skip to main content

Cottage Gardens

Winter sow seed swap seeds ?

16 years ago

Say that three times fast! I now have a bit of time to think about all my wonderful seeds I received in the seed swap from you all. (I did fondle the packets when I got them though and did the happy dance) Is it necessary to winter sow or do any of you great gardeners have good luck direct sowing? I don't have that much experience with seeds. Sometimes they grow, sometimes not. Of course those of you that are warm and toasty outside all year just garden all year. I sure want to have a bountiful garden from all these seeds. Sue

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

natvtxn
16 years ago
And would that also be by the sea shore? Could no resist.
I am willing to bet your great grandparents never heard of winter sowing.
If your swappies don't have the time listed for planting in your area, find a website that sales seeds and see if they have a planting guide listed. Maybe try winter sowing some and tossing some out where you will want them.
I tossed out larkspur poppies and nigelia seeds the day I took possion of this house, right before Halloween. The ones on the South side of the house are about 1/2 inch tall and the ones on the North are just starting to come up.
If MD is like TX you are just now getting the coldest weather yet. The seeds that need the cold to stratify them should do ok.
Now...if they don't do well you have my permission to come bop me on the head.
thinman
16 years ago
It's not necessary to winter sow, although the winter sowers do seem to love it. I second Kathy's idea that you can find out when to plant each type outside and just direct sow them if you like. Most seeds are pretty simple -- just plant them after your last frost. It has worked for me for many years. The winter sowers' plants will probably be ahead of yours, but not by a lot, I think.

ThinMan
Related Discussions
WANTED: Update Winter sowing seed swap
Q
Comments (2)
Hi Kym....wasn't involved in this one, but gonna help you with the links!!! Winter Sowing Seed Swap UPDATE
...See More
Winter Seed Sowing / Hardwood Cuttings
Q
Comments (1)
Hey cool! I attended the one last spring, and had a blast. One of hte fuchsias I got there ended up being a great one for the hummers. I'm not sure i have much seed to trade, but I have a few things i could take cuttings of. What natives are you planning on taking cuttings of? If I can come, i might be able to bring some Rosa gymnocarpa, Ribes sanguineum and R. lobbii... have to look at what else is doing well enough to trim. I also have some Salvia 'Hotlips' and a few other non-natives that might provide some cuttings.
...See More
Seed sowing and winter sowing
Q
Comments (3)
Carla, I do both direct sow and Winter Sow. I direct sow seeds if I have a huge collection of them. I Winter Sow those seeds that I don't have too many to waste in the rain or snow. I like Winter Sowing because of its ease and it does not require as much care and expense as indoor sowing. I also have a lot of success with it. I am able to grow a lot of seeds that I failed to grow indoors. Please check out the link below. It's still not too late to start. The seedlings are healthy and grow very fast and well. They cost a lot less than those seedlings from garden centers or nurseries. Have fun. Here is a link that might be useful: Winter Sowing FAQ
...See More
Winter Sowing Seed Exchange FAQs ~ My trader's seeds didn't arrive .
Q
Comments (0)
Occasionally trades go wrong, but that's very rare. If it happens you handle it in private emails with one or two letters (no public cussin' or "naming names" is allowed on the seed exchange). Eventually you get your seeds. If you don't then "so what".....it's just seeds...not sport cars or mortgages. It isn't worth getting aggravated over. Don't ever take a failed trade personally. More than likely the seeds got lost in the mail, a responsible trader will offer to replace them and send another set to you. Sometimes, sadly, a trade doesn't arrive because the trader on the other side may suddenly be having a brutal time with life and that awful distraction can be enough to drive a trade out of one's head....the responsibility of the trade could be insignificant to the agonizing matters at hand. So if you do ever have a trade that doesn't work out please be very-VERY kind to the other trader when you write that the seeds haven't arrived yet. Send one reminder email...wait a couple of weeks before sending another one if it's needed, then be just as kind as you were in the first one. After that DO NOT send another reminder. Just let it slide if the seeds never arrive. The vast majority of traders are extremely generous and in just a month of trading you'll have more seeds than you know what to do with.
...See More
shellva
16 years ago
Hi Cooper,

You don't have to winter sow anything. But we winter sowers become addicted because the method works beautifully! Winter sowing is great because your seeds don't wash away, blow away, get eaten by bugs and other critters, the seeds are easily identified and kept track of for the most part.

Direct sowing still has its moments though. Personally, I think larkspur actually does better direct sown. I also direct sow bachelor buttons,and nigella (love in a mist). My seeds from these plants have already germinated and are thriving despite the snow and dips into the teens that we have had. If any of these seeds are on your list, I'd go ahead and get them out there. They will germinate in their own good time and will survive any weather. From my understanding the seeds I just mentioned like to be sown in the fall anyway. So feel free to get them out as soon as you see bare ground.

Natvtxn has a great idea of looking up the seeds on the internet. Also a great idea to throw some out and maybe holding some back for winter sowing or regular under lights sowing or maybe try all 3 methods...whatever you want. Gardening is always a learning experience.
cooperbailey
Original Author
16 years ago
I am so sorry I didnt get back to this thread. RL got in the way. Thanks for all the info. And the pun. I think I will try all three. Thanks Sue

Related Stories

WINTER GARDENING Extend Your Growing Season With a Cold Frame in the Garden

By Paintbox Garden

If the sun's shining, it might be time to sow seeds under glass to transplant or harvest

CALIFORNIA GARDENING Southern California Gardener's November Checklist

By Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Sow wildflower seeds while ye may, give berries some love and pay attention to produce for garden veggies all winter long

0

CENTRAL PLAINS GARDENING Central Plains Gardener's January Checklist

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Sow your garden dreams while poring over seed and plant catalogs and maybe getting crafty in the shed

GARDENING GUIDES Texas Gardener's May Checklist

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Be especially water wise this month as you sow seeds, tend to your lawn and plant edibles, grasses and flowers

GARDENING GUIDES Your Garden Is Stirring — Here’s What to Do in February

By Susan Haynes

February is a good time to start seeds, shape up shrubs and watch for the earliest blooms. Here’s what to do in your part of the U.S. now

NORTHWEST GARDENING Pacific Northwest Gardener's February Checklist

Let witch hazel cast its spell, shut off your mason bees' snooze button and hit up the nursery for seeds and roses

GARDENING GUIDES Pacific Northwest Gardener: What to Do in July

By Genevieve Schmidt

Deadheading spent flowers, keeping up with watering and starting seeds indoors are the biggest gardening tasks for July

0

SOUTHWEST GARDENING Texas Gardener's December Checklist

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Northern neighbors may be hibernating, but in the South it's time to lavish care on fruit trees, flower seeds and bulbs

GARDENING GUIDES Southwest Gardener's February Checklist

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Orange you glad for a citrus-fertilizing reminder? And don't forget the recommended doses of vegetable seeds and cold-hardy flowers

FALL GARDENING Be Your Own Wildflower Nursery

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Gather seeds from your garden in fall, and you'll have a selection of plants for next year — without spending a dime

Sponsored

Landscape Management Group

28 Reviews

High Quality Landscaping Services in Columbus