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Canadian Winter Sowing

Can I join in?

i_heart_flowers

17 years ago

Here's my story. I usually just click on to the GW to look through the galleries and see all the pretty flowers!! Not that I was bored with that or anything, but I decided to have a look around....and I noticed the words, "Canadian Winter Sowing."

Winter Sowing??

Let's have a peek!!

I can't believe what I've been reading?? Is it true? Will it really work???

Now, keep in mind, I just staring reading this stuff the middle of last week, but I think I might have stumbled on to something here!! Do you mean to say I will not have to endure trays on every flat surface of my basement? No strange light displays? No skinny stems reaching for light?? No bugs in my house???? I'm sold!! So much so that I now have two empty 2 ltr bottles and one milk jug waiting in my garage for more company!!

Keep posting, I'll keep reading and learning! This is great!! I'm SO jazzed!! Putting seeds out in the snow!! Go figure!!!

P.S. When I was out today...I stopped and bought some ProMix...THE BIG BAG!! Don't want to get stuck empty handed come next year!!

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!!!!

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Comments (7)

cangrow
17 years ago
Yes, isn't it fabulous? My first year, I didn't find the site until January, and couldn't find soil, and had to beg all my friends to collect jugs so I could get started in time.

I will say the following knowing you are unlikely to heed the warnings, but at least I will feel I've tried.

1. You do not need 50 packages of seeds.
2. You do not need the Jumbo packs (do you know how long it takes to deadhead 100 sweet pea vines?)
2. You do not have to sow the entire seed packet.

Have a great time.
tiffy_z5_6_can
17 years ago
You are more than welcome to join us with that lovely enthusiasm!!

Winter sowing does work. It's fun and a great way to garden in the winter.

Again, a big welcome!
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Comments (9)
Welcome and glad you joined in the fun. I'm still learning myself. Before I discovered this, I figured out how to spring sow perennials outside. Most of those won't bloom until the following year, but it works. Just don't make the mistake in spring like I did of leaving the containers taped shut or covers on once an appreciable number of seeds have germinated. I set them in shade and moved them into almost full sun and misted once they germinated. I still have annuals to sow the end of this month or first week(s) of April.
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Welcome. Lots of sharing and caring on this site. The first year I dabbled, just a few containers. Would this really work? The second year I was convinced and sowed over 100 containers. Last winter I jumped in and sowed over 500 containers. The sowing is the easy part. Finding places to plant seedlings or people to share them with is harder. LOL, I still have some seedlings that are blooming in their containers. Most of this year's sowing are perennials and I tell everyone that this old lady needs to start all my perennials now because they often take three years to mature and I'm running out of time. It's hard work and exhausting but I love it all. My body sometimes says, not today. Then I get myself going, need to get some new beds made for all those sprouts. Wintersowing forum is active with people posting every day. Great to read about a surprise, see photos of beautiful plants, and share the joy and frustrations of gardening. Bobbie
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Comments (3)
This website offers them Here is a link that might be useful: Goodwin Creek Gardens
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Comments (29)
I just recently found this conversation - via the kitchen forum as well - and was immediately made to feel welcome. I jumped in on a thread about pets and figured this is where I belong and stayed. I still drop in on kitchens but like this spot. The nice thing about this forum is that it is very active and I don;t think a lot of people check it out. Kitchens has a conversation side that is not at all active. When I visit here, I come with my cup of coffee because it feels like I'm out for coffee at my local spot and lots of conversations are going on around me. I jump in where and when I want and, you're right gibby3000, they are very pertinent for our age group. Some of the threads are very funny, some are serious, and others are just idle chit-chat - just as a coffee conversation should be. Welcome.
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Crazy_Gardener
17 years ago
Welcome to Winter Sowing i_heart_flowers,
you'll be hooked in no time!

Sharon
i_heart_flowers
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the welcome...and the advice. (Note to self: stop collecting seeds!) Check! Well, maybe just a couple more......

Sharon, I was admiring your pics of the kale and cabbage. I grew this little one from seed this year. I'm happy to say I still have some seed so will be giving it a try next year.

Container count today: Pop bottles 6, milk jugs 4 and various other odds and ends - all shallow with nice lids!!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:541905}}
skraps
17 years ago
my kale didn't do that will this yr for some reason only have one that is good . Gave away about three flats Hope they were succesfull. Won't be growing them next yr . I'm hooked on winter sowing and don't have alot of time to grow things inside.
northerner_on
17 years ago
Welcome Heart: You'll be hooked in no time. I noticed no-one told you about the required reading: the FAQ on the Mother Forum called Winter Sowing, and the article that got me hooked by Trudi (you'll soon know who she is):
http://gardengal.net/page104.html
One little note, beware of 'shallow' containers. Make sure your containers can accommodate at least 3 inches of soil otherwise you'll be running yourself ragged watering when the spring comes, and you run the chance of having less than optimal root development. Another note: the members of these forums are a wonderful lot ... very helpful. Good luck!
i_heart_flowers
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks Northerner - better go measure those containers. I think they might just make it but we'll see - no point in taking up space in my collection box!!

Actually, I found Trudi right off the hop! Her article was one of the first things I read. I've been bouncing back and forth between the Canadian WS and the WS forums. It has become my nightly reading. What a wealth of information! Hopefully I'll be done by the time I'm ready to get started planting. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions for all you experts out there. And you're right - you all sound like a wonderful bunch - I'm looking forward to lots of feedback! Finally...someone to understand me! The family is already giving me the, "Now what is she doing" looks. Just wait - I'll show 'em!

Stay warm!!

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