TRYING OUT WINTER SOWING

I’ve had bad luck in the past starting perennials from seed indoors, so when I heard of the winter sowing method I thought I’d give it a shot. This method utilizes empty milk or water containers which create mini-greenhouses that you can leave outside in the winter to do their thing.

The seeds I’m starting are all native seeds from Prairie Moon Nursery. I like this company because they provide a ton of information about when to start each seed, as most of these particular seeds need a cold stratification period before they’ll germinate. I tried mimicking a multi-week cold period with Saponaria in the refrigerator last winter, but it was a no-go. Hopefully, these ones will like actually being outside a bit better. Prarie Moon also sent a packet of free seeds so that’s always a win in my book.

Materials needed are empty containers, soil, a razor blade, duct tape, and a furry helping hand.

Remove the caps of the containers and toss them - you won’t need them. Cut a few drainage holes into the base of the container. Cut a horizontal line across the middle of the container leaving an inch or so uncut by the handle, creating a hinge.

Fill ‘em up with a few inches of pre-moistened soil mix (just like you would with any other seedlings), plunk some seeds in, label ‘em, and you’re good to go! I’ve mostly seen these labeled with markers on the outside of the containers but that seems to wear off after a few weeks outside. I opted for putting a weatherproof label on the inside. Once they pass the final QC check from any furry friends, you can use duct tape to seal them up.

Voilà! Mini-greenhouses! Place them outside in a sunny area without the caps on. We should get enough rain or snowmelt in the next few months that I shouldn’t have to worry about hand-watering these, but I’ll check in on them every week or two.

Fingers crossed this works because this could be a game-changer for starting perennials! Also, here is a link to one of Garden Answer’s videos about this if you’re more of a video person. I initially learned about this from her and she’s had good success over the last few years with this method.