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Sowing annuals after a frost

Rick (zone 6b, MA)

8 years ago

I've read that in parts of the country with freezing winters (I'm in New England), some annuals can be beneficially sown in the fall after a killing freeze before snow (or even in winter between snows). This way, (1) the seeds will already be in the ground at the moment spring conditions will allow for their germination rather than having to wait for humans to know the correct time to plant them, and (2) the snow helps bury and insulate the seeds thereby helping them to retain their moisture.

Would appreciate any comments about this. I'm not assuming that all annuals can be fall-sown like this? Do annuals benefit from the scarification that happens when the seeds are fall-sown?

Featured Answer

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

8 years ago

Rick, you'll need to research the individual plants that you are interested in. I start my annuals inside a couple of months early so that they're pretty much blooming by the time it's safe to plant them outside.

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Comments (8)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
some can over winter.. others are winter killed ...

its really hard.. to go much beyond that... with no list of plants you are interested in ...

and which can and do ... is very zone dependent .... anything that does so.. in zones colder than you ... will do good for you ...

also ... there is the vermin issue .... many things that do winter over... come up in spring.. if there is snow cover ... but if not.. the birds mice, etc.... can forage and destroy the crop of seeds ... this isnt a real problem.. if last years plants dropped 50 million seed ... but if you are going out there ... and dropping 10 seeds.... you may not have a lot of success ...

have you looked into the winter sowing forum??? ....

ken

ps: the other problem... in the olden days ... was that no one sold seed in fall ... so even if you wanted to do it... you had no source for purchase ... unless you spent the summer harvesting and storing them .... of course.. with the web ... you can get whatever you want.. whenever ...

pps: i dont know why you have to wait for a frost ... you can sow .. when the plant self sows .... it a good sign when its dropping its own seed ... which means any time in fall .. IMHO ....
Rick (zone 6b, MA) thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
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chueh: You could try sprinkling some seeds into your beds now, you might get lucky. Or not. If you have a lot of seeds, all you have to lose is a few seeds. Some of our members "wintersow" all year. Some folks have started or are starting some seeds now, technically summer sowing I guess, but still in milk jugs or something similar. This helps to retain enough moisture to coax the seeds to germinate. Like Lynne said, they should be up and growing and planted before frost. I wanted to try it this summer, but I haven't just because it's been so hot and dry here. I would guess you'd have the same problem in Ga. It would be really tough to keep things moist enough to grow here. Some folks do though with great success. Most perennials started now should be established enough to bloom next summer. Our weather has been so unusual this year. I do have some of my own saved seeds which I might just sprinkle into beds, as you suggested, and just give them a shot. I have enough of some seeds to consider them expendable. They'd probably work better in covered containers, in shade, though. I have to say, though, that some perennials need cold stratification to germinate, which makes wintersowing the perfect, easiest, most certain chance of success. Many perennials won't bloom until their 2nd or 3rd year, but are often worth the wait. Stick around. We have fun sowing and gardening all year round. We even have a member in Alaska who has teriffic results with wintersowing. Besides, we're such an entertaining group. Karen
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tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
8 years ago
As stated above, it depends on the seed. That said, my annual poppies, celosia, petunias and zinnias self seed so those would be fine.

tj
Rick (zone 6b, MA) thanked tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
arlene_82 (zone 6 OH)
8 years ago
Here is a link to a list of annuals that might work for this:

http://faq.gardenweb.com/discussions/2766877/hardy-annuals-for-winter-sowing
Rick (zone 6b, MA) thanked arlene_82 (zone 6 OH)
mnwsgal
8 years ago
When I know an annual self sows in my area I pull up a plant with seeds and tap it on the ground in areas I want that annual to grow the next year.

As others have stated the amount of seed that survives to germinate will vary from year to year. For me annual poppy seeds mostly disappear so I end up with only a few scattered poppies. Now I throw poppy seed down in March and have had to remind myself to sow them thinly as seems every seed sown in March germinates.

if I want to be certain to have an annual I either start seeds inside or winter sow ( see the Winter Sowing forum).
Rick (zone 6b, MA) thanked mnwsgal
Rick (zone 6b, MA)
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you, everyone, for these answers. Looks like I have a new adventure coming up in the next month or so.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
8 years ago
There's a forum on here called winter sowing. You might find some relevant info there too.
Rick (zone 6b, MA) thanked Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
bellarosa
8 years ago
I winter sow hardy annuals like poppies, petunias, snapdragons and larkspur. Very easy to do. Save your gallon milk containers - it's the best method to do this. Head over to the winter sowing forum for details.

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