Go to the winter sowing forum you will get some ideas there

Linked the relevant forum below for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Winter Sowing Forum

I am sorry but did you read my post or just my title? What I am thinking of doing is just like what people in this forum do - start warm weather seeds early to be planted after last frost. I am just providing my heat with a different source.

Isn't winter sowing when you sow seeds outdoors in the ground before or during winter with seeds that are knoiwn to survive winter temperatures or in fact need them germination?

Isn't winter sowing when you sow seeds outdoors in the ground before or during winter with seeds that are knoiwn to survive winter temperatures or in fact need them germination?

No, not at all. ;) Yep, read your post and what you are describing is Winter Sowing which is why we both referred you there. Apologies if that was confusing.

Winter sowing is basically just as you described your plan, starting seeds outside in various containers of potting soil - trays or any container that can be covered. It isn't required in any way but many who WS do it in various forms of mini-greenhouses - just as you describe - which is why we referred you to that forum. The only difference is that you wouldn't necessarily need the heater and could save on that electricity if you wished - those heaters pull a ton of current.

The crucial difference in the 2 approaches to seed starting is doing it inside under lights vs. WS outside using natural light (your approach) so you might wish to review all the FAQ over on the Winter Sowing forum before ruling it out.;)

I am thinking of starting cosmos, snapdragons, fox glove and zinnias. All are excellent candidates for winter sowing and quite tolerant of the cooler temps and on any especially frigid nights you could use your heater if you wish or just toss a blanket over the greenhouse as most WS's do.

Dave

I guess the reason I was bothered by the first two posts was their shortness. There was no explanation as to why. Obviously I am not aware that what I am trying to do is in fact winter sowing. I had discussed WS wither others before (some in these forums) and it was described to me as sowing in late fall for spring germination - not at all what I am trying to do.

So a short explanation would have been very helpful. So that last posting was very helpful.

I post a lot in some programmin forums via google and there are many there who give short, snotty responses with the assumptiont that the poster should just know better. They really pi** me off. Sorry for bringing some of that disdain here.

I will check out the WS forum and FAQs.

thanks.
Tony

Tony, did your setup work or have you given it up? I have one of those greenhouses, too, and I've gotten a heating mat for it but it will only fit one flat of seeds. I'd like to heat the whole thing at night since it gets plenty warm during the day.

Sandy

Cosmos is a little tender, I believe, and many WSers wait until days are regularly on the warm side AND nights are in the mid 20's at least. Do also note, that except for the non tender perennials and annuials, like brassicas, lettuce, etc...it's advised by some to bring your tender seedlings into an unheated garage or other area that will stay above freezing on those nights expected to have heavy frosts. I have 90 or so WSewn containers, but haven't done the tender annuals yet...

So far I have three trays out there of various plants and nothing has sprouted yet but it has only been a little over a week for the oldest tray. The temp in the greenhouse has not gotten below about 23 since I started.

I have sowed Commos, snapdragons, rock soapwort, butterfly feed, foxgloves and maybe one more that I can't remember right now.

I plan on starting some annual vines in larger pots this weekend and getting them out there.

From what folks said over in the winter sowing forum no heater is needed and would be costly to run so I have not put the heater out there. So I started with plants that according to their lists are good winter sowers anyway.

I will start some of the more tender annuals in a couple weeks.

Tony

Snapdragons are very hardy. I wintersow mine, and they have germinating for weeks now. They stay outside, have been snowed on, have experienced very hard frosts yet they continue to grow nice and snug in their milk jug. I think they will work just fine with what you are thinking of doing. If you get a chance, you should check out the wintersowing forum. It is perfect for people who love to garden, yet don't have the room to start seeds indoors. Good luck with your project.

Tony,
The way I figure it, you were originally asking about putting a heater in your plastic thing because you were possibly interested in replicating a greenhouse. The winter sowing people generally use methods that roughly replicate a coldframe (but with the improvement of letting some precipitation cycle through).

Coldframes and such are awesome for starting things that need stratification, which I don't think applies to any of the seeds you listed (not sure about the rockwort offhand). And there's nothing wrong with using them for other stuff either--snapdragons, for one, like it cool. On the other hand, heated greenhouses and indoor light setups can give you more of a jump on many things, which may be a benefit when you're sowing many annuals and more tender things. I'm sort of sorry you didn't try out your experiment. I would have been curious to hear how it worked.

Some people from the winter sowing forum like to use their method exclusively. I think that in cold places like our state of Illinois, indoor lights and warm greenhouse environments are great tools. I do agree, however, that much of what you're sowing will be fine with either method, though I'm not sure I'd want zinnia seeds experiencing below-freezing soil temps.

In case you're still considering it, I'd be a little nervous about the space heater idea just for fire/safety reasons--those tented shelving units have been known to blow over--but I think it's a worthy experiment if you have the time and proximity to keep an eye on it.

Tony, Are you planting your seeds in individual covered containers? Or are you putting them in flats then into your mini greenhouse?

If doing the latter, you are not really winter sowing. Part of what makes winter sowing successful, I think, is the idea of a mini personal greenhouse, where the soil moisture within actually creates a high humidity within the container, evidenced by the beads of moisture visible on the container. I guess my concern for the larger greenhouse method, is the soil in the flats might dry out too much, thus causing your seeds to NOT germinate well.

Of course, here in Maine, I don't think I have anything germinating outside yet...least I hope I don't since nights are still in the teens here and many of my containers are still 2/3 buried in snow!

dirtdiver I really appreciated your post. It was far more thought out and considerate of my original post than the first few which I thought were dismissive.

The heater idea I don't think would cause a fire problem. The heater I was going to use is rather small and has a thermostat that I would set low so it would only run enough to keep the chill out. I suppose the plastic cover could melt if it is not placed well. As with most it also have a tip-over sensor that shuts if off if it is not upright.

As to zengeos questions I am sowing the seeds in trays and placing them - without covers - inside the mini-greenhouse. However it all was for naught!!!

Friday we came home and saw that the greenhouse was tiping over slightly - enought that I could correct it without a problem. Between the time we parked in the garage and walked inside the house it tipped over most of the way and half of each tray was dumped out - ARRRRRRGH!

So they are mostly all mixed up. I have the choice of emptying them all and starting over or trying to salvage some and refill and reseed the rest of the trays. Either way I will probably end up with some seedlings in places I didn't expect them.

Anyway I will consider the heater idea still and post again with what happens.

Gardenluv - how do you use the milk jugs? Thanks.

Maureen

Chliol,

-One gallon milk jugs, washed, holes punched in bottom for drainage

-On one side, at the base of the handle portion of the milk jug, begin cutting all the way around until you reach the other side but don't cut completely through. You want the jug to remain connected at the base of the handle. This creates a "hinged" container.

-Fill bottom with moistened, good quality potting soil.

-Add seeds

-Seal with duct tape

Put container outside with the milk cap off in a sunny location well exposed to rain and snowfall.

These containers are great for sowing just about any seed at any time of year really. But you should come on over to the winter sowing forum and check it out. Other people have different methods of cutting and resealing their milk jugs. The way I described is but one.

Sorry, didn't mean to take over the OP thread but couldn't resist answering the latest question posted by Chliol.

Shelva summed it up pretty good. Come check it out! Even if you doubt it will work (which it will), the pictures you see will definately peak your interest!