skip to main content

Great Lakes Gardening

How early do you dare to start?

19 years ago

I had planned to winter sow, but never got around to doing it. I have some clear containers that I had saved, and I was wondering if I could use them as a sort of green house over seeds. I am just not sure how early I can do this safely. I hope I have explained myself ok.

Chey

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

MqtKen
19 years ago
Next week I am planting my seeds indoors. The first week of April I will be planting outside with Wall-o-Waters.
cheyjohn_z5
Original Author
19 years ago
I have never had good luck starting seeds indoors. Also, I don't really have the room inside to do it since we moved into this smaller house. That's why I am thinking I may just start outdoors but protect with my clear containers (greenhouse effect?) I was just wondering how early has anyone dared to do it this way. I will check into the WOW though. Thanks for mentioning it! :)

Chey
Related Discussions
How early do YOU rise?
Q
Comments (4)
You rise with the sun and get busy. Animals eat before you do. The sad truth is that most small farms have to be on life support from an outside job. I know a couple of small family farms that support themselves but it's 16 hour days, minimum, 7 days a week. The only thing I would never keep as a hobby farm is a dairy cow. But that's just my personal prejudice ...
...See More
how early do I start?
Q
Comments (5)
Most winter sowers start sowing in winter, as the name suggests. I start after Christmas, when things are settled, when I have time to go through catalogues, and exchange seeds. I take it slowly and do a few containers at a time. Don't worry about being able to get to them in the winter because nothing starts to happen until spring. I live in a heavy snow climate and during the deep winter I can hardly locate my containers. It is in spring, after the thaw, and if your containers are in full sun that you need to have a look. You may need to remove the covers if there are sprouts, and you may even need to mist them a little. My containers are in shade until spring when I remove the covers. Keep records of what you sow, and when they sprout because it is different for everyone and you'll know what to expect in future years, what worked and what did not. There is also spring sowing for some of the hardy annuals (in my zone) and that is also trial and error. I have never grown Sweet Cicely but google it and maybe have a trial: some winter sown, some indoors under lights, and some direct sown. Make it an adventure, and enjoy it. Good luck.
...See More
How early do you start seed?
Q
Comments (19)
Not sure where you are in Florida, but I am in Cocoa (East Central Coast) and I am lazy...too lazy to start seedlings in pots and then be expected to water the little pots enuf...I just sow directly into large pots on the patio (...I am exclusively a container gardener...just put a few Southern Star seeds in a pot a few days ago...the Cherokee Purples have just started to turn color (YEAH) and have done fine through the cold snaps, if you can call them that, over the past few weeks. I have a few sheets I wrap the pots with if I think there will be a frost...that works for me. Here is a link that might be useful: Cherokee Purple Tomato in Large Pot...December 24th or so...
...See More
What do you do if you start your tomato seedlings inside too early?
Q
Comments (13)
Rooting a cutting is a good way to go or.......just plant your large plant very deeply. Either straight down if the soil has warmed up for the season or lay the tomato plant sideways in a small shallow trench and cover with your garden soil. Roots will form all along the stem underground and give you a larger root system to support the plant better. I ALWAYS start tomatoes early and plant them deep. I have multiple light indoors to support their needs before I bring them outside though.
...See More
pitimpinai
19 years ago
Please check out the Winter Sowing forum and the following article.

http://www.nj.com/enter/index.ssf?/living/ledger/index.ssf%3f/base/living-0/110862120870240.xml

A lot of people have been having a great time sowing in plastic containers (milk jugs, pop bottles, plastic bags, etc.) and setting them outdoors since Christmas. These people swear by the method.

I found out about this winter sowing 4 weeks ago and have been converted.

Try it. It's fun. :-)
cheyjohn_z5
Original Author
19 years ago
I was so afraid it was too late to try it. Thanks for the link. I will check it out. Now to get all my clear covers together. :)

Chey
cheyjohn_z5
Original Author
19 years ago
Hmmm, I wonder if it matters that I want to plant right into the ground and cover with the clear containers..... I'll have to find time today to read those links you suggested.

Chey
MqtKen
19 years ago
If I planted outside over Christmas, I'd have about 6' of snow on top of them. =)

Man I love living in the snow capital.
pitimpinai
19 years ago
According to the people who winter sow, 6' of snow will not be detrimental to the seeds sown with the method. I sowed mine and they were buried last month under 3' of snow.

I urge you to check out the Winter Sowing forum, really. It was an eye opener for me. :-)
deerfieldponder
19 years ago
I am winter sowing.
But I have started Anemone, Wild Blue Indigo, Alpine Strawberry, Kentuckey Wisteria inside under lights this week. I am hoping they take awhile to germinate as advertised.
Cheers, Matt.
deerfieldponder
19 years ago
I am winter sowing.
But I have started Anemone, Wild Blue Indigo, Alpine Strawberry, Kentuckey Wisteria inside under lights this week. I am hoping they take awhile to germinate as advertised.
Cheers, Matt.

Related Stories

HOLIDAYS 5 DIY Holiday Gifts to Start Early

By Vanessa Brunner

Handmade gifts for the home can be the most meaningful of all, but a rushed DIY project can bring on stress and mistakes

FUN HOUZZ Do You Dare Bring Home Some Liberace Razzle-Dazzle?

By Becky Harris

A new HBO movie highlights the ultimate showman's over-the-top bling all around the house

NEUTRAL COLORS Dare to Choose a More Colorful Neutral

Understanding Shades of Hue Helps You Go Beyond Gray, White and Beige

ARCHITECTURE See the Daring Experimentalist Who Won 2013's Pritzker Prize

Architecture's highest honor goes to someone with a diverse and complex body of work and a never-satisfied mind-set

HOUZZ TV FAVORITES Houzz TV: See How Early Settlers Lived in This Restored Pilgrim House

Passionate restoration and preservation efforts give a 1665 home an honored place in the present

FUN HOUZZ 14 Things You Need to Start Doing Now for Your Spouse’s Sake

By Mitchell Parker

You have no idea how annoying your habits at home can be. We’re here to tell you

DECLUTTERING 5 Ways to Jump-Start a Whole-House Decluttering Effort

By Laura Gaskill

If the piles of paperwork and jampacked closets have you feeling like a deer in the headlights, take a deep breath and a baby step

CONTRACTOR TIPS 10 Things to Discuss With Your Contractor Before Work Starts

By Ventana Construction LLC

Have a meeting a week before hammers and shovels fly to make sure everyone’s on the same page

DECORATING GUIDES Decorating 101: How to Start a Decorating Project

Before you grab that first paint chip, figure out your needs, your decorating style and what to get rid of

DECORATING GUIDES How to Decorate When You're Starting Out or Starting Over

No need to feel overwhelmed. Our step-by-step decorating guide can help you put together a home look you'll love

Sponsored

More Discussions

Rain Garden Class (Amy)

9

Rain Garden Class

0

Master Rain Gardener Class Wk 1 (Andrea)

2

Master Rain Gardener

1