What Works For WinterSowing and What Doesn't?

I don't know if there is already a thread here with this info, but I would love to compile something for us to use. Please share what has worked for you, and what hasn't. If you sow tomatoes, please share what variety. I'll keep an updated list in this post sorted alphabetically by zone reported.

Thanks,
Jody

Good
Zones.....1.........................2.........................3.........................4.........................5.........................6
....................................................................................................................................................agastache
....................................................................................................................................................columbines
....................................................................................................................................................foxgloves
...........................................................................................ornmtl grass....................................parsley
...........................................................................................poppies.................tomatoes
...........................................................................................toad lilies

This message was edited Dec 29, 2006 12:50 PM

http://www.wintersown.org/wseo1/How_to_Winter_Sow.html

On top of flowers and other veggies I love starting tomato plants like this .

They turn out so strong and stocky.

I may just spare a few tomato seeds and give them over to wintersowing when I do my other seeds. I know I usually get some nice tomato plants on the compost pile (a sure sign I don't turn it like I should...lol) But strong and stocky tomato plants sounds good. Often times starting indoors I find they get somewhat leggy on me and by the time I'm hustling them in and out to harden off I am already tying them up to a stick for support.

~Julie =0)

Last year was my first year - columbines, agastache and foxgloves did particularly well. Also parsley.

Last year was also my first year winter-sowing. I collected seeds from my own toad lilies which did amazingly well. Poppies did great, as well as some ornamental grasses that I had collected seed from.

What works well in your zone will not necessarily work in a warmer zone, such as mine. Your question is waaay to broad. It's best to ask what wintersows well in your growing zone or in colder climates. For example, the type of tomatoes that you will sow for a cool & short growing season are the complete opposite of the ones that I would sow in my garden. I need ones that can tolerate a lot of heat & high humidity. Here is a link to read more about tomatoes that thrive in cool climates. http://www.humeseeds.com/tmtocool.htm

Yes, there is a wonderful database at the Wintersown Website through the generous help of wintersowers at the Gardenweb. It has been compiled by growing zones. The links are not currently working, so please give Trudi some time to get them fixed. http://www.wintersown.org/wseo1/DataBase.html

Here is also a link that lists plants that will grow well in Zones 2, 3, & 4. http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/wtrsow/2002064609005437.html

"Temperate Climate Plant Names Indicative of Winter Sowing"
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/wtrsow/2002051833024156.html

Look for names that might indicate an origin in a temperate climate:

Siberian
Chinensis
Polar
Alpine
Orientale
Andean
Canadensis
Russ (indicating Russian origin)

Hope this helps.

This message was edited Dec 29, 2006 5:13 PM

Shirley,

I'm just wanting to get a list together that everyone can reference. It's always nice to know if a particular seed/variety does not work before you plant, or ones that really take to WS.

The WS Database links are now working. Please try them again. http://www.wintersown.org/wseo1/DataBase.html

That is quite a comprehensive list. Thank you. I had looked at it in the past, but had forgotten about it. Now that I am just making up my list I can use it before I order.

The Data Base and other information is great. I have to keep telling myself not to plant more than I have room in the garden. I'm putting off starting anything as the weather is so weird and warm for this time of year.

Marie
I asked a question in the sticky thread on this forum and this was Trudi's reply to me.

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/599007/

Poojer
East Meadow, NY

Jan 3, 2007
11:34 PM
Connie,

Winter is more than cold weather, it's also days of low light. And it's nights of very cold weather. It was near fifty here today, but I woke with frost and ice on the ground and its returning now.

Winter is here, it's slow to start, but soon you'll be moaning snowdrifts and heating bills that are through the roof.

Sow you seeds. Keep the faith.

T

So on Monday I am going to start my WSing... I would start this week, but my kitchen is in shambles right now, since DH decided he was going to finish my kitchen closet... Once I can put things away in there, I will be bringing all my jugs and containers in there and sow to my little hearts content :o)...

Happy Winter Gardening Everybody :o)

Connie