I've thought for a long time this should/could work. Why not try it with some seeds you have plenty of or can easily replace? In spring and summer, sometimes I cover those with a soda bottle but see no point for that in the dead of winter. I'd try some myself, but my beds aren't ready and need to be cleaned up or dug a little. The warmer weather is a welcome relief. I'm just worried if it warms up too high that some germinate then temps plunge again as they surely will. I suppose it's not likely unless it gets up to 65 or so. Later on, it probably won't matter as much, but if it happened now, it could spell disaster. I remember the ground had thawed so much in January a few years ago that I was digging out some old roses prepping that bed for spring. The daffodils even came up, but they had gotten weak (maybe overcrowding or soil depleted) so I potted some up and brought them in. A couple bloomed, but they were so weak they toppled over. I dug the rest of them out and am trying to recondition the soil. For all I know, it could even work better with some seeds than sowing in containers. Let us know if you try and get results. I'm thinking maybe columbines, violas and possibly rudbeckias among others. The ones that say direct sow in the spring, I will wait. But for any that can be direct sowed in your zone in the fall, it might work.

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.

I will try to answer a few of the questions. And add a few observations I made. I would suggest to anyone trying it to do a few to start with and experiment till you feel satisfied with what works for you. My goal is to find a way to avoid all the starting seeds indoors, potting up at least once then transplanting to the garden or even starting the typical winter sown way and having to transplant. The spring time is typically very busy for me. I usually end up behind and not getting everything done on time. I have spare time in the fall and early winter and would like to do as much of the work then as possible. My goal this year is to prepare all my holes for next year by Thanksgiving. Will put the additives I use manure ect in and let set all winter. Then the ones I want to direct sow I will put a bucket, wall O Water, ect over that hole and plant seeds. I just mixed a little starting mix in around some last year and on others used cowpots which decompose and put starting mix in the top. I didn't put anything in two holes and still got around 80% germination. How ever you do it. Make sure the soil where the seeds are is dry. And cover well. This is so that the seeds won't germinate if you get a warm spell during the winter. Then when you think the time is right wet where the seeds are and if you have plastic over the top make a slit. On the milk jugs I just put a small hole in the plastic top and later you can remove it. This makes mini greenhouses. I feel that with Wall O Waters a person could even get them started earlier. My direct sown plants had caught my transplants by early June this year. I will probably start around 20 this way and do another 20 the original way and then the rest transplants so I can have a good comparison of methods. I'm also going to basically an all mulch system where I won't roto till much if at all. Pull mulch back and it I feel I need to work any additives in I will turn over with a shovel or use a rake. This way I won't disturb the worms and other beneficial elements as much. Hope this gives you some idea of what I'm talking about. In the end I feel Trudi is right. The winter sowing makes for a better, healthier and more vigorous plant. And whether you use the original way, cold-hot frames or the direct sown you get this benefit. JMO. JD

I mentioned the "kiddie pool on the deck" idea today during an 8 hour drive back to Jersey from my niece's wedding in Pittsburgh. My sister laughed hysterically knowing we had to listen to the same old "I never get to use my deck" lament from my father who hasn't sat on his deck in years long before I ever started this gardening thing last year. I'm going for it...LOL. Now I just have to find a kiddie pool after our killing frost which was abundantly clear when I saw the mailbox garden as we rounded the corner. Heavenly Blue MG hydra, Zinnia, Aegeratum and Cleome are all goners for the year. First thing tomorrow that bed gets cleaned out although the thought of it being bare isn't acceptable...LOL. Gotta buy some ornamental kale seeds with my last seed order for this year (?) so I'm ready to sow them midsummer next year. Stores and nurseries around here want $3. per cabbage...no way, Jose. You're right about putting plastic sheeting down first to protect the wood. There are stains where I had saucers under containers but luckily my father is considering laying that plastic decking material cross wise right over the wood that's there now since his many attempts at using weather proof paint haven't been weather proof at all. I just keep agreeing about what a great idea that is! The Agway I found in this county is holding a case of germinating mix for me. I can't leave it outside or it'll be like cement for winter sowing but still haven't figured out where I'm going to stash it. Already hid recycled containers under the ancient ping pong table in the basement...no one looks under there but me.