Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Wednesday Wandering : Winter Sowing

It's Wednesday and time to wander off the beaten quilty path and on to another path. 
A few days ago I had a wonderful time sowing some seeds and dreaming of gardens to be. 
You may or may not remember that last year I cleared an area here for a native wildflower garden. I did some research on wildflowers native to this area that would do well in part sun/part shade, were different heights and had a variety of flower colors. And most importantly I wanted seeds that had similar germination requirements.  Most of these seeds germinate after a 60 day period of cold, moist stratification - perfect for winter sowing. 

I've been winter sowing seeds for years and first found information at WinterSown.Org.  Now there is a lot of information out there about winter sowing if you are interested. 

I've used a variety of different containers from milk jugs to ice cream buckets to quart sized zip lock baggies to start seeds but for this batch I used old plant pots and covered them with plastic wrap held in place with rubber bands. I did punch holes in the saran wrap with a sharp scissors. 

This batch of wildflower seeds include Prairie Smoke, Western Indian Physic, Wild Quinine, Columbine, Pearly Everlasting, Hoary Vervain, Cardinal Flower, Meadow Blazing Star, Prairie Blazing Star, Yellow Coneflower, Foxglove Beardtongue, Rattlesnake Master and Sweet Black Eyed Susan. 

Now they are outside on the deck.  It was actually difficult to get them out there because the deck is covered with deep snow and ice that I could not shovel off. In fact, I walked on top of that snow and ice and did not break through and I'm no light weight. 


 Here you can see the ice covered snow is mounded up all the way to the bottom of a deck chair. And you can see mounded snow in a plastic planter that will probably later be sown with pansies or petunias. 

I used the bag of soil starting mix I had on hand and was a little depressed thinking I might not be able to find more at this time of year but my husband ventured out and found me a few more bags so I'll have a couple more batches of seeds to winter sow.  Not all seeds can be winter sown. Some get started under lights in a corner of my sewing room which I guess could also be called a sowing room. 

Dreaming of gardens to be. Are you? 

12 comments:

SandyPA said...

Sowing room. Hah! I'm growing the most expensive lettuce ever in my new tabletop growing device. That's my only garden right now in the new house. We don't get snow here in SC, but it's too cold to play outside much. It will be fun to see the results of your seed starts. Sandy at sewhigh.blogspot.com

Quiltdivajulie said...

Where we lived in Indiana, we could have done some winter sowing. Here, not so much. It's been below freezing for the last several nights (even had snow flurries for a couple of days) but it warms to above freezing by afternoon. Our daffodil noses are up about an inch - chilly for them but they don't seem to mind. Your flowers are always so pretty - hoping these new additions do well!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Wow -that is so cool - and think of all the lovely colors and flowers you will have come spring! sooooo what is rattlesnake master? Does it keep them away?

sue s said...

I hope you keep posting your flower growth. I'm thinking our below freezing weather might be too cold for them.

---"Love" said...

Looks like you are headed for some fun, now and later! Wish I were able to get out and do the same thing like I used to do. I'll enjoy seeing how your garden does. ---"Love"

gayle said...

I'm fascinated by your winter sowing! (Your winter sewing is always interesting too!)
I think the best part of your flowers is the names, though! What fun reading them off!

Cathy said...

It’s wonderful to read your plans for the garden! We are not planting a garden this year because we hope to move this year to a smaller place (pandemic and market permitting). Our focus is on clearing out Stuff.

Kathy S. said...

LOL on the sowing room! You're so witty! I've never tried winter sowing. This post makes me go hmmmmm. Can't wait to see your blooms.

MissPat said...

I've read about winter sowing and I'm intrigued, but have never tried. We usually don't get home until the end of March which seems like too late, and I wonder what happens to the seedling when they sprout but it's still too cold and wet to actually plant them. Maybe I'll paw through my leftover seed packets that never seem to get spring sewn and experiment. But I'd have to go find some seed starter soil, too.
Pat

QuiltGranma said...

OH! You made me laugh, sowing room! I'd love to just sow into the ground here... we do not have snow at this time. But my joints make me say, NOT this year!

Laura said...

This sounds like a win-win! Winter sowing and winter sewing! Love! I am going to check out that website; I might have to experiment if I can find potting soil in my area! :)

Sherrill said...

Yep, but mine aren't winter sown. I planted a small batch of tomatoes, green beans, lavender and (?) another flower in an egg carton. Have a few things to get started but I've got time.