How to sow seeds in winter

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you’re able to sow some seed outside correctly now !

You ’re pitch through those beautiful seed catalog . You ’re making your list of honest-to-goodness favorites and Modern varieties you ’re excited to acquire . You ’re planning out your garden plot(s ) . You ’re ordering all your creature and other garden supplies for the occur gardening season . Yes , you ’re chomping at the bit for that last Robert Frost to come so you’re able to begin working that soil in your garden .

gardens, trees, and buildings topped with snow

These beautiful‘Lavender Double’ poppieswere started in winter in a milk jug filled with soil.

But did you cognise that there are sure seeds that you may inseminate when the temperatures are still cool and there ’s still nose candy on the terra firma ? Winter is a good time to sow hardy annual and repeated efflorescence such as :

These varieties need vernalization and germinate well in inhuman , wet weather . In fact , any plant that is “ hardy ” in your zone can be planted in winter .

How to winter sow seeds*

Winter sowing is easy ! Just sow intrepid perennials in recycled milk or water jugs , place jugs out of doors , and let nature work its legerdemain .

Use a clear , one - Imperial gallon milk or body of water jug ; disregard across the breadth of the jugful just below the grip so that the bottom becomes a tray . ( endeavor to leave an in at the back so that the jug top is still attached and works as a hinge . )

perforate drainage hole in the bottom of the jug to promote drain and in the top to promote ventilation .

two lavender-colored double-bloomed poppies

These beautiful‘Lavender Double’ poppieswere started in winter in a milk jug filled with soil.

supply 2 - 3 in of potting soil to the bottom , moisten ( ground should deem its shape when squeezed but not drip ) , and sow cum to the depth recommended on the seed packet . Add a label inside with the name of the variety .

Tape the lid of the jug to the bottom , all the agency around , with duct taping . Put the jug alfresco , making certain it ’s in the Dominicus but sheltered from the wind .

Leave the moldable cap on the very top until the seeds germinate , then hit it to leave rain to enter .

milk jug cut in half with blue straw and seed label

A milk jug, soil, and low temps were all the the ‘Lavender Double’ poppy seeds needed to germinate.

As seedling grow , start the jugful ’s top and softly check the soil . If it ’s dry , moisten mildly and fill up the top . As the days get warmer , start the top during the day and shut it at night .

Transplant seedlings before their leaves start to tinge the side and/or top of the container .