Winter Sowing: What is it? Why do it?

 

Hello Flower Friends! 

For those that follow our journey on social media, @cottagehillfarms, you may have seen we have been posting about our winter here in zone 6b and our winter sowing journey!

The two questions we get asked the most about our winter sowing method are what is it? and why do we do it?

We thought we would take this opportunity to go ahead and type up what winter sowing is, how it is beneficial and why we do it here at Cottage Hill Farms.

What is Winter Sowing?

Winter sowing is a seed germination method where you plant seeds in containers and place outdoors during the winter. The container protects the seeds from animals and harsh weather while the exposure to cold temperatures breaks dormancy for seeds to germinate. The container also provides an environment that is ideal for germiantion in spring.

You can winter sow anytime between December through March. Most start around winter solstice, here in zone 6b we start mid to late January and that is what works best for us.

Some see winter sowing as a "tough love" way to start plants but it really just mimics nature's process. Some seeds do not need the extra coddling. To winter sow you do not need special lights, heat mats, fans or other special equipment. Just a container, soil, and frost/cold hardy seeds!

Why do it?

Plants started with the winter sowing method do not need to be "hardened off" before transplanting to the garden as seedlings started inside. They are already acclimated and will be hardier and stockier than those grown indoors under lights.

Winter sowing also is a huge space saver! We winter sow all of our cold-hardy annuals. Living in a 684sf cottage we need all the space we can get and this saves room under the grow lights for our heat loving flowers!

Seedlings grown with the winter sowing method development strong root systems, they are much stronger than their counter parts that are started indoors.

Winter sowing is really a "set it and forget it" method. Periodically it is good to check to make sure they didn't try out but we have not had this issue here in zone 6b. In warmer climates or particularly dry winters you may need to water more often.

How to Winter Sow

1.) Find a container that can be sealed but also able to add drainage holes and be able to get water in. Milk/Water jugs are excellent for this but I have seen others have success with this Nursery Pot Set

2.) Have your cold hardy seeds ready. Terms on your seed packet should say frost tolerant, cold hardy, etc.

(Here is a list of 22 Flowers to Winter Sow in Zone 6b)

(Here is What We are Winter Sowing Here At Cottage Hill Farms)

3.) Prep your containers. Make sure they have adequate drainage holes and you can open and close them. They need to be able to be sealed and protected from weather but also let in rain and moisture! We wrote a step by step on how to prep containers here

4.) Select a good potting mix. This is important, do not use a potting mix that is overly dry or old it needs to be able to retain moisture. We use our seed starting mix that we mix ourselves using our favorite organic potting mix and this organic coir brick. We mix at a 1:1 ratio and it works perfectly for us.

5.) Label your containers! This is essential! Come spring you need to remember what you are planting and wear. We label our containers with a number system and in a spreadsheet have a chart with what is planted in each coordinating number. This helps us reuse our containers year after year.

6.) Seal up containers. You want to make sure lids do not fly off in the wind and they are protected! We duct tape our jugs at the cut seam.

7.) Set and forget! We set ours on our deck but you can place anywhere outdoors that gets rain, snow, and sun! They need to be able to get rain and moisture to keep the soil moist so keeping under a covered porch or under a deck is not recommended.

8.) Check in with them periodically. Just make sure they do not look too dry and that they are still where you placed them. If they are being moved by a critter or wind it would be best to move them to secure seed placement. 

Come spring you will have hardy strong transplants!

Happy Blooms!

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