Proven Winter Sowing Hacks: Grow Your Best Garden This Year!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Be sure to check out all my Winter Sowing ideas and inspirations: kzbin.info/aero/PLxoCLUnRsgdUJFdJDilEJQC7zk4RahwGm 🥶❄☃

[@KayliePatrick]

I love the idea of the tote for the winter sowing container! Are you drilling holes for water to get in or just lifting and watering as needed?

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Once watered and put into the tub with the lid you don't need to water that often as there is very little evaportation. And when it is buried in snow it actually does get some condensation inside. When it is not buried in snow I will lift the lid and let it air out now and again to help mitigate fungus growing and the one with the overturned tub on top of the soil, well the soil around gets wet and it just wicks to where the plant roots are. No need for me to water especially when we are getting rain and snow.

[@dustyflats3832]

😆I had a nursery bed and like you things tend to take it over. By using this method it eliminates jug collection. With winter sow there is a lot of thinking when we consider the weather-mainly temperatures. I have seen over the years various different ways people do winter sowing and some not so successful. I think what is happening to some that are not successful is the balance of heat and moisture. The individual pots in clear tubs seemed to dry out or there was too much air compared to soil balance and didn’t create that greenhouse affect. What I discovered the last 2 years is the winters have been way too warm and seeds germinated too soon and then the temps dove down and they froze. One year I think the seeds rotted as it rained instead of snowed. Last year I set the jugs on the east side of house and waited until late February and March to set them out. Once the spring temps stabilized I moved them to south exposure. This method worked. Then after observing all this I’ve been thinking of just using a cold frame/nursery. The difference is it’s not vented and water is not allowed-BUT, if I covered with a lid that had holes it might work.🧐🤷‍♀️. Or get an auto vent and remember to water. By using the nursery method you showed it would Be The Best as there is no collecting, cutting, taping of jugs-WIN🎉🎉 Jugs are convenient when planting seedlings out, but it would be nice to eliminate all those steps with just using a nursery bed. I do know that whatever way I choose I will start winter sow closer to spring. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, celery do need an earlier start in my Z5a garden so will still do those inside. Thanks for getting my gears rolling in thinking what I will do this year. I have a couple small raised bed squares I was given and will fill those up and find some old windows or some type of covering and try that this year. The best rutabagas I ever grew were from seed that dropped from the plant from year before-Ta-Da! There the seedlings were all ready for me to transplant. I definitely need to up my game on open pollinated vegetable varieties and have the garden start itself like those rutabagas did-it was the best! I am not sure I can get my greenhouse reconstructed in time and I don’t want to rush and mess it up as I’m adding a heat sink to floor. The ground is freezing and the temps are bouncing and all depends on the temperature. I hope I can get it done as I prefer to keep that seed starting mess outside 🙄. Thanks Pam! Enjoyed the info!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

I know you will love your greenhouse with the heatsink for sure. Yes, having the right spot for the jugs is key. I know the year before last when we had the excessive snow fall many of my winter sowing jugs were crushed and did not produce, it was a complete waste of my time. I don't need that many seeds started to really warrant the effort in cutting and poking holes into the jugs this year so I will go the easier route this time around. Since I am FORCING myself not to start as many seeds indoors I will have plenty of room to start just what I really want to try this year.

[@dustyflats3832]

@ so True as I’m not starting as many flower seedlings this year because I need to figure out how last years will perform. Probably more direct sow annuals. I was thinking of trying Lisianthis inside just to say I did. I do have to try that Verbena Bonariensis and Rose Campion I’ve seen in your garden. I’m hoping to have enough restraint in the vegetable sowing 😅 you know the seeds are so tiny until they are not 😂.

[@user-rosesroses]

Always helpful. Ty

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

You are most welcome.

[@lisahorner6384]

Lovely video as always ❤. Thank you for all your advice and tips!!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

You’re welcome, I am glad you found it helpful!

[@nitastacy8325]

Thanks so much for this! I’ve wanted to do some winter sewing, but was like I have no place to get milk jugs. But oh, I can easily get a couple of containers now I’m gonna go see your list of what sort of seats I should start your videos are always so informative. Thank you❤

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

You're welcome, I am glad you found it helpful!

[@soniewhitten4844]

thank you for sharing. enjoyed the video very much. i'm going to try this. it seems to be much faster and better than the water jugs. thanks again. hope you have a great day!!!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

You're welcome, I hope you have great success with it!

[@LivingInTheLastDays]

I’ll be trying this this year. Just fyi the winter solstice is 12/21.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Thanks, yep it is always between the 21 and the 23. Looking forward to the days lengthening again!

[@bjbrown6488]

My favorite containers are milk and water jugs. I've had great success here in western Colorado Zone 7a, a 4800 ft altitude valley in the Rocky Mountains. January is my best time after Christmas during the lull of winter. 🫥 I enjoy your videos, love your greenhouse, thank you.😊

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Those are my favorites too when I am doing it. So easy and even though we don't use much milk my nephews do and I get them from my sister. 😁

[@bjbrown6488]

Same here Pam, I get them from my daughter along with some water jugs😊

[@jenmv3483]

Same here, zone 10b. I primarily use seed trays but when I run out, I use the transluscent vinegar jugs are great and FREE

[@gracieshomeandgardens5089]

That's a great idea.❤❤😊

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

You are welcome, I am glad you found it helpful!

[@gracieshomeandgardens5089]

@FlowerPatchFarmhouse I might do the same..I normally use any plastic or any Pots that ledr behind and just cover with some plastic on top and also works.but this is genius.😊❄

[@grizoswald210]

Very good video. Great suggestion to try the plastic containers rather then just using the milk or water jugs. Do the plastic bins need to have any drainage or air holes drilled into them?

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

I don't bother with drilling holes. It is so easy to keep anything inside moist as it is like a terrarium and I do lift the lid to let them air out from time to time when I have the bin closed up to mitigate fungus. But then I am lazy, many will drill holes. 😇 by not drilling I can turn them back into storage bins if I want.

[@jdakat88]

❤

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

I appreciate your heart!

[@brendahayes3365]

With milk cartons you leave the lid off for moisture to get in and put holes in the bottom for drainage. Your large containers don’t provide either? Am I missing something? I winter sow every year with jugs and have great success 🤷🏻‍♀️ Thanks Pam

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Great question. You will note that the edges of the bed are open which allows the moisture to get into the soil, it will keep them moist enough. Inside the container, once you have moistened the soil it doesn't dry out much. You can lift the lid and check on the pots intermittently if you wish. I have had success with jugs too but this year I don't want the extra work of prepping the containers. I know the tub container over the bed works great and is quicker and easier. I am hoping to go ahead and put a hoop over the entire bed to utilize more of the space and even then, I don't worry about moisture as the soil wicks what it needs from surrounding areas and the cover keeps it all inside sort of like a terrarium does. You are most welcome.