In my winter sown garden
A little of lately
Dear Reader,
If this is the first newsletter of mine you’re reading, welcome—I’m so glad you’re here.
For those who are new (and a quick refresher for everyone else): I’m Mily, and I’m passionate about winter sowing. I run a Facebook group where people learn and share about the method, and that’s most likely what brought you here.
Three years ago, my family relocated from the Midwest to western North Carolina, and we’re still building our gardens from the ground up. This newsletter is where I share that journey—building our gardens through (a lot of) winter sowing—one year at a time.
Right Now
Here in the Southeast, we’re at a key point in the winter sowing season. Because our winters are fairly mild, I’m working hard to finish sowing my perennials and native plants that need long periods of cold stratification, while continuing through the rest of my cold-loving seeds.
Where I live, the “new year” for winter sowing really starts in November, so I’ve been at it for a while but I wanted to share some varieties I’m super excited about this year.
Every year, the very first thing I winter sow are violas and pansies. They’re always among the earliest hardy annuals to bloom and make spring feel so special and nostalgic each year. We love to put them on something baked for my daughter’s birthday in May. This year, I tried a couple of new colors that I’m especially excited about.
I’ve also started a few long-stratification natives I’ve been wanting to for years but always missed the window for—Liatris and Obedient Plant. They’re going to be the loviest spikes in my gardens!
By mid-December, I’m in a winter sowing rhythm, and a good chunk of what I’ve already sown is sprouted and growing. Cilantro is almost ready for transplant!
Here’s a few more I’m excited about:
Stock (several colors this year!)
Cabbage (all the cabbage, multiple varieties!)
Nigella
Scabiosa (‘Snow Maiden’)
Sea Holly
Pink & Blue Chinese Forget-Me-Not
Bee Balm, Scarlet
Verbascum
Sweet Peas
Sweet William
Snapdragons (Potomac series)
Crespedia
Strawflower
Your Turn
What are you winter sowing this week?
What have you started so far? I’d love to hear.
As always, let me know if you have any questions!
—Mily
Morning Emily. This is my first time reading your post. Are pansies the only crop you plant that you eat? Love the birthday cake idea!
I have 45 winter sowing jugs lined up in my kitchen that now have their holes and are cut open. I am in southern Maine, zone 5b … so very cold. This week we hit 40 degrees which is warm for us…. Going back to colder temps in the next few days.
I’ve gathered my seeds and my plan is to plant vegetables that need the longest to grow first. I will start with trombonecini squash, watermelon, melons, and carrots.