The MOST Important Gardening Task (In Winter)

Gardening shouldn't stop just because it's cold outside. Gardener Scott discusses important activities to do in winter to help ensure gardening success in summer. (Video #414)
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[@carladelagnomes]

And, in addition. 20 minutes a day outside - even in the cold- is good for the body and mind...

[@sunnyseacat6857]

I aim for two hours for sure and sometimes get three hours in. It's invigorating and a perfect way to continue getting some sun and vitamin D.

[@FrozEnbyWolf150]

Winter is also the best time of year to get your deciduous trees trimmed. The leaves have long since fallen off, so the shape and structure of the branches will be more visible, and they will weigh considerably less. When the arborist chips up the branches, keep the woodchips to use as mulch, which will protect your soil and any perennials you may have.

[@dustyflats3832]

Lol! Our oaks except 2 are stubborn and keep their leaves. I bet after the last 2 wet snow falls they wish they had dropped them.😆

[@TheSamba37]

@@dustyflats3832 Oaks don't drop their leaves in Fall like other trees. They don't create an abscission layer like other leaf-dropping deciduous trees, so instead the leaves can hold on until the next year's buds push them off the tree. This is normal.

[@Autism_Forever]

I am trying to make it illegal to use tree shredders in residential areas in my city. They generate noise close to 100 Db. Noise sensitive Autistic people, including myself, have been repeatedly and brutally harmed by that noise. If my city refuses to change regulations, I will sue them for violation of our disability rights. If you must use tree shredder, which I do not at all recommend, make sure you are not harming your neighbors.

[@dustyflats3832]

@@TheSamba37 then I have a few abnormal because they drop them all. One is young and the other old. Wish the others would follow along.

[@dustyflats3832]

@@Autism_Forever I hope you have luck in the city. I’m in the country and have a neighbor with adult children running mini bikes. I know how disturbing noise can be, as we just got rid of squatters with super loud music. I can’t imagine on a city block if everyone had a chipper and ran them whenever. They are loud. That booming car music rattled in the house and I know the tension. I need more acreage to get away from crazies.

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

After the hubub of Christmas is over it Used to be so calming yet mood elevating to sit at the table with my seed boxes and catalogs. Before the fabrics were chosen for the spring/ summer wardrobes ,before the spring break to Florida choosing the plants was restorative to my very soul., And on the drive back from the south I began gearing up to put all of my winter seed dreams to work. Happy memories of days gone by. Thank you Scott for the trip down memories lane.

[@magenta4443]

The weather is dreary, but I focus on how the days will start getting longer in another week. The months are passing quickly and soon it will be March/April/May to start planting and cultivating again. Thank you, Gardner Scott, for this nicely focused video. It is wonderful to plan our next garden adventure in the Winter.

[@robinham2796]

We have worked almost as hard putting our garden to bed for the winter as summer and spring!!! Mulched leaves, Layers of them, working in the compost bins, Getting chickens ready for the cold, Looking at my wonderful Greenhoise and simply can’t wait!’ My happy place!💚💚💚💚💚

[@Markephillips77]

Sitting here in snowy Minnesota excitedly going through my seed packets and deciding what to grow next year! It will be my second year gardening and my first seriously trying to grow peppers so I’m nervously excited!

[@WYO_Dirtbag]

Watching this in WY. 4 days of straight bad winds with 2 more days forecasted. Dreaming of what I can plant this spring. Not only for the vegetable garden but fruit trees, shade trees, shrubs, and evergreens. As soon as it's 40 degrees, sunny, and no longer windy I can get back outside and continue the cleanup of the dead elms and plan the garden extension.

[@yennyjen5742]

I am northeast wyoming.. We can’t plant until May 😢

[@farmermarshall]

Fortunately, I'm in the south so I still have a garden full of brassicas (collards, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower, and green onions. Should be really cold this weekend but my garden will be okay. Time to prune my fruit trees and plan for my Spring/Summer garden.

[@Jeff-rd6hb]

Perfect timing! My garden looks about the same as yours, and I've been going through my boxes of seeds to plan what I'll grow next season. It's funny you've got empty packets. So do I. I do this on purpose as a reminder that I grew those seeds before & liked them, so I need to restock.

[@lorindav5549]

I have edited my seeds this fall too and donated the ones that don't suit my tastes or space. My garden is small so I had to cull deeply and be completely honest with myself about what we will actually eat. Another family was Thrilled with those seeds. I hope that they do well for them this coming year. My peppers also did very well in 2022. I saved seeds from the largest specimens from the Lemon Spice and Pumpkin Spice Jalapenos. Fingers crossed that I can increase the size of the peppers this coming year. My hot peppers were significantly hotter this year that in previous years.

[@brian752]

At 19 degrees you'd have to get a team of horses to drag me outside! lol

[@charlesdevier8203]

I will take many of the seeds that are getting too old and the ones I do not like and pour them together in a bag to add to my cover crop seeds.

[@maureenodonnell9600]

Hello Gardener Scott, cloudy, cold day here in Bayfield, Co. I kept a journal through this season and ordered seeds from Seed Savers. My San Marzano and Burpee keeper tomatoes were tasteless, so I ordered Black Krio and Amish paste for next summers garden. You inspired me to keep a journal and it certainly paid off. My seeds arrived 5 days after I put in my order, woohoo! Great video, great advice. Happy gardening!

[@dustyflats3832]

Lol, I just commented on the tasteless San Marzanos. I had the keepers, but planted too late. I also will be trying Amish Paste and Black Krim and several others. I’m going back to Brandy wines. Had an Ox heart one year and that was flavorful as well. My husband just mentioned how it feels so late at 5 pm. I said, “Chin Up! Winter Solstice is a few days away!”

[@Mary-uz2tz]

Oh no! Dont say SNOW! Here is Alaska we are getting more snow than in twenty years. I generally like snow,. But enough is enough and it isn't even January yet. Got another 14" last night bringing me up to over 4' in two weeks. Cannot even see where my garden is supposed to be. At least my garlic and asparagus are well blanketed!❄️❄️❄️❄️ Warm here today at 29 degrees. Good snowi g temperature. ☃️

[@brianseybert2189]

God bless you. I complain about 6" of snow.

[@cheyennegerih5937]

Share please lol we could sure use a foot or more for how dry we are from this summer!! 😀

[@brianseybert2189]

@@cheyennegerih5937 I feel the same way. Have not had any sump pump water in 2 years.

[@emptynestgardens9057]

So that's where Canada's snow went to. 😁

[@n.g.r.8911]

We've had maybe 2 inches so far this season in metro milwaukee.

[@Autism_Forever]

The most important winter task for the garden: build giant heated dome encompassing entire garden so there is no more winter :))) Every year breaks my heart watching plants freeze to death. If I had the cash, I would totally build the dome :)

[@smas3256]

Don't you just cut them down to ground level, chop them up to let them compost in place? Cover with brown leaves, ashes water each layer except the ashes, then cover with a clear plastic or tarp.

[@jaytoney3007]

OMG! I'm doing it wrong. LOL. Most of my raised beds are full of thriving plants that I am harvesting from. Next week, the weather forecast is for record breaking cold weather, into the low teens-too cold for central Alabama. All of my raised beds have fiberglass hoops, and are covered with 6 mil greenhouse plastic. Most of my (exposed) grow bags have freeze hardy plants growing in them, Late Nagasaki Cabbage, Chijimisai, Yod Fah, garlic, and Parsley. The lettuce, endive, and radishes surviving is questionable. I am sure to lose some of my kohlrabi-it is a good thing I have more growing in my raised beds. Next month, I am adding a 10x12 polytunnel greenhouse to my garden. I'll be better prepared for cold weather next year. My spring garden is already planned out. All that is left to purchase is Albion Strawberries.

[@heidiclark6612]

This is a very timely video! I have started my planning for next season. It all starts with winter sowing some seeds. Then getting the small greenhouse in my garage ready. I learned a lot from you this year as always. I learned a lot from my garden as well.

[@jenbear8652]

I put a small greenhouse in my garage this year too! They did ok, but still got leggy

[@shdwbnndbyyt]

As long as it does not get too cold, it is a great time to dig up and transport the chicken poo from your coops to the composting spots and replace the bedding material... fewer flies, less stink....

[@jercasgav]

Scott thanks for your practical gardening info from a gardener in southern Colorado.

[@sunnyseacat6857]

Gardening is a journey. It is a year long activity Winter is a humble and relaxing time for reviewing the previous summer's successes or challenges, getting a new gardening journal, organizing seed packets and seed trays for indoor planting soon, figuring out what materials to use and build a new gate that will accomodate a wheelbarrow on a tight angle (making the opening larger than normal) and finish painting my gardening sign. Also, flowers would be a terrific addition but where to plant them and flowers that will attract insects that will joyously eat every squash bug possible!

[@Jimmy-wd5nk]

Thanks for teaching us (me) how to evaluate the plant growing progress. Also how you separated your seeds from what you had on hand, and what you actually planted. Keep warm and enjoy looking at the seed catalogs.

[@allangoodger969]

Here in Australia we are dealing with snow as well. This is madness snow in the first month of summer!!!!😬🥶🥶🥶😬

[@sunnyseacat6857]

"Grand Solar Minimum" (GSM) is here. Variable temps globally happening now; temps will continue to become erradict. Crop losses globally has started therefore price increases in food stores, other household items, and gardening items including seeds. Food distribution (via trucks) will be impacted greatly as storms increase. Get use to it all. Many videos on KZbin about what a Grand Solar Minimum is and how to prepare. YT interviews about the GSM: John L Casey (these interviews are very good, older talks, excellent books) Anita Bailey, PhD (excellent interviews with Ice Age Farmer and Adapt 2030, great book, too) Interviews on Adapt 2030's channel. Preparation in all aspects of gardening is the key. Plant and store as much as possible.

[@brianseybert2189]

Even though I go out in the garden daily, this is the time of year to plan for the next growing season. I'm still in the process of cleaning flower seeds for next year. I really miss the feel of the sun in my face, now I sit and watch the birds. Even though moving snow is not as easy for me as it used to be, I am grateful. Our snow levels have been so low over the past few years, the soils dry out. Last year in central WI we only received 19" of snow. This year we are already at 11" and our snowy time has not even begun. Climate change also changes our plans in the garden for next year. I need to conserve more water, I can pay for it, but in so many ways, collecting it is so much better. As I look at my barren garden, I think of next year and the abundance that it will produce.

[@dustyflats3832]

Don’t know if you did this or can, but some put in a separate meter for water so they only pay for incoming water. I know my SIL was a bit taken back by her water bill. She just moved and has a sunny yard that she can garden in plus didn’t replace washer yet with low usage, but I guess it was an eye opener. My sis also mentioned the high cost of water earlier this year and she has only a few flowers.

[@brianseybert2189]

@@dustyflats3832 Unfortunately, our water bill is also tied to sewer usage. I found this out years ago when I put in a garden in Baraboo using drip lines. My water bill almost doubled. There is no way to separate garden water from household water usage. Hopefully I get some sump pump water this spring for the garden.

[@dustyflats3832]

@@brianseybert2189 yes, in Sauk they have put in separate water meter for outside because normally they get charged like you say, for incoming and outgoing. The separate meter for garden is incoming charge only. Unless they don’t allow it anymore?

[@brianseybert2189]

@@dustyflats3832 I will have to check that out. I'm sure they would charge for a second line, not sure if it would be cost efficient or not.

[@dustyflats3832]

@@brianseybert2189 they probably would charge for 2nd meter, but I would think it should be cost saving. I just read I think Milwaukee is raising sewage fee.

[@greensmash]

I recommend Silver Bell Squash.

[@michaelboom7704]

I really liked the plastic seed storing box! Yes I often mentally go over gardening during these cold days!

[@ScottHead]

I've been missing the Monday live streams due to life's curve balls, and need me some Gardener Scott lessons. Good to see this one today. Merry Christmas my friend!

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Scott. Merry Christmas to you!

[@krussell9995]

Looking through seed catalogs just makes my heart happy. It's even better when I'm looking with my mom and sister 😊

[@kmiller6002]

Gardener Scott... I Absolutely LOVE your channel and I've learned so much from you. I'm sitting here, just recently out of the hospital looking through my Baker's Creek catalog and anticipating my garden for next year 🙂🙂.. Merry Christmas to All and God Bless you and your families from middle GA 🙏 Kendra

[@thomasallen531]

where I live in zone 7b in eastern NC, gardening is 4 seasons. I just harvested some broccoli yesterday and did a bunch of weeding in my garlic beds. The week after Christmas I plan on digging some Jerusalem artichokes and pickling them and to prune all my fruit trees.

[@thomasallen531]

@user-si8pu8nm6r wow the fishing/spammer scams are getting worse on KZbin i guess they want to keep up with Twitter since it kicked up a few notches on the bots after Musk took over.

[@samanthahohl191]

Thank you for the awesome flower ideas! All three look absolutely stunning 😍

[@C-TOS]

I am growing butter lettuce from scraps I got from Costco, they love the cool air.

[@jirinasatavova4062]

It's winter so I'm back to your videos. Will I learn something again?? I believe so.

[@phild8095]

I'm still turning compost. In a while we sill start growing some sweet potatoes on shelves in the enclosed back porch. Then tomatoes and peppers. Fermenting is ongoing. It is almost time to start making the "smell of death" deer and rabbit repellent.

[@jenbear8652]

Is that a version of “bone sauce “? How do you make it?

[@phild8095]

@@jenbear8652 eggs, yougurt, hot peppers, garlic, stale beer, high speed blended in water and aged. If you have access to bloodmeal, add that as well. Age it until it smells like death warmed over. Filter it and spray it around the garden.

[@Yankeesista203]

I still have fall plants under 2 cover growing slow but growing! I will get out there 1 to 2 times a week and check for aphids but other than sporadic harvesting I'm in the catalogs! Reorganized my seeds, set up my grow station, cleaning pots and canning! I'm good! The hits will stay and the not so goods will go! It's fun!!!! Blessings Gardener Scott!

[@dustyflats3832]

Wow! Your cruising! I’ve ordered most of the seed and did the same and kicked out the no goes. And your canning yet? Wow! Here in WI I also have 2 covered beds, but the lettuce, beets and kohlrabi couldn’t take it anymore, the carrots are hanging in there, but sure not growing much. The heavy extremely wet snows we’ve had started to cave in that and some low fences. Need to do a quick inspection of things tomorrow before Sunday as we are expecting teens in day with single digits at night. I was hoping to just winter sow, but I think the onions, peppers and tomatoes need inside start-sigh! I will test some in jugs to see, but looks like I need to dig out the trays after seeing the price of onion plants. I’m looking for a couple of varieties of seed yet and then it’s off to drool over the fruit stock 🤤. Fun times!

[@smas3256]

@@dustyflats3832 Have you tried starting onions from the root end of an onion?

[@finch1ct]

I use an excel spreadsheet to track everything. When did I start inside, when did they sprout, when did I start to harden, when did I plant. Anything particular bad about the weather during the growing season, first fruit and how it was. Love excel!

[@eliandkate]

Great advice for us all, and timely. This is definitely the season of garden planning and gardening learning :D

[@ericlivingston8027]

I also have found fall/winter to be a great time to pre-order perennial bushes/trees. There are cultivars I can only find online like honey babe genetic dwarf peach that I can only get online and not from a local nursery. There are certain plants my local nursery will just not sell because of patent usage too like pluots I can get online. Also if you just want to save money it is worth buying online in the fall/winter and getting them in the spring. Around here in the Denver metro area I get a tree and it will be over 120 dollars or I can get the same tree for 30 dollars online. You have to order in the fall or winter for these things though as the summer is too hot and they often send them bare root.

[@33rcarley90]

I love how your garden looks gardener scott. Even when its covered in snow.

[@lauramccament1381]

Love the idea of saving the seed packets, makes a super easy reference as to exactly what it was. I might get a photo pocket album to save them in.

[@karenyhogan5196]

Thank you for your guide, now have better idea what need to plan for my spring gardening. Along with starting more seed starts. Find other produce for next year.

[@k.p.1139]

For Christmas, I got 2 of the storage boxes and 4 - three ring binders with seed saving sleeves,... 😃 I spent a couple of hours going through them and organizing. It was so much fun. I even found "oppsie" packs, that I double ordered..which will be going to my BFF...shhhh it's a secret..

[@deborahcaldwell9775]

Oh hO I just popped back in here to tell you that yesterday I planted an organic pumpkin seed from a pumpkin I bought from a neighboring farm (I have roasted it in the oven and saved about 12 seeds). Anyway, I put one of them in some coffee./chocolate grounds from my morning brew and put one or two in an empty duck egg shell, and put the shell in a little pot -by itself with no soil- on the windowsill in the kitchen ha, ha ha I wonder what will happen

[@quantafitness6088]

I do not keep seeds from annuals that I do not intend to grow for the coming season. Every packet in my box has to have a "job" for the coming season. And by job I mean a place in the sowing planning I make in a spreadsheet. Otherwise, the seeds are passed on to someone else. No use in keeping seeds that lose viability.

[@rickthelian2215]

Now to date them in seeding and direct sowing order

[@joycedagostino8869]

I always keep garden notes each year plus take pictures of as many in the garden that I can and it's very helpful. Good to know about the firecracker vine, will have to try that one. Grew one test plant of the Unicorn tomato, nice little cherry type and good flavor but not as outstanding as Sungold, but might try a few of them again this upcoming year. We love Kellogg's Breakfast tomato, it can take a long time to mature in my area but great flavor too. It's always fun to start buying seeds for the new season. I buy some mini ziploc bags from the craft store and when I open a packet, I put in any unused seeds into the bags and slide them back into the packet so they don't spill out and remain with the packet information. I'm in zone 6B and in the Denver, CO area.

[@sunnyseacat6857]

Wouldn't plastic attract/cause moisture to form in plastic? I bought paper bags for this years upcoming seeds. I keep unused seeds in the once-opened packet, then put the packet into the paper bag and label the paper bag with a marker.

[@peterstevens6555]

Good morning, it’s Friday, 9:01 AM, December 16, 2022 …here in Auckland, New Zealand …and it Spring here as well …🙂🙂🙂

[@GardenerScott]

Enjoy your growing, Peter.

[@anniecochrane3359]

Thank you! This was a very timely video for me. Its summer here, and I've done my spring planting, seed sowing etc, and have filed my packets back into my seed box ( case for potos). I should have left out the packets I sowed as you do as I've already lost some of the markers in the garden, and am not sure which varieties of cabbage I planted. So i'll try to do that now, and then review them in winter as you do. Great idea!!! Veges grow here during winter also, - I start the seed sowing in february for autumn and winter, so i'll make sure I put packets into the box for review next late winter and early spring. Thanks again!!!!!

[@hondosmith8234]

I tried your shishito peppers last year had 4 plants loved the peppers grilled according to your video and made some of the sauce also those 4 plants made enough peppers for me and many others I would recommend jimmy nardello peppers if you haven’t already tried them but I cooked them with the shishitos and they are similar but with a little milder and sweeter flavor profile.

[@dustyflats3832]

Good to know, doing the JNs next year. Heard a lot of good things and sounds like they may be good for making paprika.

[@CocoNaty]

You seriously have an amazing channel! I like to sit down with a cup of tea planning my Winter garden while listening to your videos. it’s really relaxing and peaceful. But also very exciting to plan along side another avid gardener getting ready for the next season in my garden. Thank you so much for sharing -Natalia from Florida!

[@Khalinjai]

Such a great video, I'm also the type that makes notes on my phone during the growing season to see how everything does, from seed to harvest this gives me a good idea of what to expect next year. And since i love trying many diffrent varities I made a grading list that i keep up to date with my household and this helps me to choose what to grow and what specific trades to look for. Making a list like this can really help :) bit early but thanks for the videos this year and a early merry christmas :)

[@matthewfriday2979]

Excellent advice and an excellent video... nice to watch as I sit here inside whilst we are under a blizzard warning!

[@sharonloves]

Thank you. So refreshing. I have been doing the same.

[@JulesGardening]

Great ideas Scott. We do the same thing, basically. We have our "always" plants and then tinker with new stuff just to see. One never knows unless they grow it themself. Happy New Year.

[@Gandoff2000]

Excellent suggestions! I am planning for my tiny "micro garden" for next year. A small raised bed in my back yard. I am learning for when I move to another location where I can have a "real" garden. I was surprised at how much there is to learn. I'm liking it!

[@scottstewart6260]

I’m still bucket growing leaf greens here in zone 6A greenhouse. Hopefully I’ll be able to keep my kale and swiss chard buckets alive til spring

[@dwaynewladyka577]

Very good and practical information here. Thanks for sharing this. I hope you have a Merry Christmas. Cheers, Scott! ✌️

[@curtdunlap6818]

Definitely a good time to plan, but garden bed prep for the Winter and for Spring should already be underway. It's single digit temps with a good ice coating here in central PA and I have all of these piles of leaf sculptures from what I've gathered in the Fall and an ice garden that has no blankie! Just waiting for that January thaw to try to get that taken care of now! Happy holidays, GS!

[@lbf5984]

I dug up my trinidad scorpion at the end of the season... put it in a pot and it is very happy!

[@wallybruns4035]

I've watched many of your videos throughout the year. Today I will take the plunge and subscribe. Better late than never. I like your Q and A on Mondays too.

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Wally.

[@deborahcaldwell9775]

This video of yours is FUN Thanks

[@Barrell60]

Thank you

[@RCPrepping]

Here is central Florida USA zone 9b we garden 365 days a year. However, we don't have four seasons. We have two. Summer and February.

[@pisanhinativepisanmona2215]

Hello from England! I subscribed after 2 great videos on greenhouses! Thank you very much for all !

[@GardenerScott]

Hello! Welcome to the channel.

[@IAmSherry12]

1st time seeing your channel. I really appreciated this video - Winter is an exciting time for me as far as gardening goes. I get so excited about next year's garden and start planning where I'll put things and also combing through catalogs and buying seeds. thank you merry Christmas and happy new year

[@cindynielson4231]

I love to plan for next year. We had deer eating our Anaheim and Big Jim green chilis, first time ever. So I need to plant and protect the peppers next year. We use a lot of green chilis. I have been trying to get more milkweed for the Monarchs growing, so many projects to plan for. TFS 👍

[@flexxy_is_here]

this was very helpful! I was just about to plan my next summer garden but I wasn't sure of what to do and how I can make it better. for next years summer garden I plan on growing more peppers because I successfully grew lots of tomatoes this year harvest, and the only problem I had this year was aphids so I'm going to use more natrul ways to get rid of them since pesticides didnt work. cant wait to get growing soon!

[@Gkrissy]

I’m reading through my seed savers catalog as you mentioned it in the video lol😂. I plan to mitigate potential drought issues by starting my seeds early and installing drip in 1-2 beds to test it out. I also plan to buy a kumquat and more dwarf fruit trees

[@smas3256]

We don't have a well, town restrictions. Grrr. We have a rain barrow. When placed at the corner of house and the down gutter cut above it to catch the rain, it takes 1/4 inch of rain to fill it. After last year's drought I'd like one by my shed too for the compost back there. Just an idea. Fruit trees are a great investment. Research the pit fall and watch many videos for success. Good luck.

[@francesbatycki404]

Lucifer’s House of Heat on the BC coast has a fantastic selection of peppers! From mild to killer hot. Love them. Fast delivery to. I’ve ordered hot sauces for a Christmas present. Forward!

[@adampetherick6266]

Try the little lunch box peppers

[@ieatiron]

God i hate winter, why my forefathers thought Sweden was a good settling place... I do not know. Thanks for the inspiration 😌

[@janetmacdonald2823]

Austin Texas area has l o n g summers with many days 100° Fahrenheit if you want to experience the other extreme. I've only just brought in the tropicals, bananas, coffee and such.

[@dustyflats3832]

😂

[@ieatiron]

I can barely grow pears here and a few typer of apples. I have to smear them in sheepfat to keep the moose from devouring the trees haha I will probably move to somewhere move forgiving later in life! It would be crazy to grow bananas.

[@cherylhowker1792]

It’s been that here in the uk. And I’m 32 years old and never known it below -3

[@marvinmulford2536]

My garden is under 14 inches of snow!

[@roserizzo3094]

I'm planning out winter sowing and loving it!

[@dustyflats3832]

I just tried WS last year and loved it! Have you tried peppers, tomatoes and onions? Z5a don’t think I would have enough growth and will need to test some and do main starts inside as I can’t take the chance.

[@kittiew260]

I had huge success with annual Flowers and seeds that need stratification. My herbs did ok but hot weather veggies were super slow to get going and then they got hit frost and died. I will definitely be doing winter sowing again mainly for companion Flowers and herbs.

[@dustyflats3832]

@@kittiew260 yes, did some more research and found warm weather could work for some with longer summers like Z6, any colder and many said the tomatoes were green from not enough time. They also said they have a slow start, but quickly catch up. WS is more fit for seeds that need stratification, self sow, cold hardy. Some half hardy and tender annual flowers would need protection once up. I didn’t have luck with delphinium and asters. Poppies, lavender and coneflower were great! Brassicas, chard and collards were great. I collected seed from butterfly weed as I want to add more to wildflower field. I have only one yellow one and something eats the pods so I will cage it this year. Lol, I read they don’t like to be moved, I dug some out of a path and layered at least 6” of bark and they popped up everywhere I missed a root and transplants were fine. I’m really increasing my plants-1 butterfly weed was $14!!🤑. I grew mine from seed. They love my sand. I think plants may sticker shock this year. Sigh, wish the peppers, tomatoes and onions would work in WS here, but season is too short. It’s SOW much easier to WS (🤪)

[@kittiew260]

@Dusty Flats great advice for anyone wanting to winter sow. I agree easier method but Dusty hit the nail on head, some regions don't have enough season for hot weather crops to catch up. But the method does save valuable realistate inside for specific crops. It's definitely fun to try it out though as filled that boring time when you're waiting to start indoors. I agree with you I do think plant costs will rise so trying any method to start from seed (indoors or winter sowing) will save you money.

[@dustyflats3832]

@@kittiew260 I will definitely use WS for the cold crops and most flowers. Snapdragons did well also. One thing I read was to use short DTM varieties of tomatoes and that worked. Look for varieties with key cold words in them, like mountain. The one blogger didn’t have luck with delphinium either, but said it was old seed. I would like to try them again and foxglove to change it up. Was successful with Canterbury Bells-biannual but sure were beautiful as in my pic!

[@kat6084]

I cant even walk through my garden beds right now. my raised beds are a foot tall with another foot of chicken wire & just a few inches of the wire are showing. I've been drawing out my plans & making sure I have what seeds I need.

[@dustyflats3832]

Lol, I get concerned about snow height and fences. Those marauders can still do damage in winter and the snow helps them.😬

[@lisabevans8107]

My peppers I brought inside are going crazy! Nothing like fresh peppers in winter 😊

[@smas3256]

Did bugs come in with the pepper plants? Do you have grow lights? Tent? Fan?

[@lisabevans8107]

@@smas3256 no bugs that I've noticed. I do have grow lights.

[@dustyflats3832]

My dilemma: I started 3’ wide long lasagna beds about 1+’ high. I threw soil on top from paths and filled paths with bark. I’m concerned I won’t be able to plant in them by spring as I don’t think they will be broke down enough. Is the only answer to buy soil or will I have to part the lasagna to get to dirt? I really like my sand soil and the cost of dirt…well, not enticing. I should have dug the rows down and then backfilled the lasagna, but at the time it seemed to much work as we were getting the leaf debris from neighbor before she burned it and I should have stockpiled it to use after trenches were dug. Any help is much appreciated as I have several long rows. Thanks!😊

[@smas3256]

Since we do no dig we won't have to buy soil unless we start veggies in buckets. Seed starting mix we'll be getting too.

[@diyverify6678]

I like your seed packet storage tote! Where can I find one? Thanks for your channel and expertise, I will be building a garden using a lot of your great ideas. Thank you!

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. Here's the one I have: amzn.to/3jn8T9I

[@coastalcrocus]

Really great reminder about this all important reviewing of our past effort - love your plastic file for seed storage - do you have a link for where one can be acquired?

[@GardenerScott]

I do. Here it is: amzn.to/3FUmaiu

[@bettybobzimmerman7450]

Grew unicorn last year, heavy yield red salad size tomatoes .Has a thicker skin

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks for the info. I may have to try it this year.

[@TSeaPusher]

Hi Scott, Love your videos! Where did you find the seed storage container?

[@GardenerScott]

I found it online: amzn.to/3FUmaiu

[@yennyjen5742]

Thank you for the video and ideas of what to grow. I just started some lettuce and spinach yesterday but would love to see your set up. Can tomatoes, jalapeños grow inside? How about pollination?

[@GardenerScott]

They can be grown inside. Their flowers usually self-pollinate without a need for insects.

[@dustyflats3832]

We just got done clearing this weeks 5” heavy wet snow. The trees were stressing and even though it was pretty I had to knock them about as we are going into deep freeze with some added fluff. Z5a WI. I went through my seeds earlier and knew which I definitely wouldn’t grow again and took them totally out to give away as someone else may like how they perform. One was the white currant cherry, it just doesn’t hold well, more of an eat on sight snack as I found it cracked and deteriorating before I got in the house. The other is a pole bean, I think blue lake or something, it took so long for it to develop and when they did it was pick pick pick or they became over grown and too strong of bean taste. I prefer bush beans as they were stringless and behaved themselves and could wait a day or 3 more until I could pick again without becoming monsters. I noticed the Japanese beetles love pole beans, but not at all on bush. I did like a purple pole and will try again. Now I won’t mention supplier as I don’t think that’s fair. If some variety didn’t work for me growth or taste, that is my experience or preference from my garden. Just like any review, critical thinking is needed. Nice chat as I am looking at my seed order that needs to be stored. I definitely have to get onion starts off right this year as the plants are Way too expensive. Trying many types of carrots 🥕 to see if I can find large ones that succeed. I think I have been planting the smaller varieties all this time and wondering why they don’t get big😂. Not all carrot seeds state whether they are chantey, Danvers, Nantes, imperator, etc. Going for Nantes and imperators mainly. Trying the black krim you all rave about. Switching to Amish paste and have an eye on a grape hybrid as they are suppose to resist cracking and a better oregano. Can’t believe I don’t have enough seeds yet🤣🤣 Have to dig the last of fall carrots before sub zero sets in and then it’s time to get that bare root stock sorted. I lost a honey Berry pollinator due to bad stock sent late. I’ve struggled with peach tree in past, hoping apples do better and realized I need late bloomers due to low area and spring freezes. It will be expensive, but if I want fruit in my lifetime I need to get it planted. It’s so exciting to peruse all the choices and to hear/read others reviews of what worked for them. Here’s to dreaming😄 12:56

[@brianseybert2189]

Sugar snax is a great carrot, 2nd year with them and will always be in my garden, too bad they are a hybrid. I have black krim seeds if you want to try them. They are a good tomato, harvesting them is a bit of a learning curve, they can get kinda mushy. By accident I only planted some bush beans in mid Aug and they were fantastic. Had fresh bean casserole for turkey day, yum yum. Waiting on my onion and leek seeds from Mary's Heirloom seeds. The day I get them they are going into a tray. I ordered some Amish paste tomato seed for my friend and I will grow one of them for myself. Made all my seed purchases for the year, only spent $45.00. How far would that go at the groceries store. Hope all is well.

[@eileenbartnick7202]

@@brianseybert2189 Hello! You will like the Amish Paste tomato. I grew them for the first time this year and they did fantastic! Very heavy producers and very large tomatos!! I even had enough green ones at the end of the season to make 8 batches of green tomato chutney and canned it to give as gifts. Have a wonderful day!

[@dustyflats3832]

@@brianseybert2189 Great to hear about Sugarsnax!! I already ordered most seeds and got Black Krim on summer sale-thank you for offer of seeds though. ☺️ And good to know about texture of BK. Other carrots I’m trying: Ingot/imperator, Napoli, YaYa, Atomic Red, Dragon and Bolero🤣. I have a big garden, but I want to find the best carrots for here as it’s been a struggle to figure out why they don’t take off here. It could be too dry so we are rigging up an irrigation system with free PEX line-yeah! It could be PH that could prevent uptake of phosphorus or a combo of things like wrong varieties. The darn things are just too small. I’m careful not to add high nitrogen because I don’t want all tops. The late fall planting In raised bed seem good, however not the greatest size, but could be variety. I will try some early and really concentrate on fall planting so maybe plant late June. The fall broccoli 🥦 did SO much better in fall because it didn’t spend time growing into a tree and put more energy into crown. Glad to see your trying Amish Paste as I’m trying that one also. If the reviews are true including comment below from Eileen then it’s got to be a winner. I tried San Marzanos, Alpaca and Super Sauce last year. SMs were too small, Alpacas were Very Meaty/heavy but tend to be a bit dry and the flavor wasn’t there for me and SS were again huge, but flavor, meh. When I open a jar I want to smell the summer garden when I lift that lid😆 I’m planting the bush beans 🫘 in a raised bed for easy picking this year, a row of tenderettes and a yellow wax. OMG the onions! I ended up purchasing last year from a grower because had a start failure and this year they doubled in price. I got my order of seeds from Jungs recently and have several varieties of what I grew last year: Blush, Red Wing, Patterson, yellow Sweet Spanish and Sierra Blanca. My fav is Blush. It’s so hard to choose as I seen another I think Jenna in Oh grew, the Crem Brûlée, nice! I use heirloom and hybrid, not picky. If I find the mainstays that work and they are open pol then great I will save seed. Lol, so my seed collection is vast at the moment, but then again I didn’t go to grocery store for like 2 mos, basics only. My freezer and shelves are stuffed and if we get a deer I want to can some-move over soups and veggies 🥦 🥕 🧅 🍅 I don’t know how far $45 would go in the grocery store Brian as I rarely go🤣🤣🤣🤣. JK, not far in the organic section I’m sure. Thank you for sharing gardening info on varieties and how they performed especially in my area! Out of all the gardening vids there are only a few that really converse as well as Gardener Scott and his subscribers.

[@dustyflats3832]

@@eileenbartnick7202 that’s great to know! Was the flavor as good as some reviews I read?

[@eileenbartnick7202]

@@dustyflats3832 I thought they were really good. Nice and meaty. Besides the chutney, I dehydrated a bunch of the ripe ones, too. I only had three plants!! I will definitely be growing them again. Happy gardening!!

[@tokyoshorty]

Thanks so much for this. I’m curious how long seeds really keep - so many packets say 1 year that it makes me wonder how long self-saved seeds might remain viable. Do you have advice about this? Thanks for all of these tips! I finally get to break ground on my brand new garden in 2023 and I can’t wait. Now I know I don’t have to! ♥

[@GardenerScott]

Here's my video on how long seeds last: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJfapXV_aZKamac Enjoy your new garden!

[@rajaiyer79]

Love your videos and noticed in the background likely your son's picture? Please thank him on our behalf for his service. "Giving back" seems to run in the family :)

[@GardenerScott]

Thank you for the sentiment. That's actually me. Many, many years ago.

[@rajaiyer79]

@@GardenerScott That's amazing! Well thank you Sir.

[@Lera_Vale]

Scott, thank you for the videos, I am new at gardening. After watching your arched cattle panels on raised beds video I tried doing it, but the 2 panels are 100 inches wide while the beds are 96 inches, how does that work? I had to cut one side from each panel (to make them fit in bed) and now I m thinking about how to build the 2nd bed longer...

[@GardenerScott]

I either place one trellis in the bed parallel to the long side or trim the base (like you) to make them fit.

[@smas3256]

So organized you are Gardener Scott. Did you forget about tomatoes?

[@GardenerScott]

I didn't forget tomatoes. I plan to use other packages that weren't in the boxes I grew this year.

[@npast1]

Nice winter jacket, Mr Scott, can you link it?

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. I received it as a gift many years ago so don't have a link. It's from Carhartt.

[@dustyflats3832]

Is it cold enough for everyone? 🥶🥶🥶🥶 Not standing in the garden I bet🤣🤣🤣🤣 A week makes a big difference-Yikes! Next week 44*F!! And Rain-Yuck! That’s tough on plants and animals

[@curtdunlap6818]

Yup, I agree! We had -2F this morning, and that's cold for central PA. I will most certainly not be traipsing around in my garden today!

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

Hello Scott. How long do you keep seeds (years) for planting? Or do you automatically test plant anything that is of a certain age? We finally have the hang of growing Parsnips. Last spring planted 55 locations 3 seeds each, 3 year old seeds. 5 germinated. Went to a local seed n feed store, bought some bulk seed late June, ALL germinated (same locations) but it was for naught. All small. Late Oct. Parsnips are notorious for slow germination and growing to maturity. If you miss with expired seed, you're done. Zone 5-5b Maine. Perfect timing on this video. Just got my templates out yesterday. 😀 TYFS

[@GardenerScott]

I try to cycle through my seeds by the three year point. I don't usually test seeds until they reach five years old. I test germination with wet paper towels, rather than by planting.

[@dtemplman7816]

It’s all year around project

[@tranthiduyen615]

Xin chào bạn Scott lời chào từ Vietnam, chỗ bạn ở nhà bạn là mùa đông rồi ?. Ở miền Bắc Vietnam chỗ tôi sinh sống cũng đang là mùa đông.

[@GardenerScott]

Vâng, đó là mùa đông và rất lạnh.

[@ellydoki6296]

How long do seeds last before they are no good? Goi g through my seeds, many from 2017/18, thought of tossing them, but wanted to check with you!

[@GardenerScott]

It varies. I discuss it more in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJfapXV_aZKamac

[@marvinmulford2536]

Do you cover your beds with ground cover plants or some sort of compost?

[@GardenerScott]

Yes. I use compost as mulch, straw and leaves as mulch, and cover crops.

[@siobhanmacleod7957]

How long do you generally keep seeds that are stored properly? What was your oldest seed you grew to harvest?

[@GardenerScott]

Generally, seeds should be expected to last at least three years. I have grown 12-year-old seeds.

[@Octoschizare]

I saw strawberry plants behind the hummingbird... Perhaps sometime you could make a video on the best way to "overwinter" strawberry plants? As far as I can tell, it seems that you haven't done this topic yet.

[@GardenerScott]

You're right. I haven't made a video on that but I have discussed it in a few of my Monday livestreams. Thanks for the suggestion. I may add that to my list for next year.

[@cynicalvids4696]

not ganna lie, im only 23 and i have that exact large plastic seed container. xD must be an old soul

[@brianschindler1511]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@suebar5177]

Hi...How's your greenhouse holding up...do you still recommend the brand? 😊 Thanks!

[@GardenerScott]

It's holding up well to the weather and I still like it.

[@suebar5177]

@@GardenerScott Thanks for your reply. I'm thinking of getting the same greenhouse next year. Love the two doors.

[@lastchancemonicam3948]

Question about corn worms and corn flea beetles? Over the last two years, I lost one crop to the corn blight and one to corn worms and corn flea beetles. I know they're corn flea beetles b/c when I grow glass gem corn, only the yellow kernels are eaten, and saved some corn for seed and accidentally saved the beetle as well. I can't spray an entire plant with neem oil. What do I do?

[@GardenerScott]

I'm not sure neem oil would have much effect because it would be tough to spray the whole plant and it would only be on the outside, while the worms are eating on the inside. Here's some info that might help: entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef318 extension.entm.purdue.edu/fieldcropsipm/insects/corn-flea-beetle.php

[@lastchancemonicam3948]

@@GardenerScott Thank you. I've asked around my area and they've said things like "Put ___ oil on the corn silk when it (A: starts for form) or (B: turns brown)." and "Good luck on the corn flea beetles. If you find a way to stop them, let me know." Sounds to me like I need to experiment some more. I think I will modify my watering to include soapy water, and I'll apply the oil to some corn silk when it starts to form, and to others when it is turning brown. If you want, I'll let you know my results.

[@hogue3666]

Enjoy a different angle of gardening with a pen and paper instead of getting dirt under your fingernails. Great thoughts, sir!