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Canadian Winter Sowing

Where do you put your winter sown containers?

Crafty Gardener

12 years ago

I want to try some winter sowing of seeds this year. I'm wondering where is the best place to put the containers when they are ready for outside?

-on the ground in the garden?

-on a bench or picnic table or work bench?

-somewhere with snow cover (if we ever get any this year)?

-in a sunny spot?

or a combination of all or some of the above.

What has worked best for you?

Comments (3)

greylady_gardener
12 years ago
Hey craftygardener! So glad you are going to WS this year. I love it and I hope you will also.
Last year and this year I have elevated my containers. The first couple of years I put them on the ground and although it worked fine, I did a LOT of bending over when I was checking them. A picnic table, covered air conditioner, etc., would be fine.
I have a large bread tray (that you see used in stores), and I have it sitting across the arms of a lawn chair....one of those plastic adirondack styles.
I use 2L bottles, large vinegar jugs, water jugs, ice cream containers, etc. The chair sits under a small tree (an ivory silk lilac) which is planted about 11 or 12 feet from the house. The leaves fill out in the spring and give a bit of shade, but the containers still get some morning sun. Being under the tree, they do need to be watched for drying out when they have sprouted and it is getting warmer, as the leaves prevent the rain from hitting the containers.
Snow cover is good but not totally necessary...it is for moisture....this year we are getting lots of rain so they are moist! :)

I think if the containers were right up against the foundation of the house, they would be kept too warm and would sprout too early.

I group the sprouted containers together so that if we get a frost, it makes it easier to through a cover over them for protection. I have used an old sheet or blanket.

Best to get any perennials out first so they get some freezing and thawing to get the started. Next comes hardy annuals and then lastly the more tender annuals.

I hope you enjoy and have lots of success!! :)
Crafty Gardener
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for your reply.
I've only planted up a couple of pots right now and have them sitting on my workbench. I hope they aren't in too much sun. I used pots with 2L bottles on top. Hopefully I'll get some more done in the next week or so.
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I need to figure out something as well. My second year of W/S (last year) was dismal. I set my containers on the ground, but i guess i didn't see the sign that said "Slug-Village" and lost all but 4 (out of around 30) containers of poppies to last years batch of baby slugs. This year, I've started setting my trays in my fenced garden. Which is good for keeping my mutt off of them. But come spring, they will be sitting in mud. Stupid question. . . do you just shovel snow on-top of the tables you put your w/s'ing?
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marciaz3 Tropical 3 Northwestern Ontario
12 years ago
I use my workbench as well. They're in full sun there, and as the temperature warms up, i move them around the yard, or sometimes just under the table. Right now, they're nice and snug under the snow. :)

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