Don’t Wait For Spring
We tend to think of winter as a time when growing ends.
Sowing in the colder months can give your perennials and annuals a nice head start.
You’ll be able to enjoy it all weeks earlier — and you don’t need any specialized equipment or growing lights. Instead, winter sowing can be refreshingly DIY.
WINTER SOWING
Containers can serve as cute little mini-greenhouses, allowing plants to take root before it’s warm enough to grow them conventionally. Make these winter-sowing containers out of old water or milk jugs, cutting them in half with about one-quarter still intact to create a hinge. Use an electric drill or craft knife to punch holes in the bottom for drainage purposes, and in the top so that moisture gets in. Sowing can then begin as early as January, depending on your location. Plant in airy soil like perlite or peat moss, or else a potting mixture with a similar texture. Wet and then drain the soil before proceeding. Once planted, tape the containers closed and place them outside in a place where they’ll get southern exposure to the sun. The seeds will take root through winter and then sprout as temps warm.
WHAT TO PLANT The ideal candidates for
winter sowing are hardy annuals and perennials which grow best in your zone. Hardy plants are able to withstand frost, can be planted outdoors in late fall or early winter, or in early spring when the evenings are still cool. Additional plant options for winter sowing are those with labels stating that they need pre-chilling or require stratification. If you want to sow other annuals, simply wait until closer to spring.
OTHER SMART TIPS
Don’t forget to label everything so you’ll know what to look for once sprouts are expected to appear. Place it all out of reach of wild animals or curious pets. If condensation doesn’t begin to form inside the containers, add a small amount of water inside around the edges and punch more holes in the top. Eventually, as the weather warms, you’ll open the lids in order to provide the plants with full sun exposure. If the tops are left on too long into spring, they will begin to create excessive heat which may kill the plants.