Started following you because of the Facebook group! I'm a fellow Winter Sower and I love how accessible and simple you make the info for others. I've found that "expert" gardeners sometimes gate keep gardening strategies and info to appear more elevated than others and it makes it inaccessible for beginners who don't yet know the lingo and methods. You do an amazing job at keeping it straightforward and to simple to understand. I'll 100% be recommending your WS posts to my clients/friends that are learning about WS. :)
Didn't WS this year because I was running out of garden spaces. But now, of course, I need some more plants lol I did grow St Johns Wort last year, Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Purple and TN coneflowers, Yarrow (which have not taken over every corner of my property), Common ninebark that within a year have become 3 bushy shrubs and look amazing, Monarda bee balms that are massive this year (6 of them), oregano vulgate (my chickens appreciate the oregano forest we have now), roman chamomile, and mullein....All of these were WS the previous winter and are looking phenomenal this year.
Im 84 gardener 2nd year jug/containers. 30% Yaah!! gal jugs hard to find so 1/2gal etc food types(clear), trying direct in my risers 2, 1 is on legs, 1 on ground. Thank you for helping my memory haha. susan
Great, well written guide, thank you. Wondering what is the difference is between starting seeds in the jugs versus starting seeds in a small plastic (unheated) "greenhouse"? Do the small jugs maintain a better microclimate? (I'm in zone 6).
Hi Christi! So glad it was helpful! I would say the biggest advantages you'll get with WS when comparing the two is moisture control and space. It's really easy to lose seedings in a small plastic greenhouse because of draftiness and no access to moisture apart from the water you provide with your hands. The jug provides a consistent moist environment and you can essentially forget about them until they need to be transplanted. And yes, I would say a much better microclimate is maintained in the jug. Furthermore, you can fit a whole lot more seeds in a jug than you can in trays that require shelving and quickly take up space because it's typically 1 seed per cell. I hope that helps!
Oh I'm glad you checked back in because I've been meaning to comment, YES it went well! In fact, the seedlings that were started in the bottles escaped the mouse devastation that happened in my small plastic greenhouse. So it was great to have some to fall back on. I will definitely try it again next year so I can have some early lettuce seedlings.
Oh I'm so glad to hear that! It truly protects seedlings from so much. (Sorry about the mice- no fun). Yes, I LOVE starting lettuce and kale with the method. Our family of four has been enjoying a few massive salads a week for over a month now from my WS lettuce and probably will until the start of June. So glad it worked for you!
Hi Sharon. You can google your USDA hardiness zone using your zip code.
If you go to breadandcloth.com you can find a guide on when to start winter sowing based on your zone as well as an article about understanding USDA hardiness zones.
Started following you because of the Facebook group! I'm a fellow Winter Sower and I love how accessible and simple you make the info for others. I've found that "expert" gardeners sometimes gate keep gardening strategies and info to appear more elevated than others and it makes it inaccessible for beginners who don't yet know the lingo and methods. You do an amazing job at keeping it straightforward and to simple to understand. I'll 100% be recommending your WS posts to my clients/friends that are learning about WS. :)
I’m so glad that you found it helpful! Did you winter sow this year? How are your gardens coming along?
This is so helpful! I’ve only just heard of this process, & having your guide has answered almost all my questions!
So glad to hear it was helpful! Let me know if there is anything else I can help answer :)
Didn't WS this year because I was running out of garden spaces. But now, of course, I need some more plants lol I did grow St Johns Wort last year, Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Purple and TN coneflowers, Yarrow (which have not taken over every corner of my property), Common ninebark that within a year have become 3 bushy shrubs and look amazing, Monarda bee balms that are massive this year (6 of them), oregano vulgate (my chickens appreciate the oregano forest we have now), roman chamomile, and mullein....All of these were WS the previous winter and are looking phenomenal this year.
Im 84 gardener 2nd year jug/containers. 30% Yaah!! gal jugs hard to find so 1/2gal etc food types(clear), trying direct in my risers 2, 1 is on legs, 1 on ground. Thank you for helping my memory haha. susan
Great, well written guide, thank you. Wondering what is the difference is between starting seeds in the jugs versus starting seeds in a small plastic (unheated) "greenhouse"? Do the small jugs maintain a better microclimate? (I'm in zone 6).
Hi Christi! So glad it was helpful! I would say the biggest advantages you'll get with WS when comparing the two is moisture control and space. It's really easy to lose seedings in a small plastic greenhouse because of draftiness and no access to moisture apart from the water you provide with your hands. The jug provides a consistent moist environment and you can essentially forget about them until they need to be transplanted. And yes, I would say a much better microclimate is maintained in the jug. Furthermore, you can fit a whole lot more seeds in a jug than you can in trays that require shelving and quickly take up space because it's typically 1 seed per cell. I hope that helps!
Yes that makes a lot of sense, thank you for the explanation! I'll be giving it a go and hopefully sowing this week.
Did it go well?!
Oh I'm glad you checked back in because I've been meaning to comment, YES it went well! In fact, the seedlings that were started in the bottles escaped the mouse devastation that happened in my small plastic greenhouse. So it was great to have some to fall back on. I will definitely try it again next year so I can have some early lettuce seedlings.
Oh I'm so glad to hear that! It truly protects seedlings from so much. (Sorry about the mice- no fun). Yes, I LOVE starting lettuce and kale with the method. Our family of four has been enjoying a few massive salads a week for over a month now from my WS lettuce and probably will until the start of June. So glad it worked for you!
Where can I find the zones?
Hi Sharon. You can google your USDA hardiness zone using your zip code.
If you go to breadandcloth.com you can find a guide on when to start winter sowing based on your zone as well as an article about understanding USDA hardiness zones.