Video: Winter Sowing
Have you heard of winter sowing? It’s very popular these days but a lot of folks aren’t familiar with this unusual method for starting seeds.
It involves planting seeds in containers and placing them outdoors, in the middle of winter. That sounds like a recipe for disaster, don’t you think? Well, actually, it works great so that’s the topic of my next video.
Winter sowing has to be the easiest way to start seeds because it’s such a hands-off approach. The seeds germinate when conditions are right, rather than the gardener needing to remember to plant them at the proper time. There isn’t a risk of damping-off disease, which can kill a whole flat of seeds and seedlings very quickly.
I don’t have to put them through the hardening-off process where one gradually acclimates the seedlings to outdoor temperatures and the intensity of the sunlight. The best part of all is that this method gives me more space underneath the grow lights for starting other seeds. I particularly love that because Bill and I start a LOT of seeds, and we’re always competing for that space!
I used to refer people to a website that lists of seeds to start but it no longer exists. At the end of my video, you will find some suggestions of annuals, perennials, and vegetables that you can winter-sow. I’ve also listed some websites that are good resources underneath the video.
I hope you’ll enjoy my winter sowing video and that you will try this fun, easy method!
Here are some helpful links on winter sowing:
The best vegetables and flowers for winter sowing
What to winter sow and when (this is mostly for flowers)