Winter Sowing in 5 Minutes! Quick Start Guide To Get You Started With the WS Seed Starting Method!

[@pamelacorsi]

I just put out 21 jugs yesterday and will do about 20 more today. I've had 100% success with this method and it is so easy. The only advice I would give beginners is if you are starting any warm season veg or flowers, once they have sprouted you need to cover them if you have a killing frost that is going to last a while.

[@HookedandRooted]

woohoo!! that is great Pam, to have such high success rate. It really is a great method. And your advise is spot on! I'll pin this comment for reference. Thanks again!

[@Aenglish101]

Wow! 🤯 Thanks so much for sharing!!!!!! This is amazing! And so much easier than using those trays with the 72 cells! 😂

[@jessicamurano9673]

Thanks for sharing. I just recently found your channel and I've been looking for a Massachusetts gardening content creator, I knew I found one as soon as I heard your voice 😄 I'm in zone 6B too. I watch a lot of great content creators from all over but it's nice to find someone local dealing with the same climate. I am doing winter sowing this year, first time. I've already started calendula, bee balm and cabbage with the winter sowing method. Thanks for sharing your methods, I am using your winter sowing videos to guide me through my first winter sowing project

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Jessica, I literally just lol'd and nearly spit out my coffee when I read your comment. A girl with a Boston accent who talks about her "gahden" ;) Welcome aboard, glad to meet you. Let me know if you come across any questions on Winter Sowing!

[@quailhollow7955]

I also am a Massachusetts gardener and love your content. So fun to have a local creator. ❤

[@jessicamurano9673]

@@HookedandRooted thanks Steph! Have you ever done poppies? I hear they don't like being transplanted so I'm going to try winter sowing directly into a fabric container and I guess just cover them with something plastic.

[@wintersowingwithelizabeth2286]

Great video Steph! For those who don’t have access to jugs, you can also winter sow in ziplock baggies propped with marshmallow sticks.

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Elizabeth! yes definitely that method also seems to work great!! Thanks for sharing. Link your video here in case anyone is curious and wants to check it out!

[@monicamacauley3750]

Congratulations! 🍾 🎊 20,000 subscribers. You have passed the torch to so many garden enthusiasts with your garden knowledge and expertise. I enjoy following you.

[@HookedandRooted]

Thank you so very much Monica for your kind words. Its my pleasure!

[@patjackson3506]

I can’t wait to get going on my winter sowing! My whole family has been saving me milk jugs! Thanks so much for all your informative content. It’s awesome to see how your channel is growing.

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Pat, Thank you so much for your kinds words. I never thought that anyone would be interested in watching this girl with a Boston accent talking about her garden. I'm so lucky to have such wonderful subscribers who I now get to interact with on a regular basis. Just amazing. Thank you for your support. I hope you have fun, and enjoy the process of Winter Sowing. If you can't get enough jugs, some people have also used other methods that work for them. I'll link 2 videos here you can check out if you have the time. Have a great weekend. Here are the vids: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qafOfIWMqJmYY7c and also this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHa6io1qnKmnm80

[@susanschellberg4509]

I'm winter sowing for the first time and following video instructions. I've planted hardy annuals like larkspur, ammi dara, cabbage, kale and chard. Zone 7a. This has turned out to be a lot of fun and many of my containers already have sprouted seeds. Much easier than inside and gets me out on nice days. Thanks for your video.

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Susan, Thats a great lineup! Since you mention you already have some sprouts, keep an eye on the temps. If you happen to get a hard frost coming, just throw a blanket over those seedlings to protect them from the frost. So nice to get outside for some sunshine on warm days. Your very welcome!

[@cami-mani]

I love wintersowing but haven't done it in several years. I need to get back to that activity which is so relaxing, fun, and rewarding! TFS!

[@hildachacon001]

Even the big jugs of the frosted plastic kitty litter containers work well too and have more space than a milk jug. 😻

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

Let's goooo Steph!! As you we had some successes and some not so much last year. But it's a super economical way to start seeds !! Recycle day is coming up, gonna get some milk jugs !! Have a great day!! High Five George!! Cheers J&C 🌱🌱🌱

[@HookedandRooted]

Get to it guys!! I promise you'll have better success this year. Proper drainage, make sure containers stay moist, and sow seeds to correct dept. Place in sun, and cross your fingers that mother nature helps with the rest. Thanks for watching. Cheers!

[@jasminelouisefarrall]

So exciting when we see our seedlings 🌱 growing

[@HookedandRooted]

Its SO much fun Jasmine, isn't it?!

[@msmaddox2918]

I love the wintersowing method Steph! It's so easy! I've even used it for tomatoes and it works very well. Great video and step by step instructions! 😊

[@HookedandRooted]

Thanks so much Mary! It really is a great method. I have enjoyed it very much over the last few years. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@Terri_Stauffer]

I winter sowed for the first time last year. Those plants looked much healthier then the ones I started indoors, not leggy and reaching. Getting ready to start some this year.

[@HookedandRooted]

Great to hear Terri. I'm glad Winter Sowing was succesful for you. I'm getting ready to set some up this weekend. Its going to be cold, so its a perfect gardening activity for the basement. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@sydneykasmar]

Thanks for this quick guide to winter sowing. It's the perfect lengrh for sharing with friends who are new to it.

[@HookedandRooted]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you! 🌱

[@BDTravelFoodVlog]

Nice & informative vlog share

[@HandcraftedintheFoothills]

This looks incredibly easy! I may have to try this method this year. Thank you

[@HookedandRooted]

Your welcome! Its fun to try even with just a couple of containers to see how you like it. Take care!

[@candicespencer2021]

Thanks for the extra info on how you do this!!!!

[@HookedandRooted]

You are so welcome Candice!

[@annaizak8639]

I collected a lot of bottles to start my winter sowing. I started with lubin, scabious and dame rocket. I was just wondering if I should cover my bottles for the night when temperatures dropped down to 0 F? All the instructions I get from you, Steph. Your videos are the most informative and easy to follow. Thanks a million, since I really don’t have a place in my house for trays wing heating mats, and growing light. 😘👍

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Anna! Your very welcome. As for covering the bottles, you would only need to do that after your seeds germinate and you then have "seedlings 🌱", at that point if you were to get a frost or deep freeze, yes I would throw a blanket or burlap over them until temps go back to normal. But you dint have to worry about covering anything unless you have germinated seedlings and a frost. Otherwise just let them be outside in the cold.

[@michellefrance1165]

Still collecting my containers almost ready probably in a couple weeks, first time doing it so hopefully I will be successful! Great video as always 😊

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Michelle! You can winter sow more as you get more containers. No rules. Winter Sowing with Elizabeth also has a video on her channel on how to winter sow in plastic baggies. So many ways to do it. I just have loved the jugs, and they have worked well for me. Thank you so much for watching, and for your comment.

[@TheProCut17]

neat method, thanks for sharing

[@HookedandRooted]

Your very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@PlantRelated]

thank you so much or sharing in your experience, im getting duct tape because i had packing tape in the shopping cart! thank you!!!!!

[@zielonerabaty]

Ohh That's a great method!

[@HookedandRooted]

It really is. Thanks so much for watching.

[@jodyvollmer4125]

Do I need to put a drainage tool in the bottom of the container?

[@robynmoxham4255]

Yes! Need drainage holes 😊

[@jackieruprecht3588]

Thank you for the motivation Steph. I recently just found a potting mix from Lowes. Its the store product called " Sta-Green" 25qts, but comes compressed about the size of a bread box. Feeds up to 6months. Have you tried it, if not I'll share my results for the Winter Sowing in a couple of months. $9.99 a bag

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Jackie, I haven't tried the compressed sta green potting mix, but have definitely used their blue bag potting mix in the summer. It works well, just as well as many of the other bagged potting mixes. Please do share your results!

[@jackieweber3662]

Wow, can't wait to try this. Thanks for the instructions. Now I just need some recycled containers. Ha ha. Can I start any seed like this? Thanks so much!!

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Jackie, Yes most seeds are great candidates for WS'ing. Start hardy perrenials first, then cool season (spring) veggies, herbs, and flowers. Then finally about a couple weeks before your last frost date, you start warm season annuals, veggies, and herbs.

[@jackieweber3662]

@@HookedandRooted thanks, delphiniums?

[@karenschwartz5209]

Thanks!

[@HookedandRooted]

Your very welcome Karen!

[@ruth8268]

Hi Steph! Great to see this condensed version of WS. Just wondering if you have ever had issues with critters? Meaning raccoons, opossums, etc. bothering your containers while outside?

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Ruth! I thought it would be helpful to have a "quick start" guide to add to my Winter Sowing Playlist. No issue with critters. So far so good. Are you finding that with yours? The only thing I dealt with were slugs getting into my drainage holes and damaging some of my seedlings. But I am not placing them on my crushed stones in the veggie garden, instead of placing them on the dirt in the raised beds. Seems to help.

[@ruth8268]

@@HookedandRooted I appreciate your info on the slugs. I don't have my containers out yet. I will let you know after I get them outside if anything disturbs them.

[@jeanne819]

Thank you for the great video! I am in NY 20 degrees today Jan 2024. What seeds can I start in the house now ? I have many small yogurt containers solid I don't even know my zone ! Thanks much

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi there, wow, its been so cold here in the northeast. Depends what your looking to start. You can enter the seeds your interested in into google and it will tell you how long before your last frost date to begin the seeds. This info is also listed on the back of the seed packets for reference. To find your zone, plug in your zip code here: planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

[@jeanne819]

@@HookedandRootedthanks so much and wishing you a wonderful day ❤

[@realstatistician]

Great video! How many weeks does this usually set you ahead? I think an unheated greenhouse can stay up to 10’ F warmer than the outside temperature, so that would basically be putting you one zone higher. I’d bet this is equal or maybe slightly warmer.

[@HookedandRooted]

Hello! I don't think that this method puts me ahead of the growing season. However, it does let you start seeds outdoor without needing indoor equipment to start seeds. When you set them outside to grow in the elements in these small greenhouses you create, you are letting the seeds grow when nature signals the seeds its time to germinate. You do get stronger/hardier seedlings since they are growing in the elements and will not require hardening off. I do find that my tomato and pepper seedlings are quite small when I open up my containers after all chance of frost has passed. However, they do catch up to nursery bought plants very fast once planted out. I hope this answers your question 🌱

[@realstatistician]

@@HookedandRooted Thanks! That’s good to know.

[@monikamona5271]

Is it possible to grow tomatoes with this method in zone 6b?

[@HookedandRooted]

Yes. The seedlings will be small, but catch up in no time. It works great for tomatoes.

[@HedyBeil-pp4lt]

Curious if snapdragons seeds can be winter sown? Is there a list of seeds that are good for this method?

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi there! Yes, they can be. While I've done it, I find that they never really get going in time to bloom before it gets too hot for them. Snapdragons prefer cooler temps. But I have planted them out and then you can wait for late summer, early fall blooms once it cools off. Also if they overwinter, they will be ready to bloom the following spring 🌱

[@debbieholst3720]

Hi thx for all the info. Do you plant everything? Just asking because I keep getting mixed messages. Can I sow Zinna’s now? I am in zone 8a

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Debbie, No zinnias now unless you are close to your last frost date in your zone 8a. I'm in zone 6b and my last frost date isn't until April 22nd. So I would wait until at least this point to sow some zinnias. They do well direct sowing, but if you wanted to winter sow, you could try a week or 2 before your last frost date.

[@debbieholst3720]

@@HookedandRooted Thank you so much!!

[@michellemccabe6888]

Besides the two seed types you show, have you sown any other types yet this year?

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Michelle, I begin my winter sowing in my zone 6b in February. So I plan on finishing the rest of the WS containers for my perrenials this weekend.

[@paavolaprincess]

How cold do you think this method will withstand? I’m in zone 3/2b and wondering how early I could do this

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi there, I think any area with a winter can use this method. You can likely start later, i.e., March or so vs. December. Then, the seeds will germinate when the weather is appropriate for the type of seed. Hope this helps.

[@paavolaprincess]

@@HookedandRooted the next two nights are still going to be below 0 degrees Fahrenheit so maybe I’ll wait until later this week

[@PamEla-tz9wc]

Do you have to water these or do you just count on rain?

[@HookedandRooted]

You water them when you initially set them up. Then once you seal them, you leave the caps off, and let the weather water them, rain/snow etc. However, if its been dry where you are, you may have to water periodically. You just don't want your containers to dry out.