3 ways to start seeds | Winter sowing, soil blocking, and seed trays

If your're in Zone 8a, it is time to get those spring seeds started! Come along with me as I show you 3 different methods of starting seeds for this spring.
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[@courtneycullen6289]

ooh! I've been watching you on epic. I love the idea of chaos gardening.

[@meggrowsplants]

There’s gonna be a whole dedicated video to that on there soon ❤️

[@eyedantt]

I love the idea with the jugs. Definitely trying that out with some herbs and lettuce. I'm in zone 7B, so we're almost neighbors :)

[@meggrowsplants]

Hi neighbor! Yes, try it out! It’s honestly becoming one of my favorite techniques. I’m going to be experimenting with growing different things in them this season!

[@darrybush5293]

Meg Good Morning, I’ve used the Winter Sowing method for over ten years for most of my seed starting. It’s by far the easiest method no heating pads, no grow lights, no hardening off of plants. I only use the clear water jugs, so much easier to tape then the milk jugs/water jugs that have the handle on the side of the jugs.

[@meggrowsplants]

Good morning! That’s great! It’s such an easy method to use. I definitely am going to start using it more!

[@kimberlydickenson9141]

Meg, I first saw you on the Epic Gardening Channel! I am so excited to learn from you and have already started taking notes. Thank you from Central NY!

[@mismatchedsocksshop7227]

When I taught preschool, the children and I planted in the milk jugs. It worked great. At home I have only ever direct sown or potted seeds. I am really intrigued by the soil blockers. Unfortunately, I'm not gardening much this season but will be back at it in early spring. I think I'd like to try them.

[@victoriadominguezz]

WOOOHOO almost a 30min video!

[@meggrowsplants]

Do you prefer longer vids? Still trying to find my sweet spot ❤️

[@Ashas.Garden]

I enjoy the seed tray method using larger trays so that I don’t have to bother the seedlings too much. 🌱 Nice chat.

[@meggrowsplants]

This is definitely a good move!

[@EarthsNourishingBounty]

Great video Meg! I love Botanical Interest seeds too, they've been a favorite of mine for years.

[@meggrowsplants]

They’re really great quality! Never have an issue with germination and always get really great harvests ❤️

[@cindymagruder911]

I tried soil blocks for the first time this spring and loved it. I have a tendency to overwater, and soil blocks were easier for me to see if water was needed or not. I also had much more success with everything I planted in soil blocks vs. trays. I love the idea of winter sowing in jugs and plan to try that next year!

[@emkn1479]

I tried soil blocking because I was so drawn in by the lack of single use plastic. But it’s so messy and difficult and even though I clean my seed blocker it rusts. Totally agree that for high production in small spaces, soil blocks can’t be beat, and the mess isn’t a big deal in that setting. I still may use them for a few things but I got really sturdy recycled plastic trays and cell packs (same as you) and like them a lot. They just need a good clean and they’re good to go for another year. Just need some tall humidity domes and I’m all set 🙌

[@meggrowsplants]

Totally agree! It’s such a great idea but when it comes down to it, it’s just so hard to use! I’ll only use it for those extra picky plants but I don’t see myself using it often at all.

[@TabythaPolaris]

I have seen others put soil mix in a square tray and push the soil blocks down into it to fill them… that might be easier. Great video ❤

[@meggrowsplants]

Hmmm, I will have to look into this because it definitely would be easier! & thank you so much!

[@TabythaPolaris]

I just remembered The Seasonal Homestead fills her soil blocks by pushing them into a bucket of soil check out that channel…❤

[@helenmcclellan452]

I haven't ttied soil blocking, but I am using water jugs this winter. I ❤ Botanical Interest too!

[@meggrowsplants]

You’ll love the winter sowing method!! And yes botanical interests is a really good company!

[@vickythinks6749]

I wish had known about the jugs before today 😊😅 such a cool idea.

[@aprilarroyo5253]

I have had good luck with coco Loco from fox farms for soil blocking. Also another tip that makes making soil blocks faster is to put your mix in a bin big enough for the soil blocker and push the blocker down into the mix :) I will have to try some winter sowing.

[@beto4266]

Great info Meg!! I started some broccoli, kale and green onions! My first year from seed. But I just did a chaos garden method and see how that goes for me! 😂

[@meggrowsplants]

Thank you!!! You’ll have to let me know how that goes with the chaos gardening. Green onions should do well but I’m curious about the broccoli and kale! I usually seed start those!

[@dawnpettiglio6930]

I strongly recommend that you poke holes from the inside to the outside so that you don't have plastic sticking up inside preventing drainage.

[@meggrowsplants]

Great advice! I was using a box cutter which creates perfect holes with no plastic sticking up. Another way is to use a drill bit!

[@kaptynssirensong2357]

Shout out from KS, Meg! I have my first indoor set up and it’s addictive. I bought too many tomato varieties (again) and my first ever ground cherry seeds. I’m pumped and can’t wait to plant too much stuff and watch my eager bf expand the garden! Woo! You made Epic so much better 😅 -Alisa

[@brenda3945]

Loved all this information! Keep up the good work!

[@meggrowsplants]

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to comment! Comments like this keep me going ❤️

[@lauripedersen3150]

I am an experienced tray user and Winter Sower. I was interested in soil blocking, but since I have the trays already, I decided against it. I do love winter sowing. I live in Iowa, so the weather does all the work, it's just so easy. Not to mention, I don't have that much indoor space for seed starting so the WS also allows me to try more varieties than I could otherwise.

[@meggrowsplants]

The winter sowing has definitely become one of my favorite methods. It’s just so easy and cheap! That’s nice to hear that you are in Iowa and still use this method. I wasn’t sure how much the cold climates could get away with!

[@isabelaarias6750]

love your videos

[@emkn1479]

Roxana at Soil and Margaritas uses thin masking tape to label, I’m sure that could be stuck right on the tray. It’s only about 1/2” wide. And I like the Garden Marker, I write it on wide popsicle sticks.

[@meggrowsplants]

Ohhh neat I will have to try that! Yeah surely the masking tape could help!

[@StephanieMeszaros]

Loved this video. Very informational as I'm going to try growing for the first time this year!

[@meggrowsplants]

Thank you so much for your comment!! I’m so glad you loved it. Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@funnybunny81]

Thanks Meg! What tree is behind you in this video in your. greenhouse? So beautiful

[@brittany8364]

Do you have a video about how you heat your greenhouse? Any other commenters know if she’s mentioned how she heats her greenhouse in a past video? Thanks!

[@meggrowsplants]

I don’t have a specific video on my greenhouse but I’ll write that down to make if you’re interested! I don’t heat my greenhouse at all. I’m in a climate that is mild enough thankfully that I don’t need to. We rarely get below 30 degrees and thankfully it is well insulated enough that it stays pretty toasty in there!

[@user-wn2es2ie8g]

🌸

[@DavidBrown-vx6fb]

Take some paint tape and put name of plant seed for each row and put tape on outside of your tray

[@meggrowsplants]

Yess! Good idea! I’ll try that

[@theheardhomestead]

Great video! Meg what camera do you use I like your video quality. Lastly the only one I don’t wanna try is the soil blocking 🤣 too tiny, too close, too much work, then to have to repot once they root 😫

[@meggrowsplants]

I use a the Sony ZVe10! I love it! I used my phone camera for so long but the camera was definitely a good investment. I film in 4K 30p. And yeah, the soil blocking takes a lot of practice. And so. Much. Work 😂 will definitely only save this method for those pesky plants that don’t like root disturbance!

[@theheardhomestead]

@@meggrowsplants Thank you and yes I’m over the iPhone quality 🤣 fuzzy videos not so cute now. Yes seed blocking had my attention for a millisecond. I agree with you on using it if you want to save on space and you are planting a high amount of seedlings. But since I have a small garden, I do know how many of each plant or flower I want so I don’t need that method. Thank goodness 😅 And in future I hope you do great things in collaboration with Epic gardening🤞🏽♥️

[@Loki-pz1uk]

i wonder if there’s an alternative to jugs for the wintering method, im in 8b so that would be a cool one to try since i never have before and we’re already starting to get 65 to 70 degree days 😂

[@AnyKeyLady]

Hi there 👋 I am trying to winter sow my Sweetpea, poppies and lobielia in 6 uk pint bottles here in London, UK, zone 9a. I sowed them on 7th Jan and starting to see some growth. We have had a lot of warm wet weather this winter but my bring them into to our workshop (a brick shed here in the UK), during what cold spell we might have on Friday night as due to have a 0c/ 30f, which is actually meant to be normal temps this year but we have had night time temps of 11c/ 51.8f. It has been crazy trying to figure out what to do in late winter. Our last frost date is between 10th and 31st March depending on sources as we don't have the ALAMAC/USDA as fully detailed here. 27th Feb - up to the 7th Mar, is it above 5c so good for my cool weather crops but wet. Should i take a chance?? I have clear sheet of plastic to cover if frost on the brassicas and alliums. Can i also ask what mic you are using as you sound really clear?

[@Miss_Whit]

What grow bags do you use?

[@GreedyGreedent]

I wanna buy those heavy duty seed starting trays you have. How much do they cost and how much do you get?

[@thelocdwanderer]

so what would be the difference between winter sowing in the jugs and growing in an unheated greenhouse outside?

[@meggrowsplants]

It would essentially work the same way!

[@SuffolkSusie]

🪴 🩷