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| Winter sown containers in the snow (Feb 2010) |
As I briefly mentioned in that post, there are many different types of containers you could use for winter sowing.
The shape and size of the container doesn't matter, as long as the container...
- has a lid that lets light through (ie: not completely opaque)
- is deep enough to hold 2-3 inches of dirt
- is tall enough to accommodate the height of the seedlings as they grow
The types of containers I prefer to use are ones with lids that are easy to take off and put back on.
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| Examples of great winter sowing containers |
On warm spring days, I like to take the lids off my containers and then replace them before dark. This is difficult if you have a container you'll have to tape every time you have to put the lid back on. But again, this is just my preference.
Some of my favorite types of containers include (a few are pictured above):
- Old food storage containers (tupperware, glad/ziploc disposable containers...etc) - you can find these in the free bin at garage sales all the time!
- Ice cream buckets
- Food take out containers
- Food containers from the grocery store deli
- Containers from bakery goods
I especially like containers that can withstand the heat of the dishwasher without melting. This makes the task of cleaning hundreds of containers much easier. I've noticed that if they can stand the dishwasher, they usually last longer and these are the containers I can use for more than one year.
One thing to note is that some "plastic" take out containers are now made out of corn, which is great for the environment....but not for winter sowing unfortunately. (and these will disintegrate in the dishwasher)
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| Container without a lid |
Cover the container with a plastic bag and secure it at the bottom with a twist tie, then poke a few holes in the top.
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| Cover tightly with a plastic bag |
Make sure to pull the plastic as tight as you can so it won't blow away.
If you have a container that will fit into a gallon ziploc bag, you can put it in and zip it up...but make sure that you poke holes in the top and bottom of the bag, as well as in the bottom of the container!
It's best to experiment with containers and see what you like. Sometimes you have to take what you can get and then you'll know what modifications to make for next year.
I don't usually start winter sowing until February so there is still time to collect containers. What are you waiting for... get busy collecting those containers!
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| Winter Sown Seeds Sprouting (Spring 2010) |
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This is a very cool idea, I attempted an outdoor winter seeding of crocosmia lucifer and seeded in october. The problem was small sprouts appeared in mid december and were nuked by the frost. Who knows what might pop come spring but putting a lid on things might give them that extra warmth to survive. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHi Nat! It is pretty cool isn't it. I was very excited when I discovered this technique too, and it has become very popular over the last few years. I was nervous to try it out, but it's so much easier than starting seeds indoors. I hope you will try it and share your progress with me. I will be starting my winter sowing sometime in the next few weeks and sharing my progress.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy
ReplyDeleteI have been putting aside some old containers. I can't wait to try this out. Do I use regular gardening soil or should I use the seed starting soil?
Hello Anonymous! It's funny, someone else just asked me the same question yesterday. I use the same type of potting soil in my winter sowing containers that I use when starting seeds indoors. I buy the seed starting soil mix that is specifically made for starting seeds. It's a little more expensive than other soil mixes. You could probably find a recipe online to mix your own seed starting mix and possibly save some money. You absolutely want to use fresh, sterile soil when starting any seeds; and never, never use soil from your garden in any of your containers. Excellent question!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I will be posting my status reports as I sow seeds again this year. I would love it if you would share your sowing progress with me too. I am also planning a giveaway or two over the next few months, so stay tuned!
Thanks for the update. Before I submitted my post it said "Tara said..." I am not sure why it changed to anonymous. Love your blog Amy and I reference quite often. I will be trying to do as you do this year so I am not so far behind and still waiting for veggies in the fall. I am pretty excited to try out winter sowing. I have some seeds that I bought last summer, but I am going to have to get more. Do you have any suggestions on where to get them cheap this time of year?
ReplyDeleteYou say you start sowing in February. This winter seems to be exceptionally cold - will you still be starting them this month? Also, I don't have a deck or patio - but I would put the containers on my outside table for the morning sun - or is it okay to put them on a sheet of cardboard or some such thing directly on the snow?
ReplyDelete@Tara - howdy neighbor! Glad to hear you're going to give winter sowing a try this year. Can't wait to hear all about it! I usually buy my seeds at Bachmans... but this time of year, you can pretty much find them at all the big box stores too. There are tons of companies that sell them online if you want to price compare. Shop now for the best selection.
ReplyDeleteHi SecondhandKris - Yes, it has been awfully cold this winter...but that's not going to change my timeline for winter sowing. In fact, usually I would have started a week or so ago, but I just haven't had the time yet.
As for where to put the containers...If you scroll up and look again at the first picture on this blog post, you'll see that those containers are on the ground, right on top of the snow! Some considerations to keep in mind - one, once the snow starts to melt in the spring, the containers will shift, so keep an eye on them to make sure they don't flip over. Two, if you have them on top of grass, just keep in mind that the grass under the containers will have a hard time growing. You really just need to rotate the location of the containers every week so the grass under them won't die. Of course, you won't have to worry about this until after the snow melts. I put mine on a mulch area next to my deck to keep most of them off the grass. (my deck is too sunny).
Again, just make sure to keep them out of the full sun. That's the most important part.
Hello! Love the information! I have been researching winter sowing on and off over the last couple of weeks and just had a quick question about containers. I like the idea of using containers that you can just stick directly into the ground (peat pots, TP rolls, egg shells etc.) - I know two of the "rules" of winter sowing is to having a container that is deep enough for the 2-3" of medium and that it should be something that basically acts as a small greenhouse/keeps the elements out - things that direct-planting container types don't really do. That said, would it be possible to use a larger storage tub (similar to an under-bed plastic tub) with direct-to-ground containers stored inside of it? In theory it seems like it should work with the only weakness coming from the possible deterioration of the containers before you plant them in the ground. What are your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteHi Allison - I have heard of people using their normal winter sowing containers with the TP rolls/peat pots inside. They fill in between the rolls/pots with soil to help retain moisture. The biggest concern with using this plantable materials is that they can act as a wick and draw moisture out of the soil faster than normal. I think your method sounds like it should work, but keep a close eye on the soil moisture. Seedlings will die quickly if the soil dries out.
DeleteGood luck and let me know how it goes for you.
Amy
I am planning to try out winter sowing this winter. I never tried it out before. Your post was very helpful for me to get to know some useful tips on it. Hope, i succeed in it with your useful tips.
ReplyDeleteGreat! I hope it works out for you. Be sure to come back and let us know how it goes!
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