When is it too LATE to winter sow?
kitasei
8 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (7)
gardenweed_z6a
7 years agoRelated Discussions
too late to start winter sowing??
Comments (9)I agree, started early Feb two winters ago, my first, should be same zone as yours, only lost a couple out of 12-20 containers. I decided to try starting earlier this year. Nice to get 2 large plastic bags of containers out of my breakfast room. Next are the soda bottles, and things will be manageable in there with just a little more spiffing up. I'm very unconventional, give some people (my family) fits. My breakfast room measures 6' X 6', not very big, had great dreams for it when we moved here, anyway not really big enough for a family of 5 then 4 (divorce). So I used it for "my space", sewing room with tv. Then my most beloved cat somehow would never take to toilet training, and that was her potty room. I never minded cleaning up after her for 21 years, had given her away as a kitten and the lady took two (don't know if her kid would have been good to kittens, got out of the kitten business because of screening), anyway that whole night I was feeling really bad I gave that one kitten away. The next day she brought her back. I lost her in Aug 2005. None of my other cats failed to use the litter box (or basement if they could sneak down there). All I ever had to do was set them in it and they started scratching. I'm extra talkative now, my daughter said I was acting antsy since I got shot up with a bunch of novocain today, sure didn't start the day at 6am that way. So just skip over my silly stories when I drift OT or report me to management....See MoreIs it too late to winter sow columbine?
Comments (11)PM2, go ahead and sow both the columbine and the California poppies now. Those columbine seeds will germinate whether you plant them out during the winter or in the spring. Just remember that columbine can be very slow to germinate or very fast. Don't give up on them if they aren't any sprouts in June, or July or even August. I had several containers out and nothing all spring and summer, then low and behold come, Labor day weekend, the seedlings decided to say "hello". They grew very quickly too, much faster than in the spring and I planted them out in early Oct. One good way to plant the columbine seeds is to use an individual container for one plant. make it at least 5-6 inches deep. Then put about 15-20 seeds right in the center of the container. Press the seeds into the soil, but do not cover them with any soil. cover and let mother nature do her thing. When the seedlings are ready to plant, then just take each container and make that one plant. That's how the seeds are sown at nurseries and that's why the plants we buy are so large. They put that many seeds in one container to make one plant. Oh, no need to soak the columbine seeds. The California poppy seeds. I never put them out before mid March at the earliest and have put them out as late as mid April as well. Just sprinkle them on the top of the soil, press them into the soil and do not cover the seeds with any soil. They will germinate just fine and no need to soak them either. Fran...See Moreis it too late to winter sow?
Comments (5)Sheep Scabious 'Blue Light' Amsonia - needs about 6 weeks chill, soaking first might speed them up Lemon Balm - good to go, no chill required Soapwort - 4-6 weeks chill, may do better with a brief warm moist period first Wild Senna - no chill required Swamp Milkweed - if Asclepias incarnata chill of 3-4 weeks will help Liatris Do you know which one? Some will germinate with no chill at all, other needs as much as 12 weeks Hardy Ageratum -brief chill may help but isn't always needed Rue - good, brief moist chill may help but not always needed Feverfew - brief moist chill may help, don't cover seed, surface sow Rose Mallow needs no chill Blue Flax hmmmm, some types will need a long chill, others none at all Siberian Iris You could get germination from these if sown now, or it could be next year. I like to sow in late Fall. Wild Bergamot - brief chill may help but not always needed Blackberry Lily - good to go, no lengthy chill required but germination is slow so be patient Partridge Pea...See MoreWhen is too late for winter sowing?
Comments (9)Many types seeds do well sown in late winter and early Spring 'winter sown'. Those seeds that might be problematic would be those that require a long moist chill before they will germinate - some trees, shrubs, and even a few perennials come to mind. You could check the seeds you'd like to sow here: Clothiers Germination Database If you have seeds for plants that show they need several months chill, those could be iffy sown too late. But if the average of your day and night temps are approximately 40F, your weather should be cold enough....My entire winter can average out to about a wet 40F ;) and winter sowing works here....See Morekitasei
7 years agokitasei
7 years agomnwsgal
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agokitasei
7 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDES10 Late-Winter and Early-Spring Bloomers for the West
Tired of waiting for spring to arrive? Try these drought-tolerant, flowering plants for color that starts in late winter
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES12 Edibles Perfect to Plant in Late Summer
Keep those homegrown vegetables and greens coming well into fall
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESFlower Shows Sow Ideas for Your Garden
There’s much design inspiration to be gathered at garden shows. Here are some ideas to start you off
Full StoryFLOWERSBest Cutting-Garden Beauties for Late Summer
Pick blooms bursting with color or in classic white for bouquets to give away or keep all to yourself
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Larix Laricina Glows Gold in Late Autumn
Plant tamarack for a beautiful late-fall golden display
Full StorySHRUBS5 Glorious Late-Season Shrubs
Spilling over with berries or bursting with blooms, these stunning underused shrubs keep the garden party going through fall
Full StoryLIFELate Again? Eliminate the Things Holding You Up in the Morning
If you find yourself constantly running late for appointments, work and get-togethers, these tips could help
Full StoryBEDROOMSRoom of the Day: A Cocoon for Late-Night Crashing
Moodily masculine and warmly enveloping, this loft bedroom welcomes the owner after his long hours in the music studio
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGot Frost-Damaged Plants? How It Happens, and When and How to Prune
Crispy brown leaves are a sure sign that Jack Frost has been to your neighborhood
Full StorySponsored
sewobsessed