Ready to give WS another shot

lisa2004

14 years ago

I WS several years in a row with success. Then two years ago I had very bad luck. The only thing I can come up with is that maybe the dollar-store plastic containers somehow poisoned the soil. Anyway, I'm starting small but giving it another try.

I only ordered 5 varieties of seed. Before I get started I want to make sure that they are all ok for this method. I bought 3 types of sunflower, 2 of them are dwarf varieties. Monarda, which I'm sure is OK...Hyacinth bean (ruby moon) and zinnia. Thanks

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Comments (7)

gardenweed_z6a
14 years ago
The seed packs should show whether the seeds are annual or perennial. Perennials can be WS'd now while annuals should not be sowed until late March/April from what I've read on this forum. The FAQs probably also have a "When to Sow" guide and information. Good luck!
quilt_mommy
14 years ago
Hi there - I'm so sorry to hear about your bad experience with winter sowing. I would be so upset. I'm glad you're giving it another go. :)

I am in the same zone as you - the zinnias I learned the hard way to wait until March or even April. I'm sure monarda will be fine as you said, and I think the sunflowers should be fine. I did mine in Feb last year and they did well. Not sure if being dwarf effects them at all but I would try it anyway if it were me. The rule of thumb I always follow when seed shopping for plants to WS is if it is perennial in my area, easily reseeds in my area, or if it is a seed that needs nicking or cold stratification, then I can winter sow it. :)
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gardenluv
14 years ago
What kind of containers are you planning on using this year? Did you keep records of what you did yr 1, yr 2, and yr 3? I hope you have great success this year, and I know that everyone here will give you great advice. Good luck!
lisa2004
Original Author
14 years ago
This year I used those foil roasting pans with the clear, snap on lids. They are what I've had the most luck with in the past. No, I'm not organized enough for records. Half the time by spring I'm mad cause I don't know what's growing in which container! This year I'm trying an "industrial strength" Sharpie marker. I do have a pretty good memory, fortunately.
I will definately wait on the zinnia. The sunflowers are all annuals but I'm pretty sure I had good luck once before. Also, there's a restaurant down the street that has beautiful sunflowers every year. I asked the owner what they were, figuring he plants them, and he said he has no idea, they always pop up from the previous yrs seeds. Guess that's a good sign.
I'm glad to be back to winter sowing... it helps pass time during the cold weather! 5 degrees this morning!
gardenluv
14 years ago
I'm glad you are giving it another shot. I tried sunflowers one year in the end of Jan and the end of march. I got no germination from the ones I planted in Jan, but all the ones from March germinated. Don't know if that helps you at all. Welcome back!
lisa2004
Original Author
14 years ago
OH NO! Maybe I planted those sunflowers later in the season last time! So much for my good memory. Well, they are already planted and sitting out in the single digit temps for almost 24 hours. Guess there's nothing I can do now....OR could I move them to a chilly area of the house or shed so that they don't experience temps quite as low? UGGG
floodthelast
14 years ago
I had some sunflower sprouts before frost was done. They did ok through a few frosts though. My dwarfs germinated as well as the talls. My sprouts did still have tops to protect them when the frosts were coming. I this year I'm direct sowing them all to cut down on planting out time later so they all have to tough it out on their own under the snow.

Ready to give WS another shot

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Ready to give WS another shot

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gardenweed_z6a

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