Susan Ernst of the Greenbrier Valley Master Gardeners was the presenter for the Master Gardeners education portion of their business meeting Jan. 8, always the second Thursday of the month. Her presentation on winter seed sowing indicates the passion (and frugality) of many gardeners as we are champing at the bit to get our hands into the dirt.
The many benefits of winter seed sowing include no wind, no worry of too much (or too little) rain, bugs, or the dreaded fungus. The materials are very simple and take advantage of seeds natural ability to wake up and grow and trusting that nature will do what nature will do.
Containers that have domes are needed as the overall arching goal is to create a “greenhouse” to warm the soil and start the natural germination process of seeds.
Winter sowing in milk jugs is a low-cost method to start hardy seeds outdoors in mini greenhouses, using the natural cold to stratify them, creating a “set it and forget it” system where you cut jugs, add moist potting mix, sow seeds (densely), tape them shut (leaving the lid loose), and place them outside for snow and rain to water them, transplanting seedlings in spring when ready.
How to winter sow in milk jugs:
• Prepare the Jugs: Wash and dry gallon milk jugs; cut around the middle, leaving a small hinge at the handle.
• Add Drainage: Poke several holes in the bottom for drainage and some air holes near the top.
• Add Soil: Fill the bottom half with about 3-4 inches of moist potting mix (not seed starting mix).
• Sow Seeds: Plant seeds densely according to packet depth, then lightly cover with soil.
• Close & Label: Tape the jug shut with duct tape, leaving the lid slightly ajar or the cap off, and label clearly.
• Place Outside: Set jugs in a sunny, sheltered spot where they’ll get rain/snow.
• Monitor: Open the tops on warm days if condensation builds; transplant when seedlings have true leaves.
The best seeds to use are self seeding perennials, annuals that are cold hardy, native plants, and plants that need striations such as milkweed, coneflower, poppies, lupine, lavender, strawberries, blueberries.
Why postpone joy? Take your lead from Mother Nature to get a head start on your seed sowing. “On your mark, get set…grow!”
