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| Winter Sown Containers in snow |
Woohoo!
It's been too warm here in Minnesota for me to start winter sowing (which I am definitely not complaining about).
I won't start until the temps are consistently below freezing.
I don't want any of my containers sprouting prematurely.
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| Preparing winter sowing containers |
Even though I won't officially kick off my winter sowing season today, I wanted to post something.
So, I thought I'd post some links to a few of my past winter sowing posts to stir up some excitement.
After you read these, you'll all be motivated to join me for some winter sowing this year!
- Winter Sowing - The first post I ever wrote about winter sowing (and one of the first posts I ever wrote for my blog) is a great "how to winter sow" tutorial. If you're a beginner or just need a quick refresher, start by reading this post here... Winter Sowing Seeds >>
- Types of Containers - There are tons of different types of containers that can be used for winter sowing. I have been winter sowing for several years now and have tried about every type of container I could think of. I share my opinions and tips about choosing the right container for winter sowing in my post... Containers For Winter Sowing >>
- Cleaning the Containers - Reusing plastic containers that otherwise would have been thrown out is one of the great things about winter sowing. Some containers can even be used a few years in a row. Last year I wrote a quick post which contains tips on how to clean your winter sowing containers. Read all about it here... Cleaning Winter Sowing Containers >>
- FREE seeds - Last year I ran a contest where I gave away FREE seeds to four lucky winners and had a blast tracking the containers sown by all who participated (385 containers sown!). It was a huge success so I am definitely going to do it again this year. I know we can beat last years count! The contest will start when I officially kick off my winter sowing season in mid-January. I will announce the start of the contest here with a blog post, on my Facebook page and on Twitter. You'll definitely want to stay tuned for that! Check out last years contest details here... Winter Sowing Kickoff and Free Seed Giveaway >>
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| Spouting winter sown containers |
Who's with me?
Great... now get busy collecting, cleaning and preparing those winter sowing containers.
Oh, and don't forget to buy yourself some seed starting soil mix too.
Happy winter solstice!
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| Winter sown seedlings ready to plant |
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Amy, I am on Facebook, there's a link to my profile on my blog. Here's a link to it, just in case: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=818812458
ReplyDeleteHi Alison! I noticed that link, I was wondering if you had a separate page for your blog stuff. I like to keep mine separate from my personal page. Here's mine... https://www.facebook.com/GetBusyGardening
ReplyDeleteAmy
Amy: I think I just might try it this year. Thanks for the inspiration! Crossing my fingers for a short, mild winter. But you just never know. Happy Holidays! --Beth
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope you do try it this year Beth! I would love for you to join in the fun. I'm with you regarding winter, so far so good. Hopefully Jan/Feb/Mar will follow suite.
ReplyDeleteAmy
Looking forward to learning more about winter sowing! Found you thru the GardenWeb post in the tomato forum!
ReplyDeleteHappy Winter Solstice and a Merry Christmas too. I hope you're enjoying your mild winter so far and I hope 2012 is a fabulous year for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Sissy and welcome to my blog! I hope you will join in on the winter sowing fun this year. You'll love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Grace - thanks, Happy Winter Solstice and Merry Christmas to you too! Can you believe it's already the end of the year. Looking forward to 2012.
Amy
Hi Amy
ReplyDeleteHope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year. Here in NY we finally got winter! My milk jugs are piling up and I am getting ready to do some winter gardening in the next couple weeks!
My winter projects include making some of those wooden tomato cages. Every year I have a battle with the wimpy wire cages but no more because now I have power tools!!
Hi Kirstie! Happy holidays to you too. I'm excited that you'll be winter sowing again this year. It's still in the 40s here, so I won't be winter sowing yet (but I can't complain about the weather). It's awesome that you're going to build those tomato cages! Good luck and let me know what you think.
ReplyDeleteAmy
Amy because of you I now am an avid winter sower. My daughter and I have given up our fish tanks and gone for the empty milk jugs for pretty much everything. I'm tempted to start tomatoes in-doors but then when I check out your blog I'm like NAH!!! The winter sowing really works and gives me such good results. I will try and find pictures or video of our garden to send you with the results of our efforts. It looks like we won't be starting the winter sowing until February or March if this cold then warm again trend keeps going. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteWow, that is so great! Thanks for sharing, I'm glad I inspired you. :-) I have had mixed results with both tomatoes and peppers. On years where we have a cold spring (like last year), these don't sprout until well into May. This isn't too bad for peppers, but tomatoes need such a long growing season. I winter sowed them both, and also sowed some flats inside last year (thank goodness!). The indoor sown ones produced much better.
DeleteI would love to see pictures/video of your garden! Feel free to share them on my FB page if you want, or link to your blog.
Yes, the weather has been too warm to start winter sowing. I'm definitely waiting until Feb. I actually feel like my seeds do better if I wait until late Jan/early Feb to winter sow, rather than starting in Dec every year.
You'll definitely have to participate in my winter sowing count this year! I'll be giving away prizes again so stay tuned.
Amy
I keep reading about people using milk jugs. All our milk jugs in our area are not the see through kind of plastic. Can you still use them?
DeleteMargis - no, you have to use the ones that are transparent so the light can get through. The idea is to create mini greenhouses for the seedlings. Check out my link above to the post I wrote about types of containers you can use. There are tons of options. Good luck and have fun!
DeleteAmy