Winter Sowing! Seed Starting the EASY & CHEAP Way. 🌱 ❄️🌱❄️🌱

[@suzannem.m.warner1924]

Third year for me...100% success rate. No gnats in the house, no hardening off. Good strong starts.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Nice!

[@suzannem.m.warner1924]

@@NextLevelGardening Used a mixture of Happy Frog and ProMix..only because Happy Frog cost is high. Seems to work just fine.

[@Barackrifle]

What have you had success with growing in them?

[@sherrilynn5878]

I've been collecting milk jugs and was gonna give it a very unsure try. This came at the best possible moment! Thank You so much!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Good luck!

[@lisakruger5289]

Give it a shot - I've been winter sowing for 3 years now and it's so easy and works! :)

[@Ashas.Garden]

😁. His videos often seem to timely address and provide more information on the very methods I was considering trying. 🌱

[@EliTHink754]

Was collecting some, one day it looked like clutter, threw them out...now am pissed.str8

[@dawnpettiglio6930]

Consider putting the drain holes by stabbing from the inside to the outside so the plastic doesn't stick up inside and prevent drainage.

[@roserizzo3094]

I have WS for 5 years, zone 7a. It's been great! I usually start in January. I use gallon jugs. I label. Log in a book the date and how it did. I also note the seed company.

[@dephif1]

I'm in North Alabama, I'm just starting WS for the first time have I waited to long?

[@dianes9416]

I'm in eastern shore Md.7b. Will do milk jugs

[@tgardenchicken1780]

Done it, love it. In my cold climate it is suggested to set containers out where they will not be in the winter sun is better. On the north or east side of your home, under bushes etc. Stops the soil from getting too warm too early.

[@JS-jl1yj]

I have grown herbs from seeds this way, with some degree of success. Since I live in Ontario, Canada, the earliest I can do it is in middle of March. The nice thing is that the plants don't need to be hardened before they are planted in their final spot, in full sun. I love your hinged hoop house.

[@tgardenchicken1780]

I live in Minnesota, we can easily start in January. You should be able to also for many seeds. Keep the containers out of the sun during winter is important.

[@melindaroth5796]

Hi Brian, The arctic blast is coming in tonight 😢 SE Texas. Praying 🙏 we don't lose electricity 😮 ❤LOVE YALL ❤

[@NextLevelGardening]

Good luck!

[@juneramirez8580]

Hope all went well for you!!!!

[@Happy2Run4Me]

How’d your plants do? Mine did fairly well considering it got down to 14 degrees here in Angelina County. My collards, most of my celery and all of my carrots survived! Half of my spinach did not but what was left is super sweet! 😮

[@kimtither7978]

I tried winter sowing for the first time last year with great success.

[@RichieFairlamb]

I winter sowed some outdoor girl tomatoes the end of January here in the UK..We are having an unusually cold spring,,I checked my containers today and they are around 2" high and look great..I have moved them to a sunny spot for them to grow on..Couple of sweet peppers showing too..

[@whats-luring]

Uk here aswell man! It's not too bad tbh 👊

[@carolfryer9494]

I love winter sowing. Been doing it a few years in my tiny garden. I always end up with much more then I have space for and share whats left.

[@angelaefferson8620]

I always sow and grow more then what I need because some plants don't make it and have to be replanted if not I give them to neighbors

[@michellewelch6013]

Got some seeds started in my office with growlights. So excited for spring! Now I want to get busy covering the raised beds.

[@towe598]

I tried first time last year, on my balcony. Worked really well! Zone 3, Sweden.

[@susanbritton-giza5054]

Hi I winter sowed last year and it was amazing ! I had lots of lettuce, spinach and many other greens ! I soaked my seeds for 24 hours and it was easy and kept my busy mind occupied during the winter 🥶😂😇🙏🏼❤️‍🩹

[@debbiegibson6113]

Instead of putting tape around the jug simply use a hole punch. Punch a hole on top and bottom of cut area directly across from hinge. Take a string and push thru both holes then tie the string in a bow. Now when you want to inspect or water just untie the bow then retie. So much easier than tape.

[@EliTHink754]

Good idea

[@schnder1]

I love that idea! Thank you.

[@callmekc4]

Unfortunately, not taping all around (with duct tape) didn't work well, in Iowa. Using the tape all around did.

[@jamessteffens8337]

I like to open the seed packets from the bottom So I can still read everything . Jim80 .

[@histeve1110]

I’m a big fan of winter sowing, thanks for sharing this method! Easy, inexpensive, low maintenance..set and forget for the most part. And it truly frees up space in my sprout room pre-Spring. Also, this method requires little or no hardening off period. I use opaque jugs, so I usually give them a day uncovered, just for the sprouts to get a good look at the sun and feel a breeze before I transfer them. But not having to harden off the sprouts is nice 👍

[@NextLevelGardening]

Great points!

[@elainehightower]

I’ve been winter sowing for 3 years 😁 all flowers. Very fun and good for the winter blues.

[@godisnotmocked1345]

I've been winter sowing for about 5 years in zone 7a. I do it in stages for ALL of my crops and flowers starting in January through April. EVERYTHING grows better this way. Even peas benefit. The ones I direct sowed were about half the size of the ones I winter sowed. The last stage I WS is for things like squash, melons and cucumbers. I can start them a little earlier and they're protected from pests but still get the benefit of being outside in the weather since I open and close the bottles during the day. When I need to water them I don't use a hose. I have a battery operated pump sprayer that works GREAT and which I use later in the season for foliar spraying the plants. SO MUCH BETTER than those hand pumps! I also don't use duct tape like many recommend. To get the greenhouse effect you do have to seal them. And if I was up in Minnesota I would need duct tape. But here in Maryland I can get away with packing tape. It's much easier to use when breaking the seal so that I can even reuse my bottles. I just hose them all down and store them in my attack in trash bags. I also transplant as the plants get bigger if needed. So I might sow a load of seeds in a gallon jug but when they're a couple inches tall rather than letting them grow up all cramped and fighting for space, I transplant them into individual bottles (12 oz, liter, 2 liter, gallon) depending on the type of plant.

[@loribarreca7754]

I have been doing this for 3 years. Love it so much. It is the only thing that gets me through Jan Feb and March. Checking for sprouts is so much fun

[@sharonbrunotte3972]

I absolutely love winter sowing!!! This will be my 4 winter I’ve been winters sowing!!😁

[@debbiep7419]

I feel like I've been seeing "winter sowing" a lot this year (more so than past years). I really want to focus on indoor starting this year but may try both methods next year and compare results. Thanks for the helpful video, you explain things very well!

[@zepheniahparker]

I literally opened youtube to search winter sowing. Timely!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Nice!

[@yvonneellefson]

I did the milk jug method 3 years ago for celery (which is a slow germinator) after seeing a KZbinr do it her snowy garden. It worked great! Last year I also did it with some onion seeds to get starts. I'll probably try it for parsley. My goal is to set it and forget it and let mother nature do her thing when she's ready, rather than me fretting over them indoors. 😂

[@alysonbaker939]

I experimented with winter sowing last year. I was impressed with some of my successes. I should have kept better notes. I plan to do some winter sowing this year and keep better notes!! Great show, good reminders. Thank you.

[@angelaefferson8620]

It sure is easy and cheap , i live in the city, i go around and collect milk and soda jugs , winter sowing is the best , those little jug act as little green houses , second year for winter sowing 🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thank you Brian. 🥶❄️💚🙃

[@ChrisKsGarden]

I've been doing winter sowing for the last 3 years. It's much easier and less expensive than starting indoors. I am in zone 7a. So we get some cold and a few below freezing days. All types of seeds can work. I do mostly vegetable and a few companion flowers in my jugs. I learned this method from KZbin videos by Winter Sowing with Sheryl Mann. I leave my seedling in the containers until they're about to grow out of the jug. Then open the jug a little, for just a day or two. Most of the hardening off is done by them growing outside in jugs. The transplants are much stronger and healthier than any I've ever tried growing indoors. I will be starting my winter sowing in about a month.

[@gardenfreshtotable]

Thanks Brian, I have a greenhouse similar to your hoop house that I have been growing cilantro, lettuce, and swiss chard in this winter.

[@diannasgardenmenagerie967]

Oh awesome I wanted to watch that overestimate hoop video I’m gonna try that this year for my lettuces.

[@sparkleflair]

Well that's a lot easier than I thought it would be! Thanks :)

[@bublhed]

I tried this last year and was most successful with peas and kale. I used a lot of herb seeds that were really old so I’m not surprised they were unsuccessful. I saw another similar option that I’m going to try this year. It involves filling a large bin, with drainage holes and holes on top, with my filled seed cells.

[@esthersdaughterlong8149]

Great idea's Brian. Thank you so much.

[@marie9244]

Hi Brian, I’ve done winter sowing and it’s great. Larkspur, echinacea, poppies, pansies all did well and many more. I just drill the holes on the bottom and label the container on the outside with a garden marker. I sow May in Melbourne Australia our approach to winter.

[@brooksmaxwell8834]

I love wintering sowing , so did my dogs, I only had 1 out 8 to survive 8 month old puppy tantrum. But that one did great I have lettuce clear through thre the early summer.

[@denisecovelle938]

My 3rd year winter sowing, the plants are stronger and healthier. I do my brassicas, and a few other vegetables, best way to get a great start in the winter

[@NextLevelGardening]

Good point!

[@arielmcgillacuddy6640]

I tried it last year and I had a lot of success.foxglove, lupine, hollyhock, daisy, white swan echinacea, straw flower, nigella, columbine and poppy. It was awesome. This year I am trying sweet peas, lavender and delphinium or Larkspur plus a lot more of the same. I love it.

[@janethall2199]

I have done onions, broccoli and lettuce. It worked really good

[@davidaleshire4292]

I’ve done this for the past three years, making this my fourth coming up. My first year was with the milk jugs, then I did sort of a hybrid where I used your tomato starting method in solo cups, and nested them in large Sterilite tubs with drainage holes, and a bed of mulch in the bottom. Holes drilled in the lid. The result, tomato plants too tall to put the lid on by the start of April. Oops. And I’m on Ohio, zone 6b. One little trick I’m trying this year for a friend is with milk jugs, and we’re putting cardboard dividers in between tomato sections to make transplants easier. We’ll see how that goes.

[@rebeccazody1278]

Fourth yr winter sowing! Love it here in Indiana. I do tomatoes and cold tender flowers too. Only peppers and eggplant will not germinate. But virtually everything else works.

[@22trident45]

Excellent. Love inexpensive methods. Been watching you for many years now, great idea for these quick hitters. Thanks!

[@nildaotero2933]

Loved the video. Thanks for sharing

[@lindas9806]

I’m doing it now for the first time this year.

[@hillbillyshadetreefarm5732]

While I live here in San Diego, these tips are still very valuable. Thank you for the info/reminder. I have a couple of garden pots that I'm going to take this on a test drive. 😊 ~ Rhonda

[@LZH13067]

I just finished winter sowing some Columbine. I started some echinacea last week.

[@lgrillo]

I love how you now simply introduce yourself and then go into the content without any animations or reminders to like, subscribe, etc. We ALL know that and don’t need to hear it on every vid. As for Winter Sowing, I’ve been doing it for 3 years and love it. So simple and grows really strong root systems. Just be sure to use high quality potting soil, not seed starting mix, top soil or compost or anything else. Super fun and easy way to start seeds. By the way, I winter sow summer veggies with great success. I’m in zone 7a. Works for my tomatoes, peppers and squash just fine. Question… with the totes method (in ground) wouldn’t the cover still need ventilation and a way for moisture to get in?

[@vickieboley9452]

I'm going to give this a try once the arctic blast leaves our area! Meantime I can prepare a couple jugs and find the right seeds. Thanks for the idea!

[@Arcticdi]

First time trying this and it worked great until we got a very warm day (76) in the middle of winter....lots of new seedlings emerged and I had to bring 5 jugs inside but I think I will continue this as it saves me space.

[@lisakruger5289]

This will be my 4th season of winter sowing and I love it! I had no luck starting seeds inddors under grow lights, but winter sowing was a game changer for me! I am in zone 7b/8a and have even had luck winter sowing peppers, tomato and squash plants - those just have to be started in mid to late feb instead of starting in January like perennials. Give it a try, it's so simple and easy, and I bet you'll love it too! :)

[@jackiehorsley9263]

I tried winter sowing last year I had good results

[@marthakratz7877]

Great ideas. I'm going to try that - definitely the second method possibly the first method also. Thank you Brian.

[@blazeboy97]

Did this a couple of years ago with great success.. lots of squash, cucumber, tomatoe and pepper seedlings ready to go at the right time!!

[@suemcculley7073]

❤ zone 5b. Tried winter sowing last year. Onions, kale and spinach all did well. Hope to try more things this year.

[@kat6084]

yep. I have 10 bins outside for Native plants. buried under snow.

[@juneramirez8580]

I hear snow cover is insulating

[@BlackJesus8463]

Make milk jugs great again! 🔥🔥🔥

[@julseabate4173]

Thank you so much Brian!!! Great advice as usual, love from Sonoma!

[@joetran8798]

For method #1, I find using a soldering iron better. May be a little slower, but fewer sharp edges to deal with. Just make sure you do it in a well ventilated area.

[@gloryb5513]

Love winter sowing!! Surprisingly, my hot weather crops germinated the best (tomatoes; peppers; watermelon and canteloupe). Last year was my first year! I was in zone 7; put my jugs out Feb 2.

[@emkn1479]

Yeah makes sense, anything should work, so long as it’s done at the right time. If you think about it, all the warm season crops will reseed if a mature fruit stays in the garden and breaks down. I might try that this year.

[@darlenethompson6738]

My experience with winter sowing was with artichokes. Excellent in 9b.

[@tammysturza]

Zone 8b, we get snow and ice. I had over a foot of snow two weeks ago.

[@monicamayer977]

I tried the milk jugs and dont like them. Found a brilliant way to start them and its so easy to put in their place...yep labels are so important:) Love your plants!

[@DarlaPitman]

This is my 4th year Winter Sowing, and it is the only way I start all my plants, including warm weather flowers like zinnias, marigolds etc. And seed starting mix is not recommended. Only potting soil or potting mix to provide enough nutrients to sustain the seedlings until they are transplanted. I also make a hole in the side of the containers about an inch from the bottom to allow for drainage in the case of too much rain. As for the no transplant winter sowing, I do make holes in the containers I place over the in-ground seeds to allow moisture to come in, and excess heat to flow out. I have found this method especially effective for carrots and beets. It is the only way I will be growing them.

[@juneramirez8580]

Love your ideas. I am in zone 9b. Need protection from birds beheading my seedlings!!!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Tulle!

[@juneramirez8580]

​@@NextLevelGardening I have used tulle at times but the wind finds a way to pull it off.

[@patkrueger7353]

Love your videos and your ideas. Always ready to learn new things thank you 😊. My problem is its so cold out i dine feel like walking outside to my greenhouse. We are below 0 wind chills today

[@JenniMBE]

I've sown my onion seeds, spring onions, cauliflower and foxgloves but it's too cold here for them to germinate outside so they are on our dining room table. I have a very understanding husband. They will be going into my greenhouse once they germinate.

[@terrisouthernplainsprepper5927]

I have been doing this method in Kansas for several years. Hardest part is keeping containers labeled and being patient.

[@Happy2Run4Me]

I’m going to do this for my herbs because they don’t seem to grow my other way. Maybe this will work! I’m in zone 9a east Texas. Maybe I can finally get rosemary, thyme or oregano to germinate.🤷🏻‍♀️I direct sow dill and basil with no problem. Cilantro is taking its sweet time this year though.

[@lorraineyanez4301]

I planted today, learning from my past failures 😢.

[@renee-kg3vj]

Hey maybe I missed it ,I can’t find the link for the seed trays you used. Your a great teacher I always learn from you. I grow in raised beds. zone 8. Florida.

[@feliciagarcia1000]

hi from Santa Fe New Mexico nice to see your well . don't watch much not my zone 😞

[@sandrajohnston9745]

I tried this last year, with mixed success. I think my timing was a little off and some of the seeds I tried required warmer soil than I had in zone 8b. Will experiment more this year.

[@kittiew260]

It works well, especially for annual flowers & veggies. I'm not sure why you would say it doesn't work, Zone 6 and cold until April worked perfectly even in brutal February temperatures below zero. Key is using potting soil as made mistake and used starting promix, doesn't work out.

[@mothersson2002]

You said it's for cold hardy plants but I have seen many people do it for heat needing thibgs such as tonatoes just starting later

[@WalktheLake]

Hi, this is off topic, but I (we all) loved your overwintering pepper video- what about a similar video for tomatoes? I know in many zones indeterminate toms can make it thru the winter, but how/when to prune??? No idea. I have a sungold bush that needs work!

[@lindagoldman2351]

Awesome ideas! I live in Central Ga. We are expecting temperatures in the teens next week. Can I use the method where you plant the seeds directly in the ground and cover them with some type of plastic container? Can they handle temperatures that low?

[@littlecountrykitchen]

Brian, love your info! Wish i started this 4 years ago ❤ any cons for winter sowing??? Ijuist posted a video for my winter sowing too.

[@lisamcloughlin5549]

What about grow bags, do you have a good idea for these? I have multiple sizes of bags.

[@emkn1479]

Theoretically, I love the idea. But it hasn’t worked well for me in practice. Maybe I’ll try one more time…

[@onomonania75]

2nd year gardener here 👋🏾This should work for strawberries and quinoa?

[@margaretowens1749]

What about the green houses that dollar tree has In the spring. I have a lot of them

[@juliemcgugan1244]

I tried this method last winter. I got over-whelmed by fungus gnats! They were everywhere, in every seedling jug, even though I used seed-mix from three different sources! I also sprinkled cinnamon on them, but the fungus finished them off. Does anybody have any tips (preferably multiple!) for keeping fungus and fungus gnats away?

[@TheRealWattLife]

I live in Georgia. What would be the best vegetables and herbs that would work best with this method?

[@Foxysvacation]

Costco chicken containers work if you make a vent hole

[@debrab3598]

What about the cicadas coming this year is it worth planting anything

[@NextLevelGardening]

I think so

[@sandrasherer8779]

What if I have a small unheated green house, would that be a way to winter sow in seed trays, or open containers.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Yes

[@sandrasherer8779]

Thanks. P S my husband and I really appreciate your videos. Thanks. We grew our tomatoes in a single stem trellis last year. It was great. ​@@NextLevelGardening

[@verawallace9055]

Make sure that the soil is moist, i put a house plant in mine now its all dry and crispy didn't water it enough, meanwhile the white alyssum is in full bloom inside now guess its heat tolerant

[@deborahrogers7808]

Brain - i ordered some of the easy grow 12 & 24 cell seeding trays. Some of the reviews are very negative. But I trust your judgement. You moisten the seed starting mix , then plant the seeds and fill tray with water and only water again when it runs out /low. Or do you just put alittle water in each tray? Please advice !

[@NextLevelGardening]

I fill the reservoir and just don't let it run dry. Just don't fill it so full that the water touches the bottom of the seed tray

[@judymckerrow6720]

I tried winter sowing for two years in a row with no success. This is my last year for trying it. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. The seeds aren’t old, I pre moisten the potting soil, I just don’t get it. Maybe because we get little to no sun throughout the winter months ? I live in SW Michigan so the seeds get the cold they need. Again I just don’t get it. Last try ! 🥶❄️💚🙃

[@lyndelgado6138]

Did you put drainage holes in the bottom? Did you pre-soak the seeds and plant them right away? Did you put the container with the lid on by a bush? Ive read/watched elsewhere that you don't want the soil to get too warm too soon, so you actually want to protect it from the sun. Just throwing out ideas. Hope it works this time for you!

[@jonnettemaslowski258]

That is a really cool idea! This is off your topic, but for the last three years, by the first week in July, I have been battling cucumber beetles. The plants are totally healthy and then one day😢 I spot one beetle. By the end of July, I’m pulling all the vines out. Last year I dug out holes and planted the seeds in fabric bags using compost and new soil. I covered the ground around the sunken pots with lawn fabric and then covered that with grass clippings. When I spotted the first beetle, 😢I used neem oil. I’m so frustrated. If I plant cucumbers in a different location will that really help? Is there something I can put in the soil to kill eggs? I feel like they fly into my yard from all over. Please help!

[@patkrueger7353]

Plant in new spot and try companion planting. That does work

[@jonnettemaslowski258]

@@patkrueger7353 I’m in northern Illinois. Suggestions for companion plants?

[@patkrueger7353]

Some of these companion plants are dill which is a very good companion for cucumbers. Oregano marigolds calendula nastriums radishes, onions, sweet alyssum and borage. Hope some of these will help

[@jonnettemaslowski258]

@@patkrueger7353 thanks.

[@elainemiller9943]

I tried winter sowing last year (zone 8b) with brassicas. It was a miserable fail.

[@MelanieMyers-k7g]

Can you winter sow a seed that is not "frost hardy"?

[@annaklein7759]

I tried this with the box. Didn’t work at all. I live in Southwest Michigan

[@657449]

I’ve been doing it for a dozen years. Wind is not your friend so put the jugs in milk crates.

[@margaretowens1749]

No I have not tried winter sowing