Winter Gardening - by Ben Weeks

What. – The basic idea behind winter gardening is to replicate mother nature and her ability to sow seeds in the fall and winter so as to create gardens for the coming seasons. Unfortunately, mother nature has to contend with animals eating her seeds, winds whipping them to Timbucktoo and the rain carrying them away. By winter sowing, your seeds stay where you sow them and are in a controlled environment.

When - Winter sowing is done during the winter months and as long as it is ’sweater’ weather. Hardy perennials and reseeding annuals can be the first to be winter sown. Some folks start on the winter solstice, but you may prefer to let the holiday season go by and then take time to prepare your containers, labels, and seeds. Half-hardy perennials and biennials are next, and in the late winter sowing (late April/May), the tender annuals can go out.

Where- In placing your containers outside you have to keep in mind that in full sun the containers will have to be monitored so that the soil does not dry out and your little greenhouse doesn’t overheat and cook the seeds. Better to keep them in partial shade and off the ground to help keep the slugs out. A deck near the house is a good idea.

Why winter seed?
- You will get many plants for very little $$$ output.
- You want to do some winter gardening, not just read the catalogs!
- You want to grow plans not available in local nurseries.
- You don’t want to deal with damping off which affects may plants started indoors.
- You don’t want to deal with acclimatization.

How – There are many answers to this question. You can use 2 litre pop bottles, plastic juice containers, yogurt and ice cream and margerine containers, old laundry baskets and even old kiddie pools! For sucess remember the following:
- Use containers which will enable you to place at least 3 inches of moist soil inside
- Make sure the container has ample dainage holes, and that that it has headroom for the sprouts to start growing
- The top should have the cap off if using pop bottles. If using plastic as a cover poke holes for the snow and rain to keep the soil moist and for aeration.
- Make labels that last. An HB pencil on wood or plastic is good.
Here are the steps once you have your containers
1/ Make drain holes.
2/ Put minimum of 3 inches of moist soil in the conatiner (Pro-mix works best)
3/ Sprinkle and press seeds into soil.
4/ Tuck label on the inside.
5/ Place top in container and remove cap or punch holes for air and moisture
6/ Place outside where snow and rain will water for you.
7/ Wait patiently.

The main internet site to visit for more information: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/wtrsow
A lot of questions are asked and answered here with a great FAQ area which you can read and get lots of info. Any question? Feel free to call Ben at 902-850-2340