that trouble. Can barely see my containers!
It's a successful method for me. Might not work for others, but I enjoy it. I get over 80% germination on my seeds and this year I'm going all out. 118 containers of seeds sown so far and I'm only about 1/2 done.
Bramble Oak,
80% germination sounds good!
I'm curious, what is the latest that you think winter sowing would work? We get the keys to our 1st house on February 8th, and it will still be pretty cold here (Washington DC metro area) for the month of February. I read on the wintersown.org website that winter sowing can work for tomatoes, strawberries, carrots, basil, onions, and broccoli. I was thinking about giving it a try for a couple of those, but I wouldn't be able to do it until February 8th.
Would that be too late? Would I be better off just waiting till it's warm enough to sow into the ground?
80% germination sounds good!
I'm curious, what is the latest that you think winter sowing would work? We get the keys to our 1st house on February 8th, and it will still be pretty cold here (Washington DC metro area) for the month of February. I read on the wintersown.org website that winter sowing can work for tomatoes, strawberries, carrots, basil, onions, and broccoli. I was thinking about giving it a try for a couple of those, but I wouldn't be able to do it until February 8th.
Would that be too late? Would I be better off just waiting till it's warm enough to sow into the ground?
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brambleoak
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I never read the disclaimer they allways seem to fall around the same level as a softwares EULA.. gotta be more carefullDoubleDogFarm wrote:chaesman,
You also need to read the disclaimer.
Now that the seeds are started what would be a good saftey messure to take? Pot them up when they are large enough and just set outside on above freezing days and bring in at night till a more appropriate time to set out in garden?
Hi megany,
We are almost neighbors ! I am in St Marys County ( south of DC ) the past 4 years now I have had a 100' by 50' veggie garden ... I am wintersowing this winter for the second time, I have about 30 containers in my backyard so far that I did last week and still want to plant more in the next several weeks ... I have shop lights in my unheated garage that I start lots of seeds under too ... I usually start them the first week in March but I also want to wintersow some veggies too , probably next month , I will be interested to see how they compare to each other .
Iris
We are almost neighbors ! I am in St Marys County ( south of DC ) the past 4 years now I have had a 100' by 50' veggie garden ... I am wintersowing this winter for the second time, I have about 30 containers in my backyard so far that I did last week and still want to plant more in the next several weeks ... I have shop lights in my unheated garage that I start lots of seeds under too ... I usually start them the first week in March but I also want to wintersow some veggies too , probably next month , I will be interested to see how they compare to each other .
Iris
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brambleoak
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It all depends on the type of seeds you'd like to WS. There is a guideline on the site to help you:
Here's the chart for zone 4
https://www.wintersown.org/wseo1/WS_Database_Z4.html
Just for the record.... I've never wintersown peppers, tomatoes or any tender annuals like petunias or marigolds. I've stuck to perennials or annuals that I KNOW will self-seed in my area. I haven't wintersown in zone 4 yet...only in zone 5 (we just moved last yr), so I am not positive when the sprouting will occur. Depends on your weather conditions in the Spring. It will be a learning experiance for me this spring also.
Here's the chart for zone 4
https://www.wintersown.org/wseo1/WS_Database_Z4.html
Just for the record.... I've never wintersown peppers, tomatoes or any tender annuals like petunias or marigolds. I've stuck to perennials or annuals that I KNOW will self-seed in my area. I haven't wintersown in zone 4 yet...only in zone 5 (we just moved last yr), so I am not positive when the sprouting will occur. Depends on your weather conditions in the Spring. It will be a learning experiance for me this spring also. sheeshshe wrote:OK, so this sounds like fun! so if I'm understanding correctly, I should sow all my perennials and annuals this way? perhaps sow the veggies indoors and then move outside like I normally do?
so, in zone 4, when do you think they'll approximately sprout?
since I just started them and its still winter. I just planted two trays of snow peas in the greenhouse, they will go out when they are big enough to stop birds from eating them. I also did direct sow the extras along with the trays and should do pretty much just as good as long as the birds don't find them. its not going to get much colder than 25 from here on out according to the weather records I have, they wont grow fast, but once the weather gets to where they want peas will explode with growth. last year we got three 5 gallon buckets of snowpeas from 50 plants.( 30ft row about ) it would have still kept going but we couldnt eat anymore or give anymore away so the plants became mulch.
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brambleoak
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soil - I'm going to plants some peas this year but I'm not sure if I'm going to Spring sow them or Fall sow them.... Fresh peas are soooo good!
sheeshshe -
I too take it when the Spring is unpredictible and I loose new plants. Luckily, I have raspberries growing wild here and loads and loads of blackberries. I'm surrounded by berries and oaks (hense the user name)
sheeshshe -
I too take it when the Spring is unpredictible and I loose new plants. Luckily, I have raspberries growing wild here and loads and loads of blackberries. I'm surrounded by berries and oaks (hense the user name) Ok as I mentioned earlier in this thread I have started some cabbage and cauliflower and it seems I may have jumped the gun a bit as far as timeing goes.. any how friday my son is suppose to order us a portable green house just a 7 x 12 but it should be ample for moving plants around and the space is deffinatley needed.
I also came across this page while checking school closings
https://www.kfvs12.com/Global/category.asp?C=203366
I contains an almanac of the average temps for all 12 months over many years this information was collected by south east missouri university, which is located about 16 mile north of us and about 1 mile of off the mississippi river I am about 8 miles from the river. So if some one with a lot more experiance could glance it over it would be greatly appreciated so I will have a more educated guess than me as to when it would be most likely ok to start putting plants in the garden..
Thanks
I also came across this page while checking school closings
https://www.kfvs12.com/Global/category.asp?C=203366
I contains an almanac of the average temps for all 12 months over many years this information was collected by south east missouri university, which is located about 16 mile north of us and about 1 mile of off the mississippi river I am about 8 miles from the river. So if some one with a lot more experiance could glance it over it would be greatly appreciated so I will have a more educated guess than me as to when it would be most likely ok to start putting plants in the garden..
Thanks
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DoubleDogFarm
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I'm talking about snow peas, which you eat the whole young pod not the little round peas. not sure how cold tolerant the regular peas are. ive had snow peas live down to 20 degrees.soil - I'm going to plants some peas this year but I'm not sure if I'm going to Spring sow them or Fall sow them.... Fresh peas are soooo good!
on a side note I just tossed out a ton of quinoa seeds and they have sprouted, even 5 days AFTER our last small rain, all sunny days, still sprouted and are growing. tuff stuff.