Over the age I ’ve mother heaps of wintertime sowing head . I see many of the same unity number through , so I decided to put together an FAQ ( oft expect questions ) post to answer the most unwashed ones . This is where you could witness the answers you ’re look for all in one wide-eyed berth .
Below I ’ve listed out the most common question I get asked , or the ones I hear most often , along with a elaborate answer for each one .
But before digging into the FAQs , I wanted to give you a list of resource where you might find the answer to your most burning winter sowing questions ( if you ca n’t regain it in this post ) .
Winter sown seedlings ready to transplant into the garden
Finding The Answer To Your WSing Question
If you ’re marque new , or are n’t conversant with this technique , then start by reading myquick - start guide to winter sowing . There you ’ll find out all about it , and how to get started .
Here are more articles that address many other usual wintertime sowing questions that I get asked …
Frequently Asked Winter Sowing Questions & Answers
Below is the listing of oftentimes asked question about winter sowing that I get the most often .
Can I put my mini greenhouses in my porch instead of outside for the winter?
If the porch is screened in , they should be fine for the winter . But if your porch has windows , be careful of premature sprouting because of the nursery effect .
Also , since the container wo n’t be outside , you will have to check on them , and water more often to verify they do n’t dry out out .
You may also have to take an surplus step to temper them off if it ’s really warm in the porch .
How many seeds should I plant in each container?
You do n’t want the semen to be planted too close together , because that will make it more hard to separate the seedlings .
But you do n’t have to worry too much about space , since they wo n’t stay in the containers for too long .
As a general rule , I usually seek to space my seeds about an inch aside . I give a fiddling less quad for small seminal fluid , and I give the gravid ones a bit more room .
Sometimes I plant them nigher together if I have a few leave over . For tiny source , I just spit them over the top of the dirt .
Will my seeds germinate in cold weather?
No . As long as it stay below freezing , your seed will not shoot . It sounds funny , but they are programmed to know when it ’s dependable to start growing .
Won’t the constant freezing and thawing through the winter harm my seeds?
As long as you utilise the correct eccentric of seed , then no . Winter sown seeds are give out through the same discourse as the seeds that have sow themselves naturally in the ground .
In fact , some seeds even benefit from the freeze and warming . It break down their hard outer shells , so we do n’t have to occupy about nick them . And many of them evenneedthe cold to grow .
Can I winter sow seeds in Dixie cups, toilet paper rolls, or egg cartons?
In case you ’re not intimate , the estimate is that the paper will make it gentle to part the seedlings in the spring . And that they will wreak as plantable pots that molder in the garden .
I have experiment with this before , and found it did n’t work on very well . The paper wicks weewee out from the soil , and dries it out very rapidly .
Also , mould can grow on the newspaper , which is not idealistic . Plus , the paper was so brittle by outflow , it disintegrated and did not make it well-to-do for me to separate the seedlings .
You could certainly attempt it to see how well it works for you . Just keep a close eye on the filth moisture level . If wicking becomes a problem , either remove the paper that ’s sticking out , or plow it with more soil .
What should I do with my containers if it snows?
Nothing , let them get covered by snow . Do n’t concern , it ’s all part of the process , and it ’s not plump to trounce the mini greenhouses or harm your seeds .
It ’s decent because , as the snow thaw , it will ooze into the containers , hold get to the stain moist .
In the spring after the Charles Percy Snow melt off my container , I go out there once in a while and toss more Charles Percy Snow on top . That gain it extremely soft to water them .
Do I need to protect the containers from harsh cold if we don’t have snow to insulate them?
Nope . Put them out there in the freezing coldness … and forget about them until natural spring . That ’s the lulu of winter sowing .
We have a big problem with squirrels and raccoons, will they bother my containers?
We have squirrels and raccoon too , and I ’ve never had a problem with them induce into my containers .
If you ’re too nervous to winter sow because of this , try commit out a few test container , and see if any critters bother them .
I would think that since they are closed up fast , the critter will leave them alone . You could always leave the lids on your container until you ’re ready to plant the seedling into the ground .
How do I water the containers?
If the container are categorical on top , you’re able to just shake off snow over them , or pour water supply onto the eyelid . This way , the weewee will filter in through the vent holes .
For milk jugs , or like container , you may pitch them and slowly pour water into the top so it will dribble down the inside . If you pour water directly into the jug , you’re able to displace the seeds or diminished seedling .
If the palpebra are easy to take out , you’re able to open them and water them like you would any other seedlings . But , this can be a big chore when you have lots of containers .
Should I be worried the mini greenhouses are getting too hot in the spring?
Yes . In my experience , this can be a problem . Those mini greenhouses can get pretty hot inside , and the germ / seedling could bake if you leave them in the full sun .
So , once it starts arrive warm in the outflow , you should protect them from the acute afternoon Sunday . You do n’t need them to be in the specter all sidereal day , morning and/or evening sun are ideal .
Put your container under a tree or bush , or next to a fencing , shed , or the house … anything that can provide some shade in the good afternoon .
If a full sun localisation is your only option , then either sum up more holes in the top of the container , or start the eyelid to air them .
Some of my seeds have germinated, but others have not, should I be worried?
Do n’t worry , all of your seeds will not evolve at the same meter . This is altogether normal . Every eccentric of cum is different , and some take longer to maturate than others .
Germination rate will also likely vary from year to year . If it ’s a warm leaping they will germinate quicker . If it ’s cold , it will take longer . My good advice here is to be patient , and give it sentence .
My seedlings are getting tall. Should I take the tops off or leave them on?
you could leave the tops on as long as you want , or take them off whenever you want . Some people leave the lids on until the day they plant the seedlings into the garden .
I take the lid off when the seedling are outgrowing their containers . Sometimes I ’ll take them off on a sunny day if I feel like it ( which is not ask ) , then I put the lids back on at dark .
There are a few thing to keep in psyche once you remove the lids . If the seedling are little , you should protect them from heavy rain .
Also , once the lids are off , the soil will dry out much quicker . So you ’ll need to see on them at least once a mean solar day , and keep them well watered .
What should I do with the seedlings if it’s going to freeze?
Cold hardy winter seed seedlings can brook freezing temperature , and should n’t need to be protected . Just keep the lids on your container overnight , and they will be fine .
It ’s the warm weather condition plants ( the ones that ca n’t brook frost ) that you ’ll need to occupy about . So you might desire to give those seedlings a little extra protection to be secure .
Put the lids on the containers , and then wrap up them with a blanket . Or you could move them into the garage or a shed if that ’s well-situated .
Last year I had all my lids off , and everything was grow great . Then one Nox in May , they were predicting a late freeze ( ugh ! ) .
I could n’t put the lids back on because my seedling were too tall , so I covered them with a mantle ( and prayed ) .
sure as shooting enough , the blanket was covered with freeze the next morning . But , even without their lids , my seedlings were just o.k. under the blanket . Whew !
If you want to determine everything there is to know about winter sowing , then myWinter Sowing eBookwould be perfect for you . It has all the particular and steps you need to be a successful winter sower . Download your transcript today !
Otherwise , if you desire to ascertain all the different methods to grow any type of seed you want , then you should take in mySeed Starting Course . It ’s a comprehensive , ego - paced online course , and it ’s lots fun too . inscribe and get started today !
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