Hello,
Welcome to the WS forum. I would like to suggest that you read the FAQ here. You'll all the answers you need regardding Winter Sowing.
Have fun.
When you still have questions, come back here. Everyone will be happy to give you the answers. :-)

Why are you planning to sow seeds indoors now? You should start them outdoors now to get a head start. They will sprout much better outdoors. We call that summer sowing. Check out bakemom's thread on summer sowing.

You don't need a cold frame to winter sow, all you need are throw-away plastic containers with clear or translucent lids. Or, you can buy storage bins with translucent lids, i.e., Sterilite-type bins, and sow in regular pots or in cups that you then put in those, as long as you follow the winter sowing recommendation of putting transpiration holes in the tops and sides.

I've done winter sowing in peat pots, but I've decided I don't like them. They tend to become a slimy mess and fall apart. I like to bottom water my seedlings, and that doesn't work as well with peat pots, because the pot absorbs the water before the soil.

Definitely read the FAQs. They'll help a lot. The seeds you mentioned can all be winter sown.

Here is a link that might be useful: Summer sowing thread

Thank you both. The only reason I'm indoor sowing now is because of all the rain we are having. I started around 150 seeds of different kinds of perennials outside in June but there was too much rain and none germinated (nada, nothing, just dirt). I'll put the ones I started inside outside once they have a chance of surviving these downpours. They are doing very well indoors. Thanks again. I'll check out both FAQs.

The reason the rain washed away your seeds is very likely the lack of overhead protection. Please read the FAQ on how to prepare sowing containers then read the summer sowing thread above.

The original idea here is recycling. So people's favorite containers are milk jugs and other recycled containers that are at least 3" deep. I don't want to spend on containers. I would rather save the money for seeds or other gardening wants. My favorite containers are pastry/cake containers turned upside down, deep vegetable/salad containers and 2 liter bottles.

Good luck.

I've always considered the term "overwintering" to refer to bringing an existing plant indoors that might not otherwise survive the winters. I did this in the winter of 08/09 with several seedlings I had wintersowed the year before - they were not, IMO, big enough to plant out and survive (plus I was moving and wanted to take them with me). I brought them into my basement and kept them under lights for the winter, then hardened them off (bringing them outdoors for gradually increased intervals of time as weather warms up) and brought them with me. Lots of people overwinter things like annual geraniums (pelargoniums), peppers, and citrus plants.

Winter sowing is the process of sowing seeds outdoors in covered containers in winter (that's an oversimplification; as others have said, the FAQs have more details).

Hope that helps!

I agree with drippy - that's how I always thought of overwintering. Bringing an already germinated seedling or plant indoors. I've been overwintering some of the same plants for a few years, most notably an evening jasmine that won't survive outside.

Not that I'm very good at overwintering. Lots of my stuff dies, lol. That's one reason why I also winter-sow!

:)
Dee

Dee, We must be from the same family. Actually surprised I overwintered a Tropical Milkweed this past winter. :O) I winter sowed quite a few more this year to see if I can do it again this coming winter and get many more plants going.

Hey, Z!
I saw you on another forum recently, but glad you found this one; I think you'll find it a very rewarding forum for you. I'm just north of you in NH, and I hear you about the rain! Do try the winter-sowing method if you want to start some of your perennials now; someone already provided a link to the summer sowing thread. The method is the same; in the summer it's all about 'location, location, location' with your containers.
I just put out some milk jugs of cosmos the other day. I've never had issues with putting them in the sun, and take the tops off right away when they sprout, but in the warmer zones, and perhaps where you are in MA, putting them in the shade is a must when you're doing this in the summer.

Yeah, the 'over-wintering' thing generally does refer to bringing a tender plant into warmer areas in the winter. I 'over-winter' a bed of coleus so I don't have to buy them again every year. I've dedicated a south-facing spare room to over-wintered coleus, much to the dismay of the DH.
Anyway, I'm sorta rambling, but glad you found the forum!

Tiff, I always WS more of an overwintered plant because I think it will never make it, and so I usually end up with more. It always seems to be the year that I say to myself, okay, this plant made it through for two years just fine, you don't need to sow any more"... and so I don't and then it dies!

I'm actually very proud of my jasmine, although it is pretty puny, lol. I think I will repot it this year and try to baby it to get it going again. This wet spring we had didn't do much for it, and if it doesn't perk up, it won't make it through next winter. Now the pressure's on, lol - about 5 or 6 years running and overwintered successfully, so I'm getting nervous, lol!

:)
Dee

Thanks to all who replied to my question. I read both the WS FAQs and SS thread. I honestly never thought I had to cover anything I planted outside when the weather was nice - just let Mother Nature do her job. Now, I'll put the stuff I had inside, outside with a cover. I especially liked the FAQ "Poster Suggestions for Flats from Recycleables" and also, the suggestions posted to this thread regarding containers. I needed to know what to start saving now in order to WS as economically and environmentally as possible. What wonderfully invented ideas people had. I had asked about coffee cans a few months back but did not get a resounding "Good Idea" so I guess I'll put those in the cycle bin and stick to the more widely used plastics that light can get through. Great to hear from my New England and Canadian neighbors - we can all commiserate together about all this rain (what was THAT last night?). Also, thanks to all for the "Welcomes" to the forum. I appreciate your time and thoughtfullness in helping me out. I'm sure I'll you'll be hearing from me again with more stupid questions!

Zahzeen

Oh no, Zahzeen!! Absolutely no stupid Qs on this forum. So much to learn and so many questions. I'm still learning every day after gardening for quite a few years. :O)

Make sure those covered containers don't get direct sun. Don't want those seedlings to roast, OK? I keep mine under the deck until they germinate then take the covers off immediately after germination keeping an eye on the moisture in the soil. I pass by this area every time I go in and out of the house so I never forget them and can keep a close eye on things.

Welcome!!

Milk jugs- preferably gallon size- are my favorite containers, though I do use some 1/2 gallon ones. Next favorite- 2 liter pop bottles. Shoot for 3 inches of potting mix.

Karen

You will find which containers work best for you by trying some of everything. I was a newbie this past winter and tried them all. Now I have settled on two containers that work best for me and are JUST THE RIGHT SIZE! Each gardener has different needs as far as the containers go so don't be afraid to try lots of styles. Also, one big tip that I'm sure no newbie listens to is: Don't worry so much about any of it. It really does take care of itself! Best of luck.

Thanks again everyone. Stillwelljill, you hit the nail on the head when you said: "Also, one big tip that I'm sure no newbie listens to is: Don't worry so much about any of it. It really does take care of itself! " This whole WS idea does require a leap of faith. I can't imagine leaving seeds in covered containers in January/February/March under all that snow and thinking they have any chance of surviving let alone grow into a flower/vegetable. You guys have been a really big help so far (and right) and if you say so about WS - I BELIEVE!