Winter Sowing Basics

A few years ago, I stumbled across a post in a Facebook gardening group about something called Winter Sowing. As soon as I read more about it, I knew I had to try it.

What is Winter Sowing?

Simply put, winter sowing is a way to start your seeds outdoors during the winter that allows you to germinate seeds without special lights or heat mats. I also love that it gives me something to do before the growing season starts to ramp up.

What can you Winter Sow?

Technically, you can winter sow almost anything but it depends a lot on where you are growing and what. In my area, the best candidates for winter sowing are cool-season vegetables like spinach and onions as well as perennials like Echinacea and Columbine, but I also sow annuals like Scabiosa

Some of the seeds I have selected require something called cold stratification. This is a process where periods of cold weather are needed to help the seeds break dormancy. While this can also be done in a refrigerator or freezer, winter sowing can save you an extra step.

How to Winter Sow

Something I like about this method is that it doesn’t require much in the way of supplies. There are no heating mats and no artificial lighting and it saves precious space in my seed starting set up. Here is what you’ll need to get started:

Containers

I am using recycled gallon and half gallon milk jugs that I’ve collected over the last few months. Other container options could be those large takeout containers with the clear lids or even two-liter soda bottles. Whatever you choose, you need to make sure that it is made of clear or semi-opaque plastic.

Soil

Other Supplies

Step-by-Step

Gather the containers that you would like to use and make holes in the bottom. I used a soldering iron but you can also use a screwdriver or drill. Make sure you enough holes to ensure proper drainage.

With your Xacto knife or box cutter, slice around the circumference of the container but leave a few inches intact to act as a hinge.

Fill the bottom of the container with potting mix, leaving 1/2″ to 1″ room. Sprinkle your seeds on top and lightly dust with a sprinkle of soil. Water lightly and put a label inside with the variety you’ve just sowed.

I should note that there are lots of different ways to label the containers and something else that can work is numbering your containers. Then you can record what went with each number. I have opted for tags on the inside because I don’t trust myself to actually keep track of yet another document or spreadsheet.

After you water and label, carefully close the container and close with duct tape. Since the container will be exposed to the elements, it’s important to use a tape that will be able to hold up for a few months.

Now you can place your containers outside! I usually to set mine in the raised beds so they don’t get blown away.

Here’s what I planted this year: