My Winter Sow Seed List

Are you wondering what vegetable seeds you can winter sow?  You’ve come to the right place. So, stay awhile and check out my list of best seeds to winter sow.  I started my winter sowing my seeds last week.  I can now check that off my backyard vegetable gardening to do list.  

My bottle greenhouses are sitting on my deck waiting for the perfect opportunity to germinate.  My list is not all inclusive, I’m sure there are many others that can be added to the winter sow list.  I live in zone 6B.  So, I select plants that will grow in my zoneSome plants do well in some zones, but not in others.  So be selective of the plants that you choose to grow.

 

winter sowing

 

 

Because I have a short growing season, it’s important that I give my plants a head start in the garden.  As a result, I start my seeds early so I plant out by Mother’s Day at the earliest and Memorial Day at the latest.  By mid-June my garden is fully planted.  I water and nurture the plants so they can establish a good root system.

I’ve been successful with some seeds and not so much with others.  I love the thrill of seeing what emerges each year and watching the plants produce.  Here’s my winter sow list:

  • Spicy Globe Basil
  • Genovese Basil
  • Greek Oregano
  • Italian Oregano
  • Sage
  • Thyme
  • Rosemary
  • Cilantro
  • Zucchini
  • Squash
  • Collard Greens
  • Lettuce – Salad Bowl, Romaine,  Butter Crunch, Black Seeded Simpson
  • Spinach – Noble
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower

 


 

Also, the following tomatoes found a place on my list to germinate inside this year:  Roma, Amish Paste, San Marzano, Cherokee Purple, Black Krim, Hillbilly, Yellow and Pink Brandywine, Tiffin Mennonite, Mortgage Lifter, German Johnson, Paul Robeson, Early Girl, and White Wonder tomatoes inside.

 

winter seed sowing

 

Unfortunately, not all of them will germinate successfully.  As a result, germinate enough seeds to ensure you produce enough plants for the garden. There have been times when I have attempted to sow a variety a second time if it doesn’t germinate.  So, allow enough time for this step if you want a certain variety.  Additionally, I sowed belle, cayenne, and jalapeno peppers.  Stay tuned, I’ll be posting updates on the germination journey.

 

Finally, I hope my winter sow seed list has helped you decide what seeds you will be winter sowing or sowing inside.  Again, it is not all inclusive and you will need to check your zone to ensure your seeds are compatible.  In conclusion, I suggest that you order a few catalogues to browse through the winter and make a decision based on your research.  I love looking at the catalogues and checking out the new varieties of tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and more.  Stay tuned for future gardening posts.

 

 

 

 

 

Why You Should Winter Sow Seeds

Today, I’m sharing tips on winter sowing seeds. Starting plants indoors is at the top of my backyard vegetable gardening list.  As a matter of fact, I started about 25 heirloom tomato plants under grow lights.  I’m hoping to get my garden in early this year and possibly get some plants in the garden twice.  My stash of canned tomatoes, sauce, corn, green beans, peppers and herbs is getting low.  

 

 

winter sow seeds

 

Did I mention that my tomato sauce is kid approved?  My grandchildren and son-in-law love it.  My daughter uses it in recipes that call for red sauce, and trust me there isn’t a morsel left on the plate.  One of my brothers requests it for his deer baloney during hunting season.  After taking inventory, I realized that I needed to replenish my stock if I plan to share it.  So, I’m going to winter sow seeds and grow others under the grow lights for my summer garden.

 

Here’s a few good reasons why you should at least try winter sowing: 

 

1. Cost Effective –  Winter sowing can be done cheaply.  For example, plastic containers, duct tape, a utility knife, seed starting mix and outdoor space is basically all you need.  A single plant at a garden center will cost $2.00  –  $4.00Things can get expensive if you’re trying to plant a garden to feed a family over the winter at that price.  

2.  Saves Indoor Space Indoor germination requires space.  Once the seedlings germinate they require a warm space with proper lighting.  Many gardeners don’t have space inside their homes for this endeavor.  As a result, they resort to direct sowing in the garden or purchasing expensive plants at the garden center.  Furthermore, you can use your deck, shrubbery beds, backyard tables, backyard benches, your garden, the options are limitless.  I don’t recommend concrete areas unless you have a bedding of straw.  Your plants won’t appreciate a cold bottom from the concrete.

3.  Nature Does The Work Once you place your containers outdoors, you let nature take its course.  The rain, snow, light and moderation of the temperature will help germinate the seed and cause the plant to grow at the right time.  Once spring arrives, you will have to take the top off the plants and give them water, separate or thin them and prepare them for spring/summer planting. How easy is that!

4.  Doesn’t Require A Light System Nature will provide all the light that your plants will need when you use the winter sowing method.  Indoor sowing requires grow lights or some type of fluorescent lighting system.  I have an indoor system and it works great; however, if you have to spend money to set up a system why not go the free route.

5. Doesn’t Require Hardening Off The rigid, mild, and warm temperatures prepare seedlings for movement to the garden.  When you sow seeds indoors you will have to get your plants adjusted to being outside. This requires you to harden off your plants.  Gradually expose your plants to shade, sun and nights before transplanting them in the garden will be necessary.

Once I complete my winter sowing seeds list, I will be posting a list of seeds you can outdoor sow successfully too.  Start gathering your jugs and containers, you will have plenty of time to start your winter sowing too.  You may also like My Winter Sow Seed List.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using the Winter Sowing Method for Seeds

Today, I’m going to share gardening tips on winter sowing vegetable seeds.   Check out my other backyard vegetable gardening tips before you leave too.  I have the winter blues!  So, I decided to start my vegetable seeds for my spring and summer garden.  Planning my garden takes the blues away and gives me a head start on growing strong, healthy veggie plants. 

For the past several years, I have started my seedlings using heat mats and grow lights.  I have about a 90% germination rate with what I sowed.  However, it takes a lot of time and space to nurture the seedlings. Using the winter sowing method eliminates the heat mats, grow lights and chances of growing leggy vegetable seedlings.  You simply place your containers in a location where they will get sunlight and rain water and let them go until spring.  

 

gardening tips

 

 

I decided to use the winter sowing method for the past few years.  It’s much easier than setting up the mats and grow lights.  As a result, I’ve been saving plastic liter bottles as well as  juice and milk bottles.  Anything that I can cut and punch holes in the bottom for drainage is fair game.  I started about 20 bottles over the week-end.  Tomatoes, dill, zucchini, squash, sunflowers and petunias. Yes, you can winter sow flowers too.  I love that dill and petunias reseed for several years after planting.  

I will sow a few tomatoes inside under grow lights, but I’m sold on the winter sowing method.  And, it’s doubtful that I will ever return to to a full fledged indoor sowing setup again.

 

 

winter sowing vegetable seeds

 

Winter Sowing Vegetable Seeds:

 

  • Wash your bottles in hot soapy water and rinse well.
  • Allow bottles to dry.
  • Use a box cutter to cut around the bottles.  Leave an inch on the bottle for a hinge.
  • Add drainage holes in the bottom of your bottle.  To accomplish this, I used a hot glue gun on the bottom of the milk bottles.  However, I was unsuccessful using the glue gun on the liter and juice bottles.  The glue gun wouldn’t penetrate.  So, I used the box cutter to make slits on the bottom.  You could also use a drill on the bottom.  If you have another method of punching holes, bring out your equipment and punch holes in the bottom of your bottles.

 

 

winter sowing method

 

 

Next prepare your seed starter mix:

 

  • Mix your seed starting mix as directed on the package.  I use warm water when mixing the soil Mix it thoroughly.  You want it wet; however, not soggy.
  • Add 2 – 3 inches of the mix to the bottom of each of the bottles or container.  I use Miracle Gro Seed Starting Mix.  I have a great germination rate each year with the mix.   I have also used Miracle Grow potting soil, and my seeds germinated as well.
  • Plant your vegetable or flower seeds according to the directions on the package.  Once you have the seed planted, wrap the bottle with duct tape.  I purchased my duct tape from the Dollar Store.
  • Mark the bottles with a permanent marker, which I also purchased from the Dollar Tree.
  • You can discard the bottle tops.  I moved the bottles and containers to my deck to ensure they get rain. Let them go until spring.  At that time you should have sprouts that will need water.  As they grow, you will have to remove the top of the bottles. Just remove the duct tape and remove the top.  You can use a pair of scissors to cut the hinge on the bottle.
  • You can place your bottles in trays for a little more organization, but it’s not necessary.  My are placed randomly on my deck.  Once I remove the tops, I organize them so I can tgrans
  • Your seedlings will already be hardened off.  Which is a step you will have to take if you start seedlings indoors.

 

Finally, if you are a gardener and use the winter sowing method, please share your experience.  You may also like My Winter Sow Seed List.