Does Anyone Do Wintersowing?

[Judi Dial]

If so, can you tell me what works and doesn't other than what's on the website? Things you wished you'd known, etc.

Thanks!
Judi

(Website: wintersown(dot)org)

[madhen]

I've never deliberately tried it, but I get "volunteer" tomatoes every year from seeds that fell the summer before, so it obviously doesn't hurt them to sit outside in the snow and rain all year! I have enough windowsill space inside to allow me to just plant early, but if you give it a try, I'd love to hear YOUR results!!

[old_lady_in_the_shoe]

I have not personally done this, we have long wet and very windy springs, so it just wouldn't work well for us. We do get volunteers each year back, so it should work, but I always figured that the seeds would be washed away from the heavy rains and such.

I do know that some people who do this actually sow the seeds in containters, not directly into the ground. they use containers that have a clear lid and make a "tiny unheaded greenhouse" for them.

You are also suppost to look for seeds that actually need to be chilled and such for this or "native" type of seeds (that would naturally overwinter and reseed themself), but I am not sure if you are limited to these.

It would definitely be a good idea if you wanted to start seed but didn't have the room inside for it. My guess is that it would be a great idea for raised beds too.

I look forward to hearing what others have to say about this too.

[CrazyHomemaker]

I tried radishes, onions, beets, lettuce, cabbage and collards this year. Root veggies are supposed to do well in the winter. I may need to get a cold box for next year.

The radishes always do well. In fact, I have to get a new planting in now.

The beets did not produce. The lettuce was small. The cabbage is stunted because of the freezing temps we had. I think they'll come around. The collards from seed are still growing. The collards from plants are gone. The onions will keep for a while. I keep forgetting about them. I have a lot out there.