Winter Sowing.......Sow, sow, sow your seeds.

[Mel-icious]

Anyone trying Winter Sowing this year? If so share. :D

I've never done it before, and am in the process of reading about it. I plan to do it for the first time, if anyone has done it before feel free to share tips, hints, or your experience. I found a ton of great info if anyone is interested! :D

[FarmGirl]

What are you sowing? I would love it if you shared your info. If some people have a green thumb, I most definately have a black thumb. Its awful! I love growing things, I love planting things.. but everything I try and grow dies! If someone gives me a potted plant thats thriving - in a matter of weeks its practically dead! I try so hard too. Its very depressing :( So I make loads of plans, and I make my hubby do everything. I remind him to water, when to feed etc... and everything grows amazingly. Ticks me off! LOL

[Mel-icious]

I'm starting them this weekend, its my first time, I read a lot of great info at the Garden Web winter sowing FAQ section. (http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/wtrsow/)It was full of helpful info.

Basically your taking your seeds and adding them to a container {can be any container, old plastic take out with a lid, old cool whip container, old cake pan with plastic lids, ect}, giving holes in the bottom for drainage and a few in the lid for air circulation, adding dirt, water, soil or soil-less mixture, then setting your seeds out in the winter and come spring you'll have seedlings. I need a jump start, last year my seedlings didn't pop up quickly enough, I didn't get my vioila's, sunflowers, ect until late in the season, then I didn't have enough time to enjoy them.

So far I am collecting seeds, a lot of people on the forums will give them to you for a self addressed stamped envelope, so for a bubble mailer and 2 stamps you get lots of seeds.

So far I have planned:

Tomatoes
cukes
zucchini
tigger melon {new rare seed I am dying to try out}
gerbera daisies
primrose
shasta daisies
false sunflowers
violas
pansies
iceplants
sunflowers

and a ton I've forgotten, I have to see what people send me to know all of them. Its a first come first serve basis, so I'll see what surprises come in the mail! :D

[suzieq728]

Live & Learn.... Thanks M, I have never heard of Winter Sowing, but now that I have, I will be starting soon...
Thanks M ;) .

Hey, can I start those pumpkins yet????? :D I cant wait to start them....

[Mel-icious]

According to that list you can. ;) But I'm not starting mine until later in the summer. They came up pretty quickly last year, but then again, you can harvest them and keep them for months right?

Edited to add:

Anyone in for winter sowing? We'll check each others progress? Anyone, anyone? Bueller??

[suzieq728]

Well I am going to start the winter sowing. Oh I just got my Burpee cataloug also, I have to go threw that now....

[Mel-icious]

I got mine last week. After reading I got up and said "Well T, I just spent over $1,000 in my head at Burpee". :biglaugh:

I went through my seeds from last year and have quite a few, if your looking to do carrots don't buy seeds, I have 2 packs of those from last year, found out I had rocky soil so I can't plant them. :huh: I'm also getting a few surprises in the mail since on another site some people have been so kind as to send me seeds for a SASE. So I can't wait to see what is in there.

This weekend I am starting some seeds, I have alot, so I'll start what I have. I went through my cabinets looking for containers, I have alot! Old take out containers, milk containers, soda bottles, cool whip container {store brand so the lid is clear}, I'm all set, just have to go out and get some potting soil and I'll be ready to go!

[Mel-icious]

So Suzie Q, did you get through that Burpee catalog yet?? :wait:

I started my seeds a couple weeks back. My containers look like mini-greenhouses. They are covered with snow but the inside of the bottles must be toasty because they have lots of humidity in there.

Lets hope they germinate! :crossed: I have more to plant today! I'll end up having to give away most of these seedlings, I can't stop planting!! :biglaugh:

[suzieq728]

Hi M,

I just placed my order with Burpee yesterday. Yeah I am running way behind here, but life has been hectic and I am moving in slow motion.

I dont know if you remember, but last year I had bought one of those mini green houses, I am trying to get it inside. It has frozen in the ground LOL. I think this weekend we are supposed to have some nice weather, I have my soil, I also bought, last year a germation, (sp?) kit, so I have that all ready to go, just waiting for my son to bring in the greenhouse...

I am starting the pumpkins indoor, also tomato, cucks, eggplants, and my fav, sunflowers...

;)

[Mel-icious]

Yay! So what did you buy from Burpee? :D

I've been involved in seed trades with a few people from the Garden web, I have tons of seeds, we're talking 4 containers in my frig full. :eek: If you need more, ask me, I can send a small amout to you for free. ;) Here's what I have:

Achillea - "Love Parade" and "Paprika"
Anagallis monellii - Blue Pimpernel
Adenophora lilifolia
African Daisy - mixed colors
Aster Novae Angliae - "Purple Dome"
Aster - Purple
Campanula - Canterbury Bells blue, rose,& white shades
Dianthus - Superparfait Strawberry
Digitalis - Foxglove pink and white mix
Echinacea Purpurea
Eupatorium - Joe Pye Weed
Gaillardia - Burgundy
Hibiscus - Hardy Red
Hollyhock - "Zebrina" "Country Romance" and Bright Pink Double Bloom
Love Lies Bleeding
Lupine - Russell Hybrids Mixed {Burpee}
Lunaria annua "Alba Variegata"
Marigold - Petite Yellow
Marigold -Mixed
Marigold - Sophia Mix
Mexican Hat - {2} trades
Morning Glory - Mixed white/pink pink/white purple
Morning Glory - Mixed ??
Nasturtium - Empress of India
Phlox - Burpee "Fantasy Mix"
Poppies - extras left over from trade "double bloom" and "pink/purple/red" mix
Rudbeckia - Goldilocks
Rudbeckia - Mixed
Sunflower - Russian Mammoth and Moonwalker
Texas Blue Bonnets -
Veronica - Blue
Viola - "Cornuta" mixed colors
Queen Annes Lace
Zinnia
******Herbs******
Chives - Common and Garlic
Parsley - Italian Flat Leaf
Mrs. Burns Lemon basil
****vegetables****
Beans - "Brittle Wax" Yellow Snap Bush Bean and "Kentucky Wonder" bean pole
Cantalope - "Hales Best"
Lettuce - "Black Seeded Simpson"
Peas - "Snowbird" and "Super Sugar Snap" both Burpee
Peppers - "Northstar" bell peppers and "Jalepeno" 1 trade
Pumpkin - Pump-Ke-Mon (1 small trade)
Spinach - "Avon" Hybrid and "Giant Noble"
Squash - "Vermont Medley Hybrid" Vermont Bean Company and Squash - "Saffron" yellow summer squash (2)small trades
Swiss Chard - Fordhook Giant
Tomato - "Beefsteak" "Baby Roma" "Snow White" cherry "Stupice" and Anna Russian all 1 trade 10 seeds each
Watermelon - "Charleston Gray"
Zucchini - "Black Beauty" (1) small trade

Yeah, I'm addicted to seeds. :rolleyes: I have an order in for more veggies too.

[FarmGirl]

Holy schmoly Mel!!

You must have on heck of a yard - I'm jealous ;)

[Mel-icious]

LOL. That's only what I have LEFT. I didn't put down what I had actually winter sown in my yard. :D Some of those things I couldn't grow or didn't want, so I have them up for trade, then I trade for things I do like. My parents have a huge yard, 20 some acres, I have a tiny backyard, and a tiny front yard, but I'll cram as much stuff in it as I can. LOL! I plan to give alot away if they all grow and turn into little plants. :D

[FarmGirl]

Good greif! LOL

I really am jealous, lol

I like the trade idea - what a great way to get lots of stuff that you like. I'll have to remember that when I'm ready to garden. Its so hard right now, cause our monster dog rips everything out of the ground.

So, I should come to dinner when? Nothing better than fresh grown veggies :D

[Mel-icious]

Come to dinner in the summer, when I have the veggies. LOL! I understand about the dog. My sister had the same problem, she's got a crazy dog and had to wait until they bought a new house and fenced in the area for her garden, so this will be her first year gardening, so I'll be giving her some stuff too.

A swap is a great way to start. If you sign up around the winter, members offer SASE's {self addressed stamped envelopes} and send you lots of seeds. Then you just trade them for ones you like. I also had some seeds from last year I keep in the frig, that way they last for a couple years. Then T took me on a seed buying trip and I bought a ton more at Franks 40% off.

Um, again, its an addiction. :rolleyes:

[FarmGirl]

lmao!

Its a great addiction though! So many people no longer even try to grow things - its like a lost art or something.

[Mel-icious]

I agree. I loved it from the time I was young. My granfather had a nice little veggie patch, and I'd go over and help him harvest, he was always so proud of his garden and I guess I inherited that from him. ;)

I just wish he were around to see my garden. :(

[yonksgirl]

Oh my gosh Mel!! I started My seeds indoors And they are growing wild! I got a bug to do some planting well I think I may have started too soon. My pea plants are going to start to clime my walls! :eek: What should I do? Never a dull moment in our house!:biglaugh:

I am waiting for them to say "feed me Kim":lol:

[Mel-icious]

The peas shouldn't be started inside since they grow so fast, I don't do those or beans inside for the reason you are experiencing. They can be planting in April here in PA, as for what to do, ya got me! LOL! Build a trellis indoors and put them in a big planter. :biglaugh: Now that's a conversation piece. LOL!!!

[FarmGirl]

lol yonks... oops!

I know what you mean about learning from Grandpa... only me and my grandpa had a love for animals, and my grandma was the one with the huge garden.

[yonksgirl]

Originally posted by Mel-icious
The peas shouldn't be started inside since they grow so fast, I don't do those or beans inside for the reason you are experiencing. They can be planting in April here in PA, as for what to do, ya got me! LOL! Build a trellis indoors and put them in a big planter. :biglaugh: Now that's a conversation piece. LOL!!!


When ever I get it in my head to do something I can not wait to do it.:rolleyes: I think I will build a trellis LOL! I like to keep DH on his toes! He will get a good laugh out of it! Oh well I will have peas early this year! :lick:

[suzieq728]

What did I buy from Burpee? Need you ask, half the damn catalouge thats what I bought :biglaugh: :biglaugh: .

And trust me it did not start out that way. I was going to limit myself to only $20.00 this year, but, well, you know me, no limits.
I bought the pumpkin seeds, a few of the impatients the red white & blue ones. I bought a heating lamp, (like I really needed it,) more seeds LOL... I dont even remember now...
oh and those peat pots, I love them... so I bought about 50 of them :rolleyes: am I crazy or what? LMAO.....
You have no idea how much I am looking foward to getting into my garden this year, it brings me such peace. And I could use some peace & quiet right about now.....;)

[Mel-icious]

Wow Suze, you'll be a busy bee soon huh!

What kind of pumpkins did you get? I have jack be littles for the girls and pump-ke-mons. I can't wait to plant them!

Aren't they cute!
http://207.158.206.19/products/pumpkin/photos/lilpumpkemon.jpg

They are the size of the little little orange you see for decorations.

[suzieq728]

Hi M

I bought the Jack be littles, thinking that growing pumpkins would be mine & Brittanys little thing, Now I have pumpkin seeds which I will plant, but now Brittany wont get to see the finished result, cause there supposdly moving to Florida in August, :rolleyes: (we'll see how that goes).
My son finally helped me yesterday get the greenhouse in the house, so I am just waiting on seeds and I am ready to go...:D

[suzieq728]

Hiya M
I did it, I got all my seeds and started them. Bellieve it or not, this seed sowing thing has been a life saver for me while going threw all this crap with my kids. And now I have a whole bunch of impatients, tomatos, petunias, marigolds, and sunflowers growning in my laundry room. I am having a blast with them..
Thanks for the ideas :D
How r your seeds coming along????

[Mel-icious]

Great and not so great. No sign of maters yet, but I have poppies, daisies, bell flowers, impatients, yarrow, and a few other goodies popping up. I think I'm going to start some tomatoes inside as well, just to be on the safe side.

So did you get any snow today? Yesterday we were out in a light sweater, today its snowing, crazy huh!

[suzieq728]

:rolleyes: This weather is nuts! Yesterday it was 60, today we have 4 inches of snow on the ground at 5PM. Go figure.
Twice I was outside cleaning up the yard and the next day it rains or snows. I cant take it anymore...:argh:

Hopefully it will warm up this weekend.. How much snow did u get M?

[Mel-icious]

Not to much, enough to cover all of my milk jugs with my baby sprouts in them, but not enough to keep Nick home from school, I'd say a good 3 inches. I think it will warm again soon, I'm hoping this weekend, T and I need to get my beds built. ;)

[suzieq728]

M

We got 4 inches of snow, and I swear 12 inches of rain LOL. It rained so hard last night it was weird. Then the rain stopped about 12:30 and it was hailing. I was laying in bed thinking to myself, what next?

But they r saying this weekend is supposed to be nice. I just took all my patio furniture out last week, and now its covered in snow & ice...

BTW, Happy St. Patty's Day! :D

[Mel-icious]

Happy ST. Patties Day to you too, have a beer for me since I can't. :(

I think we're expecting a little more tomorrow, I just hope its gone by the weekend. ;)

[suzieq728]

:confused: M Why can't you have a beer :confused: ?? huh huh, do tell my little chick a dee :p ....

;)