I have done winter sowing for the past three years with hit or miss success. I am in zone 5b (or 6A now??) near Chicago. Believe it or not my big success last year were TOMATOES AND PEPPERS! I started them in the milk jugs the very beginning of April. We can usually plant just after Mother’s Day and I had so many seedlings that I gave a bunch away. I thought they were almost too small to plant but I had nothing to lose so I did. The plants did so well! They were huge and I got a great harvest of jalepenos, sweet peppers, banana peppers, cherry tomatoes and a couple varieties of heirloom tomatoes. Don’t be afraid to try!
@@robinbeck8422 I have tried to winter sow echinacea every year and it never works for me. That’s the only perennial I have tried. I have had great success with herbs, onions, broccoli, lettuce, spinach and kale.
@@jeanniedavison9337 our last frost date is usually at the end of April, but in our area you never know. People usually use Mother’s Day as the safe time to plant tender plants. I watch the forecast and play it by ear.
Hi Laura! If you'd really like to label your jugs on top, may I suggest this method to you; I use to work in a library and had to do this often when stamping books. Write directly on top of the jug wherever you wish and then cover the writing with clear tape. The tape protects the writing. I use this same method when labeling food dishes and utensils that I'd bring to family/friend holidays or gatherings. Works like a charm! Happy gardening!
This is going to be my first time to ever try and start plants by seed. I bought my first ones from Andrew seeds❤ Please say a prayer for me that I get some plants out of this. So excited and so scared.
May I just add, that there are some pens that I have found that work MUCH better than sharpies, they are called IdentiPens. They are harder to find, I had to order mine on the internet. But they don't wash off, and they are still readable at the end of the grow season. Just a random FYI
Thanks for sharing this wonderful technique with others. I love Winter Sowing! Two things I would like to share as a 4-year winter sower: I start all my seeds this way, including warm weather things. I just wait until early spring to do those things. My first year, I was skeptical about starting tomatoes, but then thought about all those volunteer tomatoes that pop up in all our gardens. The seeds have been out in all the winter weather, temp changes, etc. without any protection at all, but they still germinated when the conditions were right. And my tomato plants are so strong and healthy! I don't want people to think they absolutely can't use it for warm weather crops and miss out. Secondly, I figured out last year that if I placed the "hinge" on my jug opposite the handle, the top part stayed open better when planting and when transplanting. The weight of the handle helped to keep the top more open. While I wish I had figured that out sooner, at least it finally clicked, and we are constantly learning, aren't we?
OMG it's happening guys, we are planting things again in anticipation of Spring! It feels like we just ended the growing season. Wasn't Laura just planting things outside a month ago? So exciting :)
You’ve motivated me once again! 😊 One thing I came up with to keep my marker from fading from sun and weather exposure is to create a flap using a piece of duct tape folded over on itself leaving a strip of sticky part to adhere to the jug… kind of like a duct tape like post-it stuck over the plant name. It has kept my label from fading. A mini visor so to speak lol. Thanks again for all you do to inspire all dirt digging devotees like myself.
You were the one who introduced me to winter sowing a few years ago and I’ve had success with it every year! However, I do believe this is your best video yet with instructions on how to do it! Last year I grew yarrow and tomatoes! Please keep us posted throughout the winter as to how they are doing and especially when they germinate, when to take the domes off etc. I do hope Samantha is recovering well from her illness. ❤
Will you also be showing how you handle them when the time comes to plant them out? And progress reports on how they are doing afterward? I've not seen it be taken that far by anyone and I would love it if you could when the time comes. Thank you, as always, for a very informative video. I'm excited to try this year.
Depends on how dense the seedlings are and how many you want, as well as how much you want the seedlings. I’ve heard of people individually separating out over 50 Cardinal flower seedlings from one bin. Some people utilize a “hunk of seedlings” method where you take a small chunk and just plant it, and allow the strong to survive. A fork can be useful to get them out too.
Hints from northern west Michigan, zone 5/6: I am now using Tidy Cat litter containers as they are a little sturdier in our winter weather, as well as for reusing. Also, I put the containers in several kids’ plastic sleds or my Sno-Sled, which makes it easy to move them (if needed) as well as to add water from the bottom.
Great idea!!! I have quite a few of these that have been hanging around a while. Cool! I live in the Texas panhandle. It's really windy and then weather is never "normal" here (whatever that is!😂). We use the free and clear type, too, so that smell isn't in them.
@@kimberlyheibel8759 , I’m in Northport, 30 miles north of Traverse City, and grow about 20 variety of zinnia this way, I found I get an earlier bloom time. I’m going to try more “cool flower” seeds, too.
We don’t buy the clear tidy cat box, so I can’t use that, however, last year I did take my kids sled and put I think it was 86 toilet paper rolls in there, filled those with dirt and then covered the sled and the filled/seeded rolls with cellophane…they turned out beautiful! Good luck in your gardening adventures!
I've been winter sowing forever and I write the name of the variety on the top of the jug in garden marker, then cover this with wide, clear packing tape. It protects it from wearing off.
I like winter sowing, but last year tried doing it right into seed trays. Loved it even more! I used saved up flats and cell trays from previous years seedling buying, filled them with soil, planted each cell as you normally would, watered them all in, and then stacked the flats up in a protected spot. I unstacked them in the spring as they began to germinate. When they were ready to plant out, each seedling was in its own cell and so very easy to pop out and plant into my beds. It suited me.
I’m intrigued, but have questions: Do your flats allow for drainage? Do you place a dome over the top tray? Is your protected spot outside? Clever idea!
Hi Laura, Basic gardener here 👋 No matter how many times I’ve watched the winter planting method in water bottle containers, with each passage of time, it seems to build my knowledge, courage and willingness to have a go. This time I was thinking I hope she remembers the holes in the bottom - 🙌 which means I learnt something last time. It is all making sense the more I watched, even though you explained it so well the first time. I hope your little one is doing better now? 👧🏼
It’s pretty no nonsense. I’m very inexperienced and had great success my first year. Plus it’s kinda fun. You can always start small. All the best to ya
From Connecticut… I used only potting soil the first year and now I give the seeds a little middle layer of starting mix and a top layer of vermiculite too. The seeds can get a start in the fluffy starting mix then grab the moisture out of potting soil with their beautiful roots right away. Vermiculite keeps the green mold from taking over. Big functional helps from each of the three important layers.
Winter sowing is SO helpful for native wildflower seeds, most of which require this type of treatment to germinate. I do this for seeds I've collected from my native prairie.
I finally gave winter sowing a go last year. It was a total success. I am in Zone 5b, Northwest suburbs of Chicago. I successfully winter sowed lettuce, broccoli, calendula, COSMOS, marigolds, cilantro, nasturtium, alyssum, and snapdragons. I had my doubts, but I'll be doing this every year from now on. I will say, surprisingly, my lavender and beebalm did not germinate. Maybe it was my seeds?
Laura, my friend, the smartest hort. lady in our county, I think I remember her starting her listiantis in December. She owned a Mom-&-pop Nursery. I think I also think I remember her saying she started her listiantis in the dark initially.
I had a rough 2023 with a lot of family health issues and becoming a temporary caregiver. I become less focused on my gardening and even watching Garden Answer. Well it’s a new year and now I have tons of videos to binge and catch up on! Thank you for all you do and inspiring all of us to get our hands dirty!
This was your most thorough winter sowing video yet. I started this process after watching you 5 years ago. My empty water jugs are piling up in the garage, so I should start some later this week. Last year, I kind of overdid it and planted 57 jugs, and it's hard to find time to plant them all with the other seedlings that I grow under lights. Thanks for this winter sowing refresher!
That’s MY problem too! I get so excited to start the seeds, overdo it, and somewhere along the line I run out of time to plant! Why would I learn my lesson the first three times!?
One honorable mention about winter sowing is cost savings! So much less expensive than buying perennials as plant especially if you have a large area to fill! And, it satisfies the need to get your hands in the soil when we are all past the holidays and cheering on Spring’s return. 😊
Here in zone 9b, I simply use 10' x 20' black seedling trays/flats poked with a few drain holes and filled with potting soil. I sow into directly into them, then put the humidity dome in place. I tape the domes on so wind won't carry them off, a few holes in the dome, and presto, what I already had to use with my indoor grow light set up, now works for hundreds of seedlings outdoors. All my hardy annuals, perennials, and frost tolerant anything are now grown this way, giving me all that much more shelf space under the lights inside. I've also learned that my seeds germinate just fine in potting soil, inside or out, so never use seedling potting mix anymore. Saves having to pot up my seedlings, as they are already in soil that I can simply fertilize and keep the seedlings growing. So much less work and expense.
Great post! Yes, it’s not necessary to do all this work and expense. It basically is creating a bunch of mini cold frames. I think location has a lot to do with how successful different containers can work. Some need more babysitting and with the crazy temp swings it can be trying.
Did this last year with foxglove and salvia; it was a huge success. Can’t wait to see all those foxglove bloom this year; the salvia was a rock star in out hottest, driest summer on record.
I have used a grease pencil for this marking and it doesn’t fade away in the sun. Might find it called a China marker or China grease pencil. Walmart, Home Depot, big box stores all have these.
I started gardening in 2020 and in 2021-2023 I started all my seeds via winter sowing. It’s so easy, it’s pretty fool proof and affordable! And I learned all about it from Laura. This year I have my first indoor seed starting set up including lights, heat mats, domes and seed starting calendar, again all thanks to Laura! So excited to start seeds both indoors and outdoors this year. I sure love winter sowing and Garden Answer! ❤
My first time winter sowing last year. Only 4 jugs and all were successful! I just cut over 40 plastic jugs yesterday and have a few more to do! Winter sowing shall commence. NW Indiana zone 5b-6
I truly appreciate you leaving the work sounds in. It helps me know what to expect if I do the same thing. Sometimes if something “doesn’t sound right” I think I’m doing it wrong. 😂
Hey from Et. TN. I use my old black nursery pots and cover with clear shower caps from the $ Tree that I've poked holes in. Had decent success with them last year.
I've been winter sowing for yrs. Love it, I first learned from Trudy D on The internet in early 2000s. There is a huge fb page too, winter sowing. Your videos are so good on this, well, on everything you do ❤. I use duck tape on the bottom of the jug to label as a back up to the marker inside. I'm chomping at the bit to get my hands dirty. But alas, I must get xmas done. Thank you Laura🌻
I have done winter sowing for the past 2 winters. I had no faith that it would work where I live because we have fairly harsh winters in Maine. but I was pleasantly surprised!! This gives me a little bit of gardening therapy when there is no gardening to be done! I've been trying to save up my jugs (if I can keep my husband from throwing them away!)
Hi, I thought I answered this but my reply isn't showing up. Anyway, I could start in January but have been out of town a lot so I'm planning to start this weekend. I have 6 jugs saved up (yaaaa!)@@mynewjourney6803
@@michellescountrygardens True, but when I did the method as the original post stated, I didn't put a lot of seeds on the ground. However, by late summer, I was able to do a little bit of thinning and transplanting, which was similar to what happens when I buy potted perennials in the spring.
I did this a few years ago and it worked great!21 out of 23 did very well. Also labeled the jugs inside and numbered them outside then wrote down in a tablet what they were.
This is my 4th year using winter sowing for seed starting. I have ferrets that would destroy any seed starting in my home. Some things that I have learned over the past few years are 1. patience is the key and the hardest part of winter sowing. 2. seedlings will be smaller than those that are started indoors but will take off once planted out and catch up or surpass those started indoors. 3. Plant the seedlings out while they are small. This will give their roots a better chance to get established. I have WS heat loving plants such as tomatoes, peppers, green beans, and watermelons successfully. I put plant tags in the containers and I label the outside of very jug with a number and record that number in my garden journal with the type of seeds sowed. I can refer back to the journal in case the tags wear off. I use a sharpie and have not had a problem with things wearing off. Here in CO we usually have pretty dry and windy winters so I do have to water more often than most.
Winter sowing is the only method I use because I dont have space for seed trays, and its so easy! The only thing I do differently than you is, instead of 1 long strip of tape around the jug, I do a vertical strip on each side of the jug. Where I live in the late winter/early spring, it can get up to the mid 60s during the day then back down to the 30s at night. This makes it easier to open the jug during the day & close it back up securely at night.
A couple things that are helpful are punching holes in the top of the jug too and southern sun exposure. I have wintersowed 2 winters now, this is my third. Last year, I think really helped with germination was putting my jugs on in the backyard with southern sun exposure and against the brick exterior of my home. There was no wind exposure to dry them out too fast as well. The extra sunlight and radiate heat really helped. The previous year, I had them on west side of the house and it seemed to take forever to get going. I had some many seedlings, I had some to give away.
It is easier to leave the top on to give some pressure when putting in drain holes. I’m impressed how easily you cut a straight line. This is the only way I have gotten larkspur to grow. The hardest part is not forgetting about them in the spring. Has anybody ever used them as a cloche and planted in the soil with the jug on top? Would t have to transplant that way. Just wondering.
I have had larkspur sprout with WS, they are such a tender little start so last year I tried the method of sowing on top of the snow, they came up well! Much easier. They bloomed in June and July
What a surprise to wake up to this. I just did all mine the night before your video. I use a hot screwdriver to poke holes (sooooo fast!) Then I make a slit in the milk jug to get scissors through (cuts in no time, and more evenly in fact. ) I also put a piece of clear tap over the writing. Saves on using my labels (always running out!) With winter sowing, I'm always on the fence, but I always end up doing it! What can I say, I'm a sucker! 🤷♀️
I was so excited to see this video today. It reminded me that I need to ask my class parents to save jugs so my class can do our winter sowing, so we have plants to plant in our school garden this spring. The kids are so amazed by this process. They can't believe that we can pant seeds and put them out in the snow. You should see their faces when we open them up in the spring and there are plants growing.
Few additional tips: - additional WS benefits are protection from animals & wind, as well as controlled (more dependable) moisture. - I prefer aluminum labels although many use oil based pens as well. - Promix is probably the most popular “soil” in the WS community although many potting soils are used. - Some folks use coffee filters on the bottom to reduce soil loss. - You can winter sow nearly anything as long as it’s not a tropical plant.
I place ours on the deck. Great light and moisture chances, but they do get blown around. Then I started zip tying the individual handles to the individual deck balusters. Problem solved.
I haven't read all the comments, but I do have a suggestion. Prep your clean bottle when you finish with it. Then you're ready to go for winter sowing.
I’m growing the blue grama grass seeds you showed and it sprouted beautifully! There are sooooo many seeds in the packet, and you sow about 20 seeds per cell. They came up super quick and they are growing beautifully under a grow light in my garage right now. Can’t wait to use them along my driveway, I have purple Loropetalum there already and I think the blue grass will complement them nicely 😊
@@lizmiller8084 they’re not labeled blonde ambition, they’re just blue grama grass and I got them from botanical interests. If you zoom in on her video you’ll see the packet. They were so easy, they’re up and growing really good. 🙂
So happy to see your winter sowing video and thank you for encouraging us to try it each season. I must admit I didn't do too well last time but I'm gonna try, try again! I also have some of the same perennial seed...so here we go! 😊
Always inspiring!! I’ve had success with this, having saw this in your first video about it. Definitely will do the flowers this year like you have done, as we just finished a rock wall raised bed like you did for Monica. So exciting!!
Michigan agriculture extension had a winter sowing You Tube video that I thought was useful also. . . One comment that might be useful to you- They said if you check on your jugs and it doesn’t have condensation it probably needs water. Thank you! Enjoy all your information ❤
Are you going to follow up with them this year? It would be very interesting to do a side-by-side comparison between winter sowing vs under lights (for those that have space inside)
I have 20 jugs going right now. I use 1/2 gallon milk jugs. Have a small urban garden so i don't need lots of one plant. My trick is to have them on the back deck so it is easy for me to step out and spray them with water if they need it. 6b here was sucessful with phlox varieties last year.
Good morning, Laura ☕️ I sowed Lupines up here in Boston using the same method and it worked brilliantly 👏🏻🙌🏻 This will be my project Saturday with a snow ❄️ storm coming Sunday. Have a Blessed Day 😊🐈🐈
Hi! I’m in southern NH. Did your lupine bloom that year, due to the cold season head start, or was it the following year? Also, was this the perennial old fashioned lupine instead of the Russell’s hybrid? Sorry to grill you on this 😀
@@karenharrisonbinette Hi, no worries! Yes, they bloomed profusely! I planted 5 seeds per gallon jug and they all grew huge! I should’ve thinned them but, I just planted the whole thing as one plant and they all formed beautiful flowers and a ton of seed pods. Best wishes!
I have used winter sowing the past 3-4 years. I have a lot of successes and fewer fails here in my zone 8a (coastal nc). Nigella has never performed. No lupine for me. They germinated and grew well but our summer came in hit and fast. Never got a bloom. But I have tremendous luck with foxgloves, hollyhocks, larkspur, alyssum, and others. I did learn in previous years that they do better sown more thinly.
I started winter sowing seeds after watching your first WS video. Getting ready to start my second round of winter sowing. I’m in zone 9b and most of my first round have already sprouted. I use painters tape instead of duct tape which is easier to remove & less messy. I also label my jugs on the outside with just a number that corresponds to my WS spreadsheet. I also include a label inside with the seed details. Great video. Thanks for sharing this info again.
I just moved from sunny San Diego to cold Sweden and assumed my gardening days would not start for another months so you totally inspired me to get begin growing again.
I noticed you sprinkled the blue gramma seed around, versus planting it in a little grouping of seeds. How will you plant that out, or pot on. I have planted grass before and I always planted it in a grouping and it worked well. I have the exact same blue grama grass, so I was so excited to see you growing it.
I use a hot skewer or an old soldering iron to easily pop drain holes through plastic containers. A bread knife makes quick work of slicing through the jug. And Extreme Sharpie markers (not "industrial") are the ones to use to resist UV fading for at least a year or two. Groundhog's Day is my traditional day to start winter sowing. We often get a warm spell in January (where seeds could germinate) followed by extreme cold, so waiting until Feb. is better. Late start? Half-hardy annuals can be sowed through April in my zone 6.
Tried my best last year. Followed so many directions closely…horrible germination on good, fresh seeds for my Snapdragons and Stock … wanted to get a jump start in zone 6b since our Springs or sooo short it gets hot so fast the flowers never last. Best germination I had was for nasturtiums and peas. Won’t be doing it again this year as I now have a new greenhouse and have a place to start seeds to get a quick start. I know loads of people have great luck…but not me.
The temperatures are swinging too much and didn’t work well last year in Z5a, WI either. Plan on waiting to heat the GH and start all seeds in GH this year. Keep the mess outside. Many plants won’t grow until it’s time anyways.
A couple of years ago I followed Laura's instructions and winter sowed Swamp Milkweed... they did beautifully and I now have a nice patch for the butterflies!!!!
Beautiful winter start to spring! I love the perfect advance it brings to our short NW season. Much doing that even someone chair bound could easily participate in ❤.
Winter sowing is my go-to for all of my herbs, perennials, and most especially onions. So easy and no mess. Please attach a link for your mister/watering battle? Or better yet, add it to your store.❤😂
Always appreciate a learning video. You have tons of experience and new viewers daily so this is so nice for all of us. Learn something new each year. Thank you 😊
Every year, after watching your winter sowing videos, i think I am going to try this.... and every year, I forget. 😊 Maybe this will be the year. I do save the caps off the jugs though (especially when they are different colors) to make snowman kits. Blue caps for the eyes, brown caps for mouth and buttons, orange for a nose, etc. Kind of a fun idea.⛄️
someone recently mentioned to me to use a cow tag marker for my tags so the paint wont leave. Also, if you get a lot of rain, you need holes about an inch up each side as well for drainage.
Dear Laura and Aaron, I’ve written before, and I’m sure this comment may never get to you because of the thousands you receive. But I have to reiterate how much I appreciate these videos and especially interacting with your family. I’ve learned so very much and can’t believe how much we think alike. Maybe that’s our Christianitylove you guys Barbara Turner
Hi, I believe that the comments help with making the videos to produce profit...how? I don't know, but heard it helps. So, I try to comment every time and push the like button too. It's fun to stroll through the comments occasionally, because you can get extra encouragement and tips😊
I did this last year for my tomatoes. When plants cost 6 to 10 bucks ,you go to seeds. When i planted my garden,i sowed seeds, okra squash, peas,butter beans, cucumbers, watermelon, peppers of all kinds,eggplants. I sowed directly in the ground,and everything grew really well. But tomatoes are really trying. So i did the milk jug thing. So while i waited on my seeds in the garden to come up,which they did in a matter of days,my young tomato plants were planted to the outside of my vegetable garden. Tho they were already on their way,tomatoes seem to take longer to produce ,so in a months time,everything was spot on. Its hard when everything comes in at one time,so i planted some more seeds in water jugs,so i would have tomatoes coming in later. It worked. When my first tomatoes were done,i had a second crop coming in. I learned from Laura to cut back on my squash take off the bottom leaves that have turned,and sure enough,energy was sent out and soon more blooms came. I inderstand she's doing cooler temp plants,but it works for starting your own plants for summer. I no longer buy garden plants, and this year,I'm doing seeds for flowers. I particularly loved the selene plant she had in containers by the hartly. She started them by seeds. It was pink and so delicate,so i ordered some seeds. I will transfer my seedlings to containers,and some just in the landscape. Doing more pink and burgundy colors this year. I have plenty of burgundy coral bells,so the selena i can tuck in close by. Gardening in the winter, loving it. Thanks Laura!
Just want to say I truly appreciate and thank you for the education that we get by watching 👁️👁️ you you do amazing beautiful job regardless good or bad the result you tell it thank you so very much 👍💗💞
My success story; I took all of my favorites tomatoes at the end of season growth. I put them in a blender, blended them, made a slurry…..and just poured them on the ground last spring where I wanted them to grow. No soil coverage or anything. I had the most amount of tomatoes, HUGE, than I have ever had last summer. 😂😂😂😂 oh and flowers? Just threw the seed out where I wanted them to grow. No raking, no edging, no questioning placement and my garden was incredible. Amazing!
If you created the tomato seed slurry at season end (Fall), but didn’t pour it onto the soil until the following Spring, what did you do with the slurry during the months in between? (Also trying to see connection to winter sowing. Or did you pour the seeds out in the late Fall, leave them to get claimed by the soil over the winter, then looked to see what came up in Spring?)
I bought a new garden sprayer from Harbor Freight for watering the jugs. Here in dry Kansas, I was watered a BUNCH during the process. It’s easy to use the long wand on the jug openings- don’t have to bend over much
When Laura told us about soil holding water and making a ball I felt like I was watching Emily from snake discovery explaining incubator vermiculite 😅😅😅😅 Wonder which volunteers will be under this table in a few weeks😅😅😅😅😅
I've been doing this since I saw you talking about it years ago and it's been a huge success! We've been increasing how many milk jugs I use each year and we're going to use 12 milk jugs this year! Favorites have been lettuces, kale, and chamomile.
I've tried with 75% success. In a 1 bdrm apt and gardening on a balcony zone 9b. Space saving and to water a spray bottle or bottom watering. Hope these make it into the GA garden.
The plants do sometimes need humidity adjustment if you are in a sunny or windy area. I simply cut them open the first day, leaving them mostly shut, then the nextday I loosen and open them a bit more so they dont dry out instantly and get crunchy. Planting them out on a grey day helps too.
I can't remember if you have ever shown us the unveiling and planting of your winter sowing in the past. Will you be showing us your planting process of these after winter is over? Thank you!
Awesome way to recycle, get new plants, teach kids about gardening! I think I'll try to collect enough and set up a seed growing party at the local elementary school that does have a gardening program. THANK YOU for the inspiration.
Laura, Thank you for this refresher course on winter sowing. I've actually had more success with winter sowing than seed starting trays. NW Florida Zone 9a
My fav containers for winter sowing are rotisserie chicken containers!! They have a perfect dome. The only issue I've ever had winter sowing is the plants being zapped in the heat when we have unnatural heat waves in March or April... I'm talking 85 degrees one day, back down to freezing the next. 85 is too hot!!
We had record heat in December and last January it rained in WI-Too Warm. The seeds will rot or germinate and freeze. If I do any they will need to be kept in the shade until closer to spring.
@@dustyflats3832 yeah I spent every morning uncovering them during the heatwaves, then covering to protect them at night and I still lost many seedlings to the heat. It makes it almost not worth the effort. Shade is absolutely necessary though, I agree!! I'm in central Illinois
@@michelleh4588 🤣I was covering them last January to keep the rain off and to shade them. That’s too funny, but not really because this weather is just whacked out. Another thing is Katie up in Hayward, WI ‘Mitza Creek Farms’ showed mums, tulips and wild honeysuckle shrubs sprouting-that’s Crazy! She didn’t know what to do and I said cover them.
@@dustyflats3832 yeah like where is the winter? Every tree near me is budded up. Even the magnolias look like they're ready to burst open. Like hello?? I have tulips sprouting too
@@michelleh4588 that’s terrible. Hope we don’t lose our trees and fruit. I think winter landed in Anchorage, AK as they’ve had a lot of snow and cold. Read on Accuweather the cold may shift now to CN. We need water of some kind. Severe drought.
I have done winter sowing for the past three years with hit or miss success. I am in zone 5b (or 6A now??) near Chicago. Believe it or not my big success last year were TOMATOES AND PEPPERS! I started them in the milk jugs the very beginning of April. We can usually plant just after Mother’s Day and I had so many seedlings that I gave a bunch away. I thought they were almost too small to plant but I had nothing to lose so I did. The plants did so well! They were huge and I got a great harvest of jalepenos, sweet peppers, banana peppers, cherry tomatoes and a couple varieties of heirloom tomatoes. Don’t be afraid to try!
Im in your area, no luck with perennials?
A big problem with perennials is letting the soil dry out.
@@robinbeck8422 I have tried to winter sow echinacea every year and it never works for me. That’s the only perennial I have tried. I have had great success with herbs, onions, broccoli, lettuce, spinach and kale.
When do you plant? I think I am now 5b.
@@jeanniedavison9337 our last frost date is usually at the end of April, but in our area you never know. People usually use Mother’s Day as the safe time to plant tender plants. I watch the forecast and play it by ear.
Hi Laura! If you'd really like to label your jugs on top, may I suggest this method to you; I use to work in a library and had to do this often when stamping books. Write directly on top of the jug wherever you wish and then cover the writing with clear tape. The tape protects the writing. I use this same method when labeling food dishes and utensils that I'd bring to family/friend holidays or gatherings. Works like a charm! Happy gardening!
Who doesn’t love a librarian 😊
@@cynthiag3065 💞
This is going to be my first time to ever try and start plants by seed. I bought my first ones from Andrew seeds❤ Please say a prayer for me that I get some plants out of this. So excited and so scared.
May I just add, that there are some pens that I have found that work MUCH better than sharpies, they are called IdentiPens. They are harder to find, I had to order mine on the internet. But they don't wash off, and they are still readable at the end of the grow season. Just a random FYI
You can also write it on the bottom
Thanks for sharing this wonderful technique with others. I love Winter Sowing!
Two things I would like to share as a 4-year winter sower: I start all my seeds this way, including warm weather things. I just wait until early spring to do those things. My first year, I was skeptical about starting tomatoes, but then thought about all those volunteer tomatoes that pop up in all our gardens. The seeds have been out in all the winter weather, temp changes, etc. without any protection at all, but they still germinated when the conditions were right. And my tomato plants are so strong and healthy! I don't want people to think they absolutely can't use it for warm weather crops and miss out.
Secondly, I figured out last year that if I placed the "hinge" on my jug opposite the handle, the top part stayed open better when planting and when transplanting. The weight of the handle helped to keep the top more open. While I wish I had figured that out sooner, at least it finally clicked, and we are constantly learning, aren't we?
OMG it's happening guys, we are planting things again in anticipation of Spring! It feels like we just ended the growing season. Wasn't Laura just planting things outside a month ago? So exciting :)
You’ve motivated me once again! 😊 One thing I came up with to keep my marker from fading from sun and weather exposure is to create a flap using a piece of duct tape folded over on itself leaving a strip of sticky part to adhere to the jug… kind of like a duct tape like post-it stuck over the plant name. It has kept my label from fading. A mini visor so to speak lol. Thanks again for all you do to inspire all dirt digging devotees like myself.
Buy a "garden marker" they don't fade or wash off!
I've had really good luck with a plain old pencil!
You were the one who introduced me to winter sowing a few years ago and I’ve had success with it every year! However, I do believe this is your best video yet with instructions on how to do it! Last year I grew yarrow and tomatoes! Please keep us posted throughout the winter as to how they are doing and especially when they germinate, when to take the domes off etc.
I do hope Samantha is recovering well from her illness. ❤
Will you also be showing how you handle them when the time comes to plant them out? And progress reports on how they are doing afterward? I've not seen it be taken that far by anyone and I would love it if you could when the time comes. Thank you, as always, for a very informative video. I'm excited to try this year.
Depends on how dense the seedlings are and how many you want, as well as how much you want the seedlings. I’ve heard of people individually separating out over 50 Cardinal flower seedlings from one bin. Some people utilize a “hunk of seedlings” method where you take a small chunk and just plant it, and allow the strong to survive. A fork can be useful to get them out too.
Hints from northern west Michigan, zone 5/6: I am now using Tidy Cat litter containers as they are a little sturdier in our winter weather, as well as for reusing. Also, I put the containers in several kids’ plastic sleds or my Sno-Sled, which makes it easy to move them (if needed) as well as to add water from the bottom.
Great idea!!!
I have quite a few of these that have been hanging around a while. Cool! I live in the Texas panhandle. It's really windy and then weather is never "normal" here (whatever that is!😂).
We use the free and clear type, too, so that smell isn't in them.
I'm in Grand Rapids. I need to start doing this with the milk containers.
@@kimberlyheibel8759 , I’m in Northport, 30 miles north of Traverse City, and grow about 20 variety of zinnia this way, I found I get an earlier bloom time. I’m going to try more “cool flower” seeds, too.
We don’t buy the clear tidy cat box, so I can’t use that, however, last year I did take my kids sled and put I think it was 86 toilet paper rolls in there, filled those with dirt and then covered the sled and the filled/seeded rolls with cellophane…they turned out beautiful! Good luck in your gardening adventures!
@@barbaramccann7944where to find all those different zinnias? I LOVE ZINNIAS too and would love to plant them ALL!😂😂
I've been winter sowing forever and I write the name of the variety on the top of the jug in garden marker, then cover this with wide, clear packing tape. It protects it from wearing off.
Great suggestion!
Mine doesn't wear off, the sun bleaches it out until you can't read it.
Great idea. I started using a Posca paint pen and it works great. Sold at Michael’s and Joann’s.
Smart creative solution! Oil based pen and aluminum tags are other solutions too; I’m trying the aluminum this year.
I like winter sowing, but last year tried doing it right into seed trays. Loved it even more! I used saved up flats and cell trays from previous years seedling buying, filled them with soil, planted each cell as you normally would, watered them all in, and then stacked the flats up in a protected spot. I unstacked them in the spring as they began to germinate. When they were ready to plant out, each seedling was in its own cell and so very easy to pop out and plant into my beds. It suited me.
This is very interesting and convenient! It seems closer to nature's way of reseeding. May I ask your growing zone?
I’m intrigued, but have questions: Do your flats allow for drainage? Do you place a dome over the top tray? Is your protected spot outside? Clever idea!
6b, southeastern PA@@rosemarythyme6351
You want a standard 1020 flat with an open web bottom. You can get matching plug trays to fit in them.
@@D.Sue5071
Outside under an evergreen, no dome, just another open flat weighed down with a brick.
Laura in the sping can you please do a follow up and show us the process of when to remove the tops and what you do.
No-one ever shows the end steps😢
She did 2 years ago. I just found it.
@@janettemassino9996 can you share it, the link please
ua-cam.com/video/5-BfrIyiUAY/v-deo.htmlsi=YBpZ4eEJPYBA3YjE
Hi Laura,
Basic gardener here 👋
No matter how many times I’ve watched the winter planting method in water bottle containers, with each passage of time, it seems to build my knowledge, courage and willingness to have a go.
This time I was thinking I hope she remembers the holes in the bottom - 🙌 which means I learnt something last time. It is all making sense the more I watched, even though you explained it so well the first time.
I hope your little one is doing better now? 👧🏼
It’s pretty no nonsense. I’m very inexperienced and had great success my first year. Plus it’s kinda fun. You can always start small. All the best to ya
From Connecticut… I used only potting soil the first year and now I give the seeds a little middle layer of starting mix and a top layer of vermiculite too.
The seeds can get a start in the fluffy starting mix then grab the moisture out of potting soil with their beautiful roots right away.
Vermiculite keeps the green mold from taking over. Big functional helps from each of the three important layers.
Winter sowing is SO helpful for native wildflower seeds, most of which require this type of treatment to germinate. I do this for seeds I've collected from my native prairie.
I finally gave winter sowing a go last year. It was a total success. I am in Zone 5b, Northwest suburbs of Chicago. I successfully winter sowed lettuce, broccoli, calendula, COSMOS, marigolds, cilantro, nasturtium, alyssum, and snapdragons. I had my doubts, but I'll be doing this every year from now on. I will say, surprisingly, my lavender and beebalm did not germinate. Maybe it was my seeds?
Laura, my friend, the smartest hort. lady in our county, I think I remember her starting her listiantis in December. She owned a Mom-&-pop Nursery. I think I also think I remember her saying she started her listiantis in the dark initially.
I had a rough 2023 with a lot of family health issues and becoming a temporary caregiver. I become less focused on my gardening and even watching Garden Answer. Well it’s a new year and now I have tons of videos to binge and catch up on! Thank you for all you do and inspiring all of us to get our hands dirty!
This was your most thorough winter sowing video yet. I started this process after watching you 5 years ago. My empty water jugs are piling up in the garage, so I should start some later this week. Last year, I kind of overdid it and planted 57 jugs, and it's hard to find time to plant them all with the other seedlings that I grow under lights. Thanks for this winter sowing refresher!
That’s MY problem too! I get so excited to start the seeds, overdo it, and somewhere along the line I run out of time to plant! Why would I learn my lesson the first three times!?
One honorable mention about winter sowing is cost savings! So much less expensive than buying perennials as plant especially if you have a large area to fill! And, it satisfies the need to get your hands in the soil when we are all past the holidays and cheering on Spring’s return. 😊
I use the cap as a marker inside the jug then when I plant into garden place the cap as a marker near seedlings.
Here in zone 9b, I simply use 10' x 20' black seedling trays/flats poked with a few drain holes and filled with potting soil. I sow into directly into them, then put the humidity dome in place. I tape the domes on so wind won't carry them off, a few holes in the dome, and presto, what I already had to use with my indoor grow light set up, now works for hundreds of seedlings outdoors. All my hardy annuals, perennials, and frost tolerant anything are now grown this way, giving me all that much more shelf space under the lights inside. I've also learned that my seeds germinate just fine in potting soil, inside or out, so never use seedling potting mix anymore. Saves having to pot up my seedlings, as they are already in soil that I can simply fertilize and keep the seedlings growing. So much less work and expense.
Great post! Yes, it’s not necessary to do all this work and expense. It basically is creating a bunch of mini cold frames. I think location has a lot to do with how successful different containers can work. Some need more babysitting and with the crazy temp swings it can be trying.
I love to recycle and having them out where you can see them is essential. They are not unattractive....they are potential!!! How hopeful! Wonderful!
Did this last year with foxglove and salvia; it was a huge success. Can’t wait to see all those foxglove bloom this year; the salvia was a rock star in out hottest, driest summer on record.
Are you in Texas?
I have used a grease pencil for this marking and it doesn’t fade away in the sun. Might find it called a China marker or China grease pencil. Walmart, Home Depot, big box stores all have these.
I started gardening in 2020 and in 2021-2023 I started all my seeds via winter sowing. It’s so easy, it’s pretty fool proof and affordable! And I learned all about it from Laura. This year I have my first indoor seed starting set up including lights, heat mats, domes and seed starting calendar, again all thanks to Laura! So excited to start seeds both indoors and outdoors this year. I sure love winter sowing and Garden Answer! ❤
My first time winter sowing last year. Only 4 jugs and all were successful! I just cut over 40 plastic jugs yesterday and have a few more to do! Winter sowing shall commence. NW Indiana zone 5b-6
I truly appreciate you leaving the work sounds in. It helps me know what to expect if I do the same thing. Sometimes if something “doesn’t sound right” I think I’m doing it wrong. 😂
3:18 Russell is thinking “what ever the light touches…. is my kingdom.” He’s so cute!
Hey from Et. TN. I use my old black nursery pots and cover with clear shower caps from the $ Tree that I've poked holes in. Had decent success with them last year.
I've been winter sowing for yrs. Love it, I first learned from Trudy D on The internet in early 2000s. There is a huge fb page too, winter sowing. Your videos are so good on this, well, on everything you do ❤. I use duck tape on the bottom of the jug to label as a back up to the marker inside. I'm chomping at the bit to get my hands dirty. But alas, I must get xmas done. Thank you Laura🌻
This is a project even a beginner gardener can do-thanks for the info!
I have done winter sowing for the past 2 winters. I had no faith that it would work where I live because we have fairly harsh winters in Maine. but I was pleasantly surprised!! This gives me a little bit of gardening therapy when there is no gardening to be done! I've been trying to save up my jugs (if I can keep my husband from throwing them away!)
Hi When do you start in your zone?
I'm Zone 4B and am starting now. I could have started sooner but I've been away.@@mynewjourney6803
Why not prep and load one as soon as you get it empty or fill it to set out? Perhaps you can hide the jug under the sink?
Hi, I thought I answered this but my reply isn't showing up. Anyway, I could start in January but have been out of town a lot so I'm planning to start this weekend. I have 6 jugs saved up (yaaaa!)@@mynewjourney6803
That's a good idea to do one at a time. He doesn't bother them once they're on the deck.@@scarlethunder1761
Sew in your garden & then place the top of the milk jug on top. Then no transplanting. Just make sure the top is secured with a stake.
And this method works really well!
Good idea! Does it matter the zone you are in?
@@margies5906 I'm in zone 7b
The thing is you will have lots of seedlings in a milk jug size area. What I like about winter sowing is I can but some here and some there.
@@michellescountrygardens True, but when I did the method as the original post stated, I didn't put a lot of seeds on the ground. However, by late summer, I was able to do a little bit of thinning and transplanting, which was similar to what happens when I buy potted perennials in the spring.
I did this a few years ago and it worked great!21 out of 23 did very well. Also labeled the jugs inside and numbered them outside then wrote down in a tablet what they were.
This is my 4th year using winter sowing for seed starting. I have ferrets that would destroy any seed starting in my home. Some things that I have learned over the past few years are 1. patience is the key and the hardest part of winter sowing. 2. seedlings will be smaller than those that are started indoors but will take off once planted out and catch up or surpass those started indoors. 3. Plant the seedlings out while they are small. This will give their roots a better chance to get established. I have WS heat loving plants such as tomatoes, peppers, green beans, and watermelons successfully. I put plant tags in the containers and I label the outside of very jug with a number and record that number in my garden journal with the type of seeds sowed. I can refer back to the journal in case the tags wear off. I use a sharpie and have not had a problem with things wearing off. Here in CO we usually have pretty dry and windy winters so I do have to water more often than most.
Winter sowing is the only method I use because I dont have space for seed trays, and its so easy! The only thing I do differently than you is, instead of 1 long strip of tape around the jug, I do a vertical strip on each side of the jug. Where I live in the late winter/early spring, it can get up to the mid 60s during the day then back down to the 30s at night. This makes it easier to open the jug during the day & close it back up securely at night.
A couple things that are helpful are punching holes in the top of the jug too and southern sun exposure. I have wintersowed 2 winters now, this is my third. Last year, I think really helped with germination was putting my jugs on in the backyard with southern sun exposure and against the brick exterior of my home. There was no wind exposure to dry them out too fast as well. The extra sunlight and radiate heat really helped. The previous year, I had them on west side of the house and it seemed to take forever to get going. I had some many seedlings, I had some to give away.
It is easier to leave the top on to give some pressure when putting in drain holes. I’m impressed how easily you cut a straight line. This is the only way I have gotten larkspur to grow. The hardest part is not forgetting about them in the spring. Has anybody ever used them as a cloche and planted in the soil with the jug on top? Would t have to transplant that way. Just wondering.
I tried kale last year and it worked
I have had larkspur sprout with WS, they are such a tender little start so last year I tried the method of sowing on top of the snow, they came up well! Much easier. They bloomed in June and July
Yes, Luke at MI Gardener has a video I think last year where he planted in the raised bed and covered with a tote covering them.
What a surprise to wake up to this. I just did all mine the night before your video.
I use a hot screwdriver to poke holes (sooooo fast!) Then I make a slit in the milk jug to get scissors through (cuts in no time, and more evenly in fact. )
I also put a piece of clear tap over the writing. Saves on using my labels (always running out!)
With winter sowing, I'm always on the fence, but I always end up doing it! What can I say, I'm a sucker! 🤷♀️
I was so excited to see this video today. It reminded me that I need to ask my class parents to save jugs so my class can do our winter sowing, so we have plants to plant in our school garden this spring. The kids are so amazed by this process. They can't believe that we can pant seeds and put them out in the snow. You should see their faces when we open them up in the spring and there are plants growing.
Thanks Laura this is very helpful, I usually write the date on there too.
Good morning all have a safe and blessed day ❤️
Few additional tips:
- additional WS benefits are protection from animals & wind, as well as controlled (more dependable) moisture.
- I prefer aluminum labels although many use oil based pens as well.
- Promix is probably the most popular “soil” in the WS community although many potting soils are used.
- Some folks use coffee filters on the bottom to reduce soil loss.
- You can winter sow nearly anything as long as it’s not a tropical plant.
I've never started seeds this way. This may be the year I try it. Thanks Laura
It will never cease to amaze me those teeny tiny seed grow those beautiful flowers. GOD'S creation wonderful.
Yay! I MUST plant!!! I've got a planting itch! Anyone else?
I place ours on the deck. Great light and moisture chances, but they do get blown around. Then I started zip tying the individual handles to the individual deck balusters. Problem solved.
I haven't read all the comments, but I do have a suggestion. Prep your clean bottle when you finish with it. Then you're ready to go for winter sowing.
I’m growing the blue grama grass seeds you showed and it sprouted beautifully! There are sooooo many seeds in the packet, and you sow about 20 seeds per cell. They came up super quick and they are growing beautifully under a grow light in my garage right now. Can’t wait to use them along my driveway, I have purple Loropetalum there already and I think the blue grass will complement them nicely 😊
Hi there, where did you purchase the blonde ambition seeds? I would love to try growing from seed? Thank you!
@@lizmiller8084 they’re not labeled blonde ambition, they’re just blue grama grass and I got them from botanical interests. If you zoom in on her video you’ll see the packet. They were so easy, they’re up and growing really good. 🙂
We also start seeds in a similar fashion, need to do an update soon, thanks😊
Thanks for showing me something I can afford to do in my own garden. What a great idea.
I’m doing this ! We moved snd have 1 acre now. I have BIG plans for 2024
So happy to see your winter sowing video and thank you for encouraging us to try it each season. I must admit I didn't do too well last time but I'm gonna try, try again! I also have some of the same perennial seed...so here we go! 😊
This is a great way to start milkweed. I love how easy this is😊
Always inspiring!! I’ve had success with this, having saw this in your first video about it. Definitely will do the flowers this year like you have done, as we just finished a rock wall raised bed like you did for Monica. So exciting!!
I couldn't get the tape to stick last year, so I made some holes and tied them shut with twine. Worked.
Michigan agriculture extension had a winter sowing You Tube video that I thought was useful also. . .
One comment that might be useful to you-
They said if you check on your jugs and it doesn’t have condensation it probably needs water.
Thank you! Enjoy all your information ❤
Are you going to follow up with them this year? It would be very interesting to do a side-by-side comparison between winter sowing vs under lights (for those that have space inside)
I have 20 jugs going right now.
I use 1/2 gallon milk jugs. Have a small urban garden so i don't need lots of one plant. My trick is to have them on the back deck so it is easy for me to step out and spray them with water if they need it.
6b here was sucessful with phlox varieties last year.
I’ve rewatched all your past winter sowing videos and I’ve been waiting for this! So exciting!! My first year growing any type of seed!
You got this! ☺
Thank you for this video! My wheels and cogs are really spinning now. Happy New Year!
Good morning, Laura ☕️ I sowed Lupines up here in Boston using the same method and it worked brilliantly 👏🏻🙌🏻 This will be my project Saturday with a snow ❄️ storm coming Sunday. Have a Blessed Day 😊🐈🐈
I'll be doing the same thing during Sunday's snow storm up here in New Hampshire! 😊
Hi! I’m in southern NH. Did your lupine bloom that year, due to the cold season head start, or was it the following year? Also, was this the perennial old fashioned lupine instead of the Russell’s hybrid? Sorry to grill you on this 😀
@@karenharrisonbinetteI winter sowed lupines and it took them an entire year to bloom, but it was SO worth it!! I did the Russell hybrids seeds.
@@karenharrisonbinette Hi, no worries! Yes, they bloomed profusely! I planted 5 seeds per gallon jug and they all grew huge! I should’ve thinned them but, I just planted the whole thing as one plant and they all formed beautiful flowers and a ton of seed pods. Best wishes!
Thank you for sharing. I've never grown lupines or done any winter sowing. I'm in NY and was unsure when to even start winter sowing anything.
I have used winter sowing the past 3-4 years. I have a lot of successes and fewer fails here in my zone 8a (coastal nc). Nigella has never performed. No lupine for me. They germinated and grew well but our summer came in hit and fast. Never got a bloom. But I have tremendous luck with foxgloves, hollyhocks, larkspur, alyssum, and others. I did learn in previous years that they do better sown more thinly.
good evening everyone!
I started winter sowing seeds after watching your first WS video. Getting ready to start my second round of winter sowing. I’m in zone 9b and most of my first round have already sprouted. I use painters tape instead of duct tape which is easier to remove & less messy. I also label my jugs on the outside with just a number that corresponds to my WS spreadsheet. I also include a label inside with the seed details. Great video. Thanks for sharing this info again.
I just moved from sunny San Diego to cold Sweden and assumed my gardening days would not start for another months so you totally inspired me to get begin growing again.
I noticed you sprinkled the blue gramma seed around, versus planting it in a little grouping of seeds. How will you plant that out, or pot on. I have planted grass before and I always planted it in a grouping and it worked well. I have the exact same blue grama grass, so I was so excited to see you growing it.
I use a hot skewer or an old soldering iron to easily pop drain holes through plastic containers. A bread knife makes quick work of slicing through the jug. And Extreme Sharpie markers (not "industrial") are the ones to use to resist UV fading for at least a year or two. Groundhog's Day is my traditional day to start winter sowing. We often get a warm spell in January (where seeds could germinate) followed by extreme cold, so waiting until Feb. is better. Late start? Half-hardy annuals can be sowed through April in my zone 6.
Your cats are so cute! Douglas really needs a good loving. Do you ever just love on your kitties?
Tried my best last year. Followed so many directions closely…horrible germination on good, fresh seeds for my Snapdragons and Stock … wanted to get a jump start in zone 6b since our Springs or sooo short it gets hot so fast the flowers never last. Best germination I had was for nasturtiums and peas. Won’t be doing it again this year as I now have a new greenhouse and have a place to start seeds to get a quick start. I know loads of people have great luck…but not me.
The temperatures are swinging too much and didn’t work well last year in Z5a, WI either.
Plan on waiting to heat the GH and start all seeds in GH this year. Keep the mess outside. Many plants won’t grow until it’s time anyways.
A couple of years ago I followed Laura's instructions and winter sowed Swamp Milkweed... they did beautifully and I now have a nice patch for the butterflies!!!!
Beautiful winter start to spring! I love the perfect advance it brings to our short NW season. Much doing that even someone chair bound could easily participate in ❤.
Winter sowing is my go-to for all of my herbs, perennials, and most especially onions. So easy and no mess. Please attach a link for your mister/watering battle? Or better yet, add it to your store.❤😂
Always appreciate a learning video. You have tons of experience and new viewers daily so this is so nice for all of us. Learn something new each year. Thank you 😊
I have not had good luck with winter sowing. I have tried it for two years with little success. I will try again.🤞🏻
Can you do a follow up video in the spring of separating starts and planting them?
look at you, always working so hard, you are awesome.
I love it! I did it for the first time last year and my garden really took off. It’s great for folks without a lot of space or money.
Our flower patch owes ya a thank you after being introduced to this method 😊many thanks
Every year, after watching your winter sowing videos, i think I am going to try this.... and every year, I forget. 😊 Maybe this will be the year. I do save the caps off the jugs though (especially when they are different colors) to make snowman kits. Blue caps for the eyes, brown caps for mouth and buttons, orange for a nose, etc. Kind of a fun idea.⛄️
someone recently mentioned to me to use a cow tag marker for my tags so the paint wont leave.
Also, if you get a lot of rain, you need holes about an inch up each side as well for drainage.
Thanks so much! I've never done this type of planting and now I can't wait to start!💞
Dear Laura and Aaron, I’ve written before, and I’m sure this comment may never get to you because of the thousands you receive. But I have to reiterate how much I appreciate these videos and especially interacting with your family. I’ve learned so very much and can’t believe how much we think alike. Maybe that’s our Christianitylove you guys Barbara Turner
Hi, I believe that the comments help with making the videos to produce profit...how? I don't know, but heard it helps. So, I try to comment every time and push the like button too. It's fun to stroll through the comments occasionally, because you can get extra encouragement and tips😊
I did this last year for my tomatoes. When plants cost 6 to 10 bucks ,you go to seeds. When i planted my garden,i sowed seeds, okra squash, peas,butter beans, cucumbers, watermelon, peppers of all kinds,eggplants. I sowed directly in the ground,and everything grew really well. But tomatoes are really trying. So i did the milk jug thing. So while i waited on my seeds in the garden to come up,which they did in a matter of days,my young tomato plants were planted to the outside of my vegetable garden. Tho they were already on their way,tomatoes seem to take longer to produce ,so in a months time,everything was spot on. Its hard when everything comes in at one time,so i planted some more seeds in water jugs,so i would have tomatoes coming in later. It worked. When my first tomatoes were done,i had a second crop coming in. I learned from Laura to cut back on my squash take off the bottom leaves that have turned,and sure enough,energy was sent out and soon more blooms came. I inderstand she's doing cooler temp plants,but it works for starting your own plants for summer. I no longer buy garden plants, and this year,I'm doing seeds for flowers. I particularly loved the selene plant she had in containers by the hartly. She started them by seeds. It was pink and so delicate,so i ordered some seeds. I will transfer my seedlings to containers,and some just in the landscape. Doing more pink and burgundy colors this year. I have plenty of burgundy coral bells,so the selena i can tuck in close by. Gardening in the winter, loving it. Thanks Laura!
I may need to try this I'm sure my granddaughter would love it! She's a girl after my own heart and loves to garden and plant!
Just want to say I truly appreciate and thank you for the education that we get by watching 👁️👁️ you you do amazing beautiful job regardless good or bad the result you tell it thank you so very much 👍💗💞
My success story; I took all of my favorites tomatoes at the end of season growth. I put them in a blender, blended them, made a slurry…..and just poured them on the ground last spring where I wanted them to grow. No soil coverage or anything. I had the most amount of tomatoes, HUGE, than I have ever had last summer. 😂😂😂😂 oh and flowers? Just threw the seed out where I wanted them to grow. No raking, no edging, no questioning placement and my garden was incredible. Amazing!
If you created the tomato seed slurry at season end (Fall), but didn’t pour it onto the soil until the following Spring, what did you do with the slurry during the months in between? (Also trying to see connection to winter sowing. Or did you pour the seeds out in the late Fall, leave them to get claimed by the soil over the winter, then looked to see what came up in Spring?)
I bought a new garden sprayer from Harbor Freight for watering the jugs. Here in dry Kansas, I was watered a BUNCH during the process. It’s easy to use the long wand on the jug openings- don’t have to bend over much
That’s what I use also. So much easier when there are a lot of containers.
When Laura told us about soil holding water and making a ball I felt like I was watching Emily from snake discovery explaining incubator vermiculite 😅😅😅😅
Wonder which volunteers will be under this table in a few weeks😅😅😅😅😅
I’ve done winter sowing for several years here in zone9B and works great.
I've been doing this since I saw you talking about it years ago and it's been a huge success! We've been increasing how many milk jugs I use each year and we're going to use 12 milk jugs this year! Favorites have been lettuces, kale, and chamomile.
I've tried with 75% success. In a 1 bdrm apt and gardening on a balcony zone 9b. Space saving and to water a spray bottle or bottom watering. Hope these make it into the GA garden.
The plants do sometimes need humidity adjustment if you are in a sunny or windy area. I simply cut them open the first day, leaving them mostly shut, then the nextday I loosen and open them a bit more so they dont dry out instantly and get crunchy. Planting them out on a grey day helps too.
I can't remember if you have ever shown us the unveiling and planting of your winter sowing in the past. Will you be showing us your planting process of these after winter is over? Thank you!
Awesome way to recycle, get new plants, teach kids about gardening! I think I'll try to collect enough and set up a seed growing party at the local elementary school that does have a gardening program. THANK YOU for the inspiration.
When can we get update on jug seed sowing? This inspired me to do marigolds. Theu look great but I'm now wondering next steps! Thanks so much!!!
Laura, Thank you for this refresher course on winter sowing. I've actually had more success with winter sowing than seed starting trays. NW Florida Zone 9a
I’m in the new 8a zone. When do you put your jugs out so they don’t overheat?
Sorry zone 9a
@@nancyprovost1878 December, last year the plants were ready for my flower beds in mid February.
My fav containers for winter sowing are rotisserie chicken containers!! They have a perfect dome. The only issue I've ever had winter sowing is the plants being zapped in the heat when we have unnatural heat waves in March or April... I'm talking 85 degrees one day, back down to freezing the next. 85 is too hot!!
We had record heat in December and last January it rained in WI-Too Warm. The seeds will rot or germinate and freeze. If I do any they will need to be kept in the shade until closer to spring.
@@dustyflats3832 yeah I spent every morning uncovering them during the heatwaves, then covering to protect them at night and I still lost many seedlings to the heat. It makes it almost not worth the effort. Shade is absolutely necessary though, I agree!! I'm in central Illinois
@@michelleh4588 🤣I was covering them last January to keep the rain off and to shade them. That’s too funny, but not really because this weather is just whacked out. Another thing is Katie up in Hayward, WI ‘Mitza Creek Farms’ showed mums, tulips and wild honeysuckle shrubs sprouting-that’s Crazy! She didn’t know what to do and I said cover them.
@@dustyflats3832 yeah like where is the winter? Every tree near me is budded up. Even the magnolias look like they're ready to burst open. Like hello?? I have tulips sprouting too
@@michelleh4588 that’s terrible. Hope we don’t lose our trees and fruit. I think winter landed in Anchorage, AK as they’ve had a lot of snow and cold. Read on Accuweather the cold may shift now to CN. We need water of some kind. Severe drought.
And you can peak through the opening to check the sprouting! Fun project to do with kids
I get a ton of inspiring ideas just by watching your videos, Thanks for sharing!