Wintersowing

Good morning everyone -I am sitting looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. A pretty site despite the cold. Later today my hubby and I walk down the boardwalk and see what all is open. The city was aglow as we pulled in early last evening. Tthis riding in a car for 5+ hours is for the birds though. We will be leaving soon to drive about another hour so that we can visit with niece who lives here in New Jersey,

Not sure when we will go and check out the casinos. I have been here a couple of times, but never to stay overnight. I am glad to be away for a littlel R and R. I just hope that everyone at home is doing well. As we were preparing to leave yesterday, the dogs knew something was up. One followed me from room to room and he doesn't usually do that. When we called home, my son said that the smallest one has found a place to get through the fence. Daggone dog!!!

Oh yeah, I was gonna say something about wintersowing.

Well, first of all, this will be my first try. I have all the supplies other than the potting soil that I will be needing. I plan to begin sowing next week. Will have to familiarize myself with all the seeds that I have ordered. I have a lot of seed and would be willing to share after I see what I will be using and what is left over.

I would like to hear from anyone here who have wintersowed and those who plan to this year. There is also a wintersow forum here which I will also be participating in too.

So if anyone has anything to share on this subject, please feel free to post. This is wishing all of you a happy weekend.

Ruby

Thanks for writing!
Your opening line puts me right there, in memories of waking up in a hotel room, for me it's always on a vacation and associated with fun and adventure. Wish we were doing it but just not this year, for no particular reason but lack of planning. Well, if DH back hadn't gone'out' he would probably have come up with something; he's the impulsive one. Last year e went to Williamsburg, taking advantage of free hotel room points we earn with a credit card. Nice place, pretty, but the passes to go in everything are $$$$$, so we just walked around. Another time we went to Hagerstown (free hotel also) Loved the City Park. Then hit the C andO canal Cushwa Basin and a "short' side trip to a park in WV, which was great but not such a short trip after all. Sometimes we don't research too well......(its only three inches on the map!)..got home late and really dragging.

I haven't wintersowed, but at this stage I am afriad that if I did seedlings in my basement, I would forget them for a few days and they would dry out. It is fun to watch them. I think wintersowing would be more forgiving of that. I'll prolly sow some things in my new cold frame. That was a project that fell in our laps due to all the materials being scavengeable(?) things we were going to take to the dump otherwise. DH and I planned it and DH made D oldest S help, and Son told his friend yesterday-yeah we made that- so that makes it worthwhile to me even if the groundhog DID get in this fall and trim my baby lettuce and cabbage, and there are vole holes in it now.

I will not be doing any winter sowing, Don't know much about it except for plants that naturally reseed themselfs out side anyways. I will be starting seeds in the basement, I have room for 8 flats. I did order some seeds last fall when they were on sale. Need to take some time to look through the new seed catalogs that have been arriving since Dec 1st.

My set up to start seeds is right under the open basement stairs so when I go up the steps I can see them. That way makes it easy to attend to their needs.

Sally, I loved looking at the doors in Williamsburg, decorated for the holidays, we took a bus trip down there the year they had that terrible ice storm, they were still cutting up trees that had fallen across the interstate. I never saw that much distruction from ice before, everyone on the bus was amazed.

Ruby, you have a good time, just enjoy yourself!

Chris

I'm a first time winter sower this year. I have WAY too many seeds and hope I can keep myself under control, lol. It will be fun to read how others are doing things. Glad you made this post!

Joanne

Hi Ladies - Yout trips sound like fun sally. Oh yes, Williamsburg is a great place to visit. I haven't been for a while now though. Seems the past few years that most of our trips are leading north rather than south. Oops, take it back. We did bypass Willaimsburg last July when we visited VA Beach for a few days.

I am also writing on another of Dave's Garden forums. I started visiting the Depression thread that is under Healthy Living. That particular thread has now started on a part #3. Lots of activity on it. Must be a lot of depressed people. Well, I made the statement just a few minutes ago that I hadn't seen the word depression mentioned while everyone was talking of de-cluttering heir homes and things. I told them that it must be that activity and depression do not go hand in hand. I know that whenever I have been depressed in the past that my husband will eventually take me by the hand and say, "we are going so and so." I know that I always feel better afterwards and want to be alive and involved.

Chris, my house is absolutely too small to do any more inside. Last winter I did some seeds under light, but don't even have that room this year. I obtained too many new plants this past summer. ha-ha.

Netwiz, I am afraid that I have the very same problem as yourself - I too have a whole LOT of seeds. After I sow what I want I will offer my leftovers here. I visited my niece yesterday who lives about 45 minutes from here (Atlantic City) and she moved last summer in to a new home. She wants me to come at some point in the spring and help her and her husband add some color to their yard. ha-ha Talk about transplanting - from central VA to southern NJ. I have noticed a lot of sea grasses and yucca up here. Virginia Beach in the past few years has added palm trees to the streets. In the winter they have them well covered with the burlap though.

It is interesting to have another "interest" (gardening) and go to different areas and see what is grown there. There is a possibility that I might attend a conference that is taking place in Las Vegas in April. Now that is definitely a part of the country that is way different than what I am used to seeing. I have never visited out that way and it should be very interesting.

How about me using the word "interesting" so much? ha-ha

Anyway, as you come up with thoughts about what you plan to do as far as keeping your hands dirty this winter, please post here. Have a great new ytear my friends.

Ruby

That's a mighty thoughtful husband you have there, Ruby. I think a change of scene is always a help when you're a bit depressed.

We made two trips to California years ago, one to the desert area east of LA and the other to Santa Barbara. I went teetotally nuts over the plants.

One day we were driving past the city hall in Santa Barbara and I made my ex slam on the brakes so I could jump out and run over to see the datura TREE on the grounds. (Actually, I guess it was a brugmansia and not a datura, but it was a fairly large tree.) Rubber plants and other "houseplants" as tall as three story houses were so much fun. It's also where I discovered gazania and iceplant, which were planted everywhere as groundcovers. And the bouganvillea (spelling?) dripping all over the fronts of houses just took your breath away.

The desert was interesting too but what was most interesting was the people who were using water that had to be piped hundreds of miles to create eastern style yards with grassy lawns and other water hog plants. The yards with native plants were much prettier.

Of course, having living my whole life in Virginia where liquor is only sold in state owned liquor stores, I also got a kick out of the booze being sold in the grocery stores. LOL

You are a nut Hart.!!! Yes, I can remember my first visit to Nags Head NC and ordering a mix drink with my meal and being told that they didn''t sell them by the drink. Not sure if that has changed there now or not.

You mentioned about some of the houseplants growing outside and so tall in CA. It brought to mind a picture that was taken of me two years ago in Texas. I had forgotten that I attended a wedding in San Antonio two Aprils ago. The pic shows me standing under a 20 or 30 foot high Aloe (I think.) It sure did look like aloe, even if it wasn't. This trip was taken a while before I got so interested in gardening, so I am sure that I missed out on some really spectacular stuff. Oh yeah, like you said, plants as tall as three story buildings. That is about how tall the many palms in San Antonio were. I was walking along just looking up and my hubby was laughing at me. He then admitted that he did the same things when he first visited Los Angeles.

Palms seem a world away. And...I know how it is to have been from and still there as a Virginia resident. The furthest that I ever moved was about a 45 minute drive from where I reside now, on the homeplace.

Have a good New Year!!!

Ruby

I remember when Virginia didn't have liquor by the drink either. That law was changed when I was in high school. I was having lunch at the one of the downtown Manassas eateries just before the law changed and a tourist was trying to order a drink with his lunch. The waitress was having a time trying to explain to him you couldn't order a drink with a meal anywhere in the state.

You could sell beer but not mixed drinks. I remember most places had private clubs where the members brought their own bottle and the club sold mixers.

Ruby-

I wasn't sure what winter sowing was! Didn't know there's a DG discussion forum just for it. Also, I searched online and found this website:

http://www.wintersown.org/

Looks like a great idea. I'm ready to try winter sowing.

ruby must have had a reeeal good time on New Years Eve-- still recovering ;-) ?????hello??? or hasn't left the casino in two days? winning a bundleXXX that's supposed to look like fingers crossed

Wonderful to have you greenkat. Let us know how things go when you get started. Yes, I saw the DG forum, but would hope that we can also keep this thread going too. I need to check that forum out this morning because I haven't checked it for a while.

Sally - I am gonna show my age. If I remember clearly on New Years Eve we visited the casino's during the afternoon and stayed an hour or so. That was long enough to lose about $20 or $25 for each of us. We then came back to the room and went to sleep until 11:30 PM. I woke up in time to watch the "ball' drop in Times Square. I probably spent a couple of hours here on laptop and then went back to sleep again for a while. We are NOT big gamblers nor partiers. Never been big gamblers and have partied enough for one life time. ha-ha.

Yesterday afternoon while visiting a casino I played a slot machine whose theme was an elephant. I was able to spend about two hours of playing time and lost once again $25. It was good amusement. Several times I had high scores and should have cashed out, but decided to continue playing. I collect elephants so thought maybe that would bring me some luck. Didn't happen, ha-ha. I played a garden themed slot machine the other day but didn't win any at all. I was very disappointed.

I am really surprised at how busy this city is at all times of day, night and season. Another interesting thing that I have noticed is the amount of panhandlers there are on the boardwalk. They must have seen us coming and thought we looked easy. John handed out several dollar bills on New Years Eve to some of the people who looked down trodden.

Later this morning I am hoping to go out on the beach with John and hunt for sea shells. Yesterday after having a rain storm for most of the day on Monday, he found 6 or 8 big shells. I am not sure what type the shells were but I have never seen this type on any beach that I have visited, only in the souviner shops. On Monday the surf was crashing back and forth and really shook things up.

Alrighty friends, need to scoot. Happy Seed Sowing to all.

Ruby

I just thought of a question for you all. What can I use to make the containers I am sowing in be heavier? I would hate to see them blow over or away. The only thing that I can think of is sitting a small and heavy rock in each one. I don't know how much trouble I will have finding rocks to fit that billl. So, if any of you have other suggestions, please let me know. Thank you.

Ruby

Ruby- I think that would work, as long as your containers are large enough for rock and soil. (I read somewhere on the WSing forum that you need 4 inches of soil.) You can buy a bag of rocks at Home Depot or Lowes for under $4. I can't find enough rocks in my small yard so I buy them. Put them at the bottom of my container plants. Seems to help them stay upright in a storm.

Thanks for the reply greenkat. I live on a two acre property that has rocks galore. In fact,, now that I think of it, I have several buckets of different size rocks in my garden shed. My friend and I picked them up a while back when my husband cleared a space for one of my flower beds. I hope that I have enough of the right size though.
Interesting about the depth of the containers. Yes, I
would agree that 4 inches is probably a good depth, but I also read somewhere that 3 inches is okay. I am hoping that three will be enough because most of the containers that I bought might be shorter than that. Hmmm.....I guess that time will tell.

Do you already have seed or will you need to purchase some? I purchased last fall and will have plenty, I would think. I also saved whatever I could off of the plants that I had last summer. Ii am thinking that the only thing left for me to get is soil.

I hope that you will have fun doing this. i am really looking forward to it.

Ruby

Hi Ruby,

I was concerned about the containers blowing in the wind as well until I did a few. They are much heavier than I expected once the 3 to 4 inches of damp soil is put in. They may lighten up a little when the soil drys out a bit but I don't think enough to be a problem. I've only sown in milk jugs so far so other containers may pose more of a problem. I also plan to tie four jugs together by the handles to help anchor them down.

You might want to try out a few and see whether you really need the rocks or not. Please keep us updated on what type of containers you feel need more weight... I want to be sure to have the rocks if needed. Thanks!!

Joanne

I was going through my list of seeds and sorting them into which month they will be sown. I've been guessing at what temp is usual for each month and realized I can pop on here and just ask!

Many of my seeds germinate at 68 degrees but I can't recall which month gets that warm... April, May or even June? I don't want to sow the tender stuff too early but also don't want to wait until they get fried. Anyone have any idea?

Thanks,
Joanne

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=ctp

Last April the average high temperature was around 65, May was 72. That's Harrisburg... About seeds sprouting, I have no idea. Would it just take a few warm days in February for them to sprout? I don't know.

What a great site, thanks Claypa! I'm about 30 minutes from Harrisburg so this will be great for estimating monthly temps. I'm only sowing hardy perennials in Feb. so hopefully won't have many early sprouts from a warm spell.

Joanne

Hi net and clay - I like your idea of attaching 4 of the gallon jugs together. That really ought to make them heavy enough. I have been saving milk jugs for several months, but I also purchased some aluminum pans to sow in. The pans are called lasagna pans and are three inches deep and have clear lids that add another couple of inches in height. They might be large enough that wind won't blow them over, but just to be safe I will put at least one fist size rock in the container.

Net, you asked about what you might begin sowing now. Sorry that I can't help you. I can send you over to the DG Wintersowing forum. I was just there and it looks like the lady guru of wintersowing has started a link to a database for wintersowing. I didn't research thoroughly but it looked liked it was set up so that you could search for information by typing in the name of a plant. That will be worth its weight in gold.

As you learn things, please come back and report here. It doesn't hurt to have two places to look for answers.

Thanks for the link clay. It looks like a very helpful tool.

Have a good day everyone.

Ruby

Tying, taping or wiring pots/jugs together sounds like a real good idea. Oh dear, I haven't saved plastic jugs! With only son away at college, hubby and I don’t buy milk by the gallon anymore. Well, my son is home on break and I’ll ask my neighbors to save me some. Probably will have enough by the end of the month.

Claypa- From your link I was able to click on the NOAA homepage then find the weather data for Baltimore. (Close enough to Crofton.) Thanks.

Ruby- I took advantage of seed companies fall and winter sales. I probably bought too many seeds. Here is a partial list of my seeds:

Agastache ‘Purple Pigmy”
Blackberry Lily
Calendula officinalis
Chrysanthemum (annual)
Dianthus barbatus- Sweet William
Dianthus caryophyllus- Carnation
Dianthus chinensis- China Pink
Several varieties of Marigold
Several varieties of Nasturtium
Several varieties of Pansy
Several varieties of Penstemon
Several varieties of Salvia
Several varieties of Zinnia
Also- Begonia, Coleus, Gazania, Nicotiana, Portulaca and Sunflower

And for my butterfly garden:
Asclepias (incarnata and tuberosa)
Aquilegia canadensis
Eupatorium "Gateway"
Liatris "Kobold"
Lobelia (Cardial flower)
Monarda (didyma and fistulosum)
Ratibida columnifera
Solidago speciosa

Should have lots to trade. I'm not sure if I will winter sow all my seeds. As somebody over at the WSing forum said, "so many seeds so little time."

I thought the whole idea of winter sowing was not to plant things when temperatures are warm enough for them to sprout but to leave them outside all winter so they would sprout when temperatures warm up? If they're perennials (probably unless they're very tropical plants) the winter cold won't hurt the seeds and may in some cases help break dormancy.

The wintersown site should be able to explain all this and tell you what can and can't be winter sown.

Hart - I agree that most perennials would do fine with the cold temps. I was looking for temp info for the tender perennials and annuals I will be sowing. Most say they germinate in 2 weeks at 68 degrees. I had read there was less success when sowing tender seeds too early and want to avoid making that mistake. I guess these types of seeds would be spring sowing?

Joanne

I take great pleasure in agreeing with Hart on this . . . !!! ;)

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

I would imagine most that are tender won't suitable for winter sowing at all. There are annuals and tender perennials that have seeds that aren't harmed by the cold, though. Datura, for example, will self sow in the garden or years even though the plant is killed by frost. And of course any half hardy annuals' seeds should be fine.

I think your best bet is to use the info on the wintersown site.

Thanks Hart, I'll have to check to see which ones will tolerate the colder temps. This is my first year Wsing and I'm afraid of making big mistakes. The leap of faith is easier said than done, lol.

Joanne

I got all the stuff together to winter sow and was so excited about doing it this year and then...the weather hit. Not bad weather, not cold weather but this mild, miserable not winter weather. I bet doorknobs to nails that if I try to winter sow I am going to end up with a bunch of leggy plants that won't survive! I am so bummed! The temp on our deck in the afternoons is way too warm for this time of year, like right now in the sun it is 67! UGH! I had visions of my gallon jugs sitting in snow with little green things in them! Plus I have seeds that need cold and wanted to do it the natural way! Sigh!

Angie

aquilegia (columbine) is one that self sows, but it needs a few cycles of warm -cold and moisture (i've read). so that would need to start earlier I guess. I would hope that there's a list or book or table specifying which seeds to do when

That link above is lists of plants by species and zone for winter sowing

Thank you once again for doing our homework for us as far as linking up goes, Clay. I am sure that the data base will come in handy when I get home and am able to study a bit.

Ruby

I'm going to try wintersowing for the first time this year, too. I've been saving recyclable plastic containers, my favs are the 6.5" x 8.5" black plastic containers that turkey meatballs come in, they are 3' deep, w/ some drainage holes poked in them, do you think they would be alright? I have odds & ends of seeds I've purchased this year-annual, perennial, & vegetable, after I have them all planted, I might pick up some more...

I think if I cover them w/ plastic & stick them right outside the back door, I should be able to keep an eye on them, I'll be happy if even a quarter of them produce seedlings...Linda

It sounds as though you are ready to get started Linda. It is exciting. Your containers sound about the same size as what I will be using. I am new too, so can't say whether yours or mine will work. Have you been to any of the winter sowing sites or to the Dave's Garden wintersowing forum?

That is where we are going to find the answers to most of our questions. I do like the idea of touching base with others in my "home group" though.

I came through northern VA today on my way home from New Jersey. We stopped for a short visit with a friend in Centreville. My hubby used to live up towards your way, but is happier here where the traffic isn't so bad. Our small town is having a major growth spurt though. Houses being built every where. I am not sure how the current roads are going to hold the extra traffic. Oh well.

Thanks for your post Linda and keep us updated.

Ruby

It's wonderful that so many of you are getting into the wintersowing spirit! If you have any questions, concerns or need more information, please post them in the Wintersowing Forum http://davesgarden.com/forums/f/coldsow/all/ where we try to answer your questions through our successes & yes, failures. Also, don't forget to read Trudi's (Poojer on DG) Wintersown website. It is full of helpful information, tips, fun games, and lots of step-by-step pictures. Plus, a database of plants for each growing zone is now available. http://www.wintersown.org

Thank you for posting the links shirley. I don't know how to post links yet.

Do you plan to wintersow this year and have you started yet?

Ruby

Hi Ruby. You're an early riser!

To post links- 1. Highlight the web address in the URL bar of your browser. 2. Copy. 3. Paste where ever you want the link (DG forum, emails, etc.). Its that easy.

I have collected two plastic gallon jugs already. Will probably have enough by end of Jan.

Hi everyone, I have been reading all your posts. Will not be wintersowing, just doing my regular seed starting around March in the basement. I have started a list of the seeds I'll be starting in my journal, if anyone wants to take a look you are more then welcome.

I will be ordering seed starting mix from Gardeners Supply, that stuff has never let me down.

Ruby, are you planing to wintersow those columbine seeds I sent you? Just wondering.

If any one else wants some columbine seeds just d-mail me I have plenty, they are over a year old but are well kept. Here is a picture of the flowers they came from.

They will not bloom the 1st year but once established whey will reseed. I have had these for over 30 years.

Wow! What gorgeous columbines!

don't mean to bore you, may have said this before, but I read that columbine MUST have cycles of cold and damp to sprout, so don't wait too long(
hi, chris, wondered where you were, probably lost without several feet of snow this time of year?)

Hi Sally, No, I'm not lost without the snow. I really don't like snow, it's not fun at my age anymore LOL.
The back yard is like a swamp. Haven't had a really hard freeze yet, and I have been watching thing stay green or sprouting out of the ground like everyone else. I expect a lot of people getting sick, I'm glad I got my flu shot! If one of our patients call to say they are not feeling well, we tell them to stay home, so I am busy trying to fill the dental schedule at the last minute.

I am resting, so that I'll be able to enjoy gardening next season, the surgery site is still sore, things are still healing on the inside I guess. The way I hear this could last more then a year.

Gee, sorry this isn't a very up beat post.

Maybe a spring picture will help : )

Hey Chris - don't ever apologize for saying what is on your mind. I very often will be writing about my feelings on a particular topic and be able to come up with a solution that I hadn't thought of before. When I got home yesterday I sat down and wrote a bit on the depression thread here. I was feeling a bit down then too. Am better today thankfully. Some of mine may have been exhaustion yesterday too.

And oh yes, I will be wintersowing the seed that you sent. I love columbines. I will probably have some seed that I can share later on too, after I use what I want. And Chris, since you have wintersown before, please feel free to stop in here and give us newbies some tips please. Also feel free to let us know if we are doing things incorrectly.

Thanks greenkat for sharing instructions on how to post a link. I will try it out later.

Well, I am running out of steam and need to go and put on jammies. Hubby has gone to get subs for our dinner. Such a good guy. He actually helped me clean house and do laundry today. I don't know what has gotten in to him, but I like it!!!! Have a good Sunday all.

Ruby

Ruby, I need to make a correction, I have never wintersowed, unless you count throwing out some old fresh holly and finding one of the seeds sprouted. LOL. I understand winter sowing is actually starting hardy seeds outside, in containers over the winter. Belive me any seeds sprouting over the winter in my yard is by accident.

I would like to start a thread dealing with starting seeds indoors. If any one is interested, or will be doing the same. Just let me know.

Chris