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Putting Winter back into Winter Sowing!

16 years ago

This was before the last ten inches we got... About 85-90 or so inches now for the year. We still have a solid month and a half of snow season left here.

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The picture below shows snow near our windows, it is now almost on par with them. BTW if you can use your imagination... I have about 70 milk jugs hidden under the snow here =).

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The Apple tree is about 4 feet above the ground before it starts branching out... The snow now is above the first branch in this picture...

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My compost walk... 50 yards to snow blow... but NO WAY Im not composting, even in the middle of winter =P...

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Sigh... and some of you have sprouts..

Silverkelt

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Comments (8)

tiffy_z5_6_can
16 years ago
Silverkelt,

Beautiful! As your neighbour in Nova Scotia, we get the same weather systems, but in the middle of all these snowfalls this year ours has turned to rain so we have had more than our fair share of ice. I would much prefer what you have. Again, it's beautiful!
kqcrna
16 years ago
It is really beautiful.

I am happy to say that we have had little snow again this year. More rain, some freezing rain, and ice. Rain normally depresses me but after last summer's drought here, I'm pretty relieved to get anything wet falling from the sky.

Karen
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Comments (9)
This is turning into a very weird weather year for many of us. Because of that, it's hard to give you an absolute answer. Be aware that no matter what any of us tell you, it's nature that has the final answer in when those seeds will sprout. My best guess is that it's probably fine for perennials hardy to your area, and hardy annuals too. I'd definitely wait for anything tender. And if perennials and hardy annuals would sprout early, they have a much better chance of survival in their containers. And keeping them in a shady spot is definitely a good idea until spring is in the air. This is probably our coldest part of winter most years, and it's when I sow my hardy annuals and perennials. I sowed my first jugs a few days ago. I'd go for it if I were you. The chance that they'll sprout in shade is minimal I think, and winter might just stay mild this year. Karen
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My seedlings (started in jug) were frosted to stiffness in 28 degree weather the other night and they LIVED!!! Amazing! Now the temp is above freezing but we have frozen stuff falling out of the sky. I'm assuming everything will be fine. It's been very warm lately for a while and yesterday it was above 60 so I'll bet the soil is very warm and protecting the plants as it radiates heat. At least, I'm hoping. I know some things are not supposed to transplant well, but I'm wondering if transplanting small seedlings negates that. I don't know, this is my first time to wintersow. The roots of these small seedlings are all healthy but small. I wonder if that makes them amiable to trasplanting. It would be nice to hear somebody with knowledge of this chime in. My morning glories all had their true leaves and were 1-2 inches tall. They seem to be happy and growing well. They do germinate fast if nicked, so I would think direct sowing would be nice, as well. My first year to grow them, but the ones I nicked literally showed germination in 2 days in a jug.
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I did something very similar in 2003. Just around thanksgiving with our first snow, I broadcasted out the prairie seeds over a 60x15 prepared area. No mulch, no amendment and the blanket of snow was my protection from birds. Also by this time the mice/voles ect. are housed up for the winter. My seed (flowers/grasses) were individually ordered from reputable native seed suppliers...no walmart mixes just for the simple fact you usually can't find any that do not contain a few non-native noxious/invasive species...like Dames Rocket, Bachelor's Button and Baby's Breath for example; two of which are on our local monitor list and one which made it too the noxious weed list.
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I hadn't intended to actually sow on the solstice, but now that I've read this thread, I will definitely sow 4 containers. The solstice has always been celebrated in my culture, though I admit I have not been the best at carrying out those traditions since I became a mother. Life - Canterbury Bells - In the town I grew up in, the local church always rang the church bells when a wedding happened or when a baby was born in town. Bells symbolize the beginning of life to me. Mother Nature - Siberian Iris - I threw all my Siberian Iris and Blue Flag seed pods in one bag all mixed together. This will be the opportunity to see what survives! Remembrance - Moonbeam Coreopsis - This original plant came from my grandmothers house. She has since died and the house has been sold - so saving seed has been the only way I can get more of my grandmothers gardens. Faith - Luminaria - aka Money Plant. Though my family has not suffered through this multi-year recession, it has taught us that money is not as important to survival as once thought. You need to have faith in your own abilities. By growing luminaria, we will always have plenty of money!
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PVick
16 years ago
A winter wonderland! Beautiful ....
gardenluv
16 years ago
I don't even LIKE snow, and think that is a beautiful sight. Just think how well your jugs are being insulated, and kept nice and safe! All of the snow around here has melted (thank goodness), and it is killing me that I don't have any sprouts yet. Part of me wishes that I couldn't even see my jugs! It must be extremely bright outside when the sun is out!
lblack61
16 years ago
Looks like my house....
All the jugs I sowed two weeks ago are buried. The batch I WSed this week got shoved on top of a snow drift.
I am enjoying it though, the snow AND the Wsing. Much better having snow than not...it seems to insulate the air, too..the moisture keeps the air from being so cold.

Linda
irisgirl
16 years ago
Silver,
Thanks for the pretty snow pix...reminds me of the blizzard we had last year. Nothing comparable this year tho, thanks to La Nina. You're really gonna be busy when all that white stuff melts! cheers!
~Carol
dereks
16 years ago
What a beautiful place you live. We've had quite a bit of snow this winter also. I put a few containters out the first two weeks in January and haven't seen them since.
flwrs4ever
16 years ago
WOW, here in RI we have only seen one nice snowfall, and then a few flurries...

We have had over 5 inches of rain in the last 14 days tho..I am hoping the seeds will do well since we havent seen much snow...AND I see my bulbs are starting to sprout in the yard...

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