I DS marigolds, zinnia, basil and dill. Too easy. I've not grown batchelor buttons or alyssum before, but have enough very cheap seeds that I plan to direct sow and get what I get. I'm okay sharing seeds with the birds. I'm WSing my nicotiana this year because I view it as a prize in limited supply. Same for certain zinnias I don't want to fail.

Bachelor buttons, marigolds and 4:00.

I DS poppies, bachelor buttons, dill, larkspur and nigella. They make a billion seeds, so I don't have to keep them safe in a container. Also, they sprout when the weather is cooler and wetter, so I seldom have to water them. I've had to water lately, though.

I've direct sowed poppies, gloriosa daisy, cleome, coreopsis, and crimson clover. I've got a pack of mixed zinnias I'll direct sow and some marigolds that will be sown after my tomatoes are in.

This is good to know. All I DS was poppies and Echnecia. I guess I can DS the rest of the Dill seeds and the Marigolds. I have lots of marigold seeds.

Karen

I direct sow and then put a clear plastic dome (with holes) over the seeds to keep the birds from eating them - it works!

carrie

Maybe when it warms up and I get to plant out a few 2ltrs I can use the dome idea for some direct sowing. Thanks for the info great thread.

Thanks for the info, everyone! I like the idea of the dome - Carrie, how do you attach that to make sure it doesn't blow away? I have some milk jug tops already removed from sprouted bottoms that I could use. Some of my beds are on a slope, and I'm thinking ds is not such a good idea there except for the bigger seeds. If we get a good rain, the little ones will wash down the hill! I've had such mixed results with ds in the past - which is of course why I'm excited about ws!

Oh, yes, I forgot about the domes! I have a few from Subway sandwich trays, they're great for that. I used a mat knife to cut vent holes in it, and then I plop a rock on it so it doesn't blow away.

For getting plants on a slope, I think WS will work much better that DS. Unless, like you mentioned, the seeds are large and can be planted somewhat deep.

VVesper,
All of them +
Cosmos
Morning Glory
Cilantro
Forget me not's
oh and lettuce!

Mary

My thoughts on direct sowing have certainly changed since discovering winter sowing. I still direct sow some but I consider the size of the seedlings...anything that starts out very tiny I don't like to DS because I'm afraid the weeds will outgrow them. I grow lots of sweet alyssum in jugs and plant them out as HOS because that is such an easy way to grow them and gives them a good start. But big seeds like zinnias are much easier to direct sow, especially since I like to do large areas of them. They are really easy to see when they come up.

Nigella, nasturtiums, castor bean, bachelor buttons, silene, cucumber, lettuce, are a few.

I found that alyssum and verbena self sow in my gardens so in the fall I take the dried foliage with seeds and shake it around areas where I want more of those two plants. I also ws alyssum as want some for containers.

I also use the 2L tops and milk jug tops as domes for some direct sown seeds. I just push the tops into the soil and haven't had any blown away. Imagine one could push a couple of wire staples through them into the soil to anchor them.

Occasionally I will use the 2L or milk jug top to cover tender annuals when they are first planted out.

Good to know. Marigolds have always gone gangbusters for me when I DS.

I sowed Gypsophila elegans this weekend.

So folks, how do you direct sow? Do you lightly loosen the top soil then scatter the seeds, and then finally lightly cover them back again with soil?

V1rtu0s1ty,
I just follow the seed packet directions.

I get lots of plants that reseed like weeds.
Nigella, Shasta Daisy, Globe Amaranth, Dianthus,
morning glory, marigolds, Four O'Clock's and
moss rose. I usually just pluck their little
sprouts and move them where I want them ,or rip
them out completely.

I always say you can never go wrong if you plant
zinnias. Lots of color easy. And they germinate
pretty quick. There are also so many varieties out
there now a days too.

Mary

Neil, it all depends. Marigolds get a light dusting of soil. Morning glories go down about 1/2". I don't want them sprouting too early. Butterfly bush I simply scattered. Same with alyssum and baby's breath. If I had leftovers from wintersowing, I tossed most of them into the same area of the garden. If they germinate, it's going to be a mess. If they don't, it's no big loss since I have lots of containers that are working great.

Poppies were sown in January/early February. I need to work on my throwing arm a little better.

{{gwi:365144}}

I've always ds'ed lettuce and spinach and carrots and so forth in the veggie garden - but it is a bit more level. Also, I protect the row of carrots with a board on top until they sprout. Keeps them moist. The alyssum I ds'ed a couple weeks ago is sprouting - thanks in part, no doubt, to DH misting his grass seed every evening and including my flower seeds! (Have to have him keep that up for the seeds I put out last night!) I roughed the soil a bit and then patted them down after scattering, for good contact. I will ds the four o'clocks and the remainder of the dill and marigold seeds. I already ws'ed some of them. I have huge new beds to fill this year and need to get busy with more planting out, too. Lots of snapdragons, BB, candytuft, cosmos, etc. that have their true leaves in the jugs. No frost forecast the next 10 days here, so we may be clear to go! Thanks for all the input!