The hens know what they have to do. We normally open the door when we get up, even in the winter, and they choose whether or not they leave. I know that when we get snow only the rooster will leave so we put food and water in the coop and let them do what they want. My advice is to leave the small hen door up when its daylight out and close it when it gets dark. I know that only a few breeds of hens continue to lay in the winter so if you don't get many eggs don't worry. Their instincts and durance to cold will tell if they want to stay in bed or not. Just make sure to break the ice on the water, if it gets that cold over there and that they have food. I'm sorry I don't have any advice about your hens laying on the roost, none of our hens have ever done that before. I hope this helps some. Although I have to say the light is a really good idea. I never thought of that.

Thank you Veggieluv, we luv you too! Yes, the 'Winter Sowing Method' is not winter sowing a field in October with a green manure to turn under in April, or a winter rye, etc, to be cut for crop or fodder the next Spring. When you google Winter Sowing, the first hundred hits are dominated by the method, the ancient agricultural practice is going further and further behind the main pages. A few years back I went down to Beltsville seeking guidance and they very kindly and patiently gave it to me, as well taught me how to manage and grow my website. And it is that scholarly guidance which is why the method dominates over the ancient farming practice when you search the internet for 'Winter Sowing'. If you recheck the FAQs you'll see that the first one there is "How to Winter Sow", I think that is what you are referring to as what you want to read again. The FAQs were needed because there was a LOT of explaining because as you say, it is counter-intuitve, and it is also counter-cultural; many people believe that you need those heat mats and light set-ups to begin any sort of seed, and among the more experienced there were arguements that Deno's set of numbers had to be followed exactly. So, God bless Beltsville as they were the first authority who didn't start their convo with "No. You're crazy." I did good, so did they. We have a work-in-progress Database, there are veggies and herbs listed. I repeat it is a work in progress and it was created by the forum, my hands were not involved in its creation, but do to the need to house it in a reliable url, it is now at WinterSown.Org. Last week I finished the "cleaning and dusting", reframed it into a nicer grid, and uploaded the DB. The DB is in plain-text, you don't need Excel or Word or any database reading program, you can just click on the links and there it is. Keep in mind that not seeing a plant there doesn't mean that it can't be WS, and seeing a "NO" there also doesn't mean that it can't be WS--this is because there hasn't yet been enough years of entry to reliably prove and disprove particular plants. The DB is a suggestion and guide, but it is not the know-all, end-all, do-all, be-all for what seeds you can sow with the method. I am very glad that VeggieLuv mentioned tomatoes and peppers, initially most people think that you can't WS them. Consider the plants that reseed in your garden--we've all heard the legendary tales about toms germinating in cracks in sidewalks and growing to be the healthiest plants anyone has ever seen. Toms do reseed in a temperate climate because they're from a temperate climate, peppers and eggplants and all solanums can reseed. It does make sense that it you live in zone five or colder, that you choose a short season tom and not a 110 dtm type because you may be bringing in green fruits to ripen on the counter. Short season gardens need short season varieties. Give it a try, if you're unsure of the method then hold back some seeds to sow by whatever means you want, then at the end of the season compare the vigor, health, flowers or crops of what you sow. Your eyes are your teachers. Here is a link that might be useful: Winter Sowing Database

ME TOO, what is pork n beans???? Karlene, taking something apart is right up there with cleaning house lol!! I enjoy making HSTs with the 8 at a time pattern - I don't care for the grid method at all. After seeing yous guys post pics of the 'Depression Block' it's on my list. The one I have enjoyed so far was Bonnie's different sizes of the Ohio Star - I used a large floral and white and it turned out very pretty. Why do we spend more time and make sure they are the best we can make them and then GIVE them away LOL?? Rosa

Thanks for the welcome. I have found sham pillow instructions and can do that. Yes, I can drop the feed on my old portable Singer. I need a pattern. Even when I did a quilt with my mom way back when and "by hand" She designed a pattern. She took the lead as she had artistic ability.If any of you learned all your sewing skills and needlepoint too from your mom or another close person you know how blessed you were/are to work side-by-side. She is gone and I finally will go it alone 30 years later without the "looks good, Toots" I got from her. Thanks again for your help and questions. Ordered a sample of the material from The On-line Fabric Store.I hope they have a good reputation. Hugs, Maggie