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Canadian Winter Sowing Winter Sowing

Winter Sowing, Too Early to See Germination?

Frank UNDERWOOD

2 years ago

I started some jugs this year to get a sense of how winter sowing works, never having tried it. I put the jugs out around Christmas 2021. I'm in zone 7b, in the Atlanta metro area. I went out to check on the jugs and I've noticed germination in the echinacea and asclepias syriaca jugs. Is this too early and should I be concerned? I'm looking for some tips from people with more experience with winter sowing and any advice y'all might be able to offer.

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Comments (3)

mybrownthumbz6
2 years ago
I’m a zone lower than you, but I think it’s still pretty early. The benefit of winter sowing is stronger plants, it doesn't give you a big head start like starting seeds indoors.
docmom_gw
2 years ago
Trust the plants. They know what they’re doing. If they sprouted, they’re fine. Keep the soil moist and remove the container tops, if warm weather (not freezing) is predicted.
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This is turning into a very weird weather year for many of us. Because of that, it's hard to give you an absolute answer. Be aware that no matter what any of us tell you, it's nature that has the final answer in when those seeds will sprout. My best guess is that it's probably fine for perennials hardy to your area, and hardy annuals too. I'd definitely wait for anything tender. And if perennials and hardy annuals would sprout early, they have a much better chance of survival in their containers. And keeping them in a shady spot is definitely a good idea until spring is in the air. This is probably our coldest part of winter most years, and it's when I sow my hardy annuals and perennials. I sowed my first jugs a few days ago. I'd go for it if I were you. The chance that they'll sprout in shade is minimal I think, and winter might just stay mild this year. Karen
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Welcome, Natalie. We really are a friendly group, don't let our goofballs scare you away. MMQC is our problem child here- endless funny comments but newcomers may not 'get' her jokes. I'd bet she spent her childhood in the principal's office. Wndy2shoes has been spending too much time around MMQC. I, too, wintersow my seeds outdoors, not inside as I was a miserable failure at that. But I do know that indoor sowing generally involves fluorescent lights about 14-16 hours a day and incandescent light isn't useful to plants. For more detailed information, the forums Seedmama mentioned will probably be your better source. Do consider a few containers outside by the wintersowing method. You might be pleasantly surprised by how easy it is as well as economical and successful. Karen Here is a link that might be useful: FAQs
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Most of the paintbrushes (Castilleja) are semi-parasitic to certain prairie grasses. I have no luck getting them to sprout or even transplant but I have seen other people do it. I've had no problem getting Salvia lyrata to sprout but it takes a few years to get blossoms (but I grow it for the leaves anyway). I'm used to Ironweeds (Vernonia) in dry prairies but they might grow in a damp environment next to a streambed. I grow mine in the dryest part of the yard - mostly to keep them small. In good soil they get too tall to see the flowers. Everybody else on the list needs some winter to sprout and most will take a year or more to get to blooming size.
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diggerdee zone 6 CT
2 years ago
I agree with docmom - trust the plants. Besides, there's not much you can do about it anyway hahaha! But seriously, keep an eye on them, make sure they don't dry out (or get waterlogged). I wouldn't take the tops off just yet, (but you know your zone better than I do!) but definitely keep an eye out.

With the crazy way the climate is going, (i.e it was 60 here on Saturday (which was crazy warm!) and then three inches of snow later that night into the next day, with temps in the single digits) the hardest thing about wintersowing these days, imo, is the unpredictability of the weather. So keep an eye on your weather forecast. Honestly I think the bigger danger at this point is warm weather as opposed to cold. The last two years we've had 90-degree days in April - as crazy as 60 degree days in February! - so you have to pay more attention to the temps these days.

:)

Dee

P.S. I'm not too familiar with the asclepias, but echinacea is a tough perennial, and I think these two plants in particular should be fine for you

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