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February 28, 2025

This Week's Garden Gab​
​Winter Sowing: I'm Trying a New Technique

Hi Reader!

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This is the time of year when I start getting antsy! I want to get outside and start working in the garden. I've started planning my Spring layout, etc. already ... in my mind of course, because today's high temperature on this lovely February day that I write this was 32 degrees.

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I'm not a 'real' pro but I love sharing with you so here is something that I just learned about recently... Winter Sowing. It's not a new technique, just new to me ... let's explore!

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In this edition:

• What is Winter Sowing
• What I'm Winter Sowing in Zip Bags
• What I Expect to Happen

Education:

I've learned over the past 5 years that if I want to have nice bell peppers during the summer months instead of in October, and if I want my tomatoes to start early and produce a good long time, aaaannndd if I want to get a start on Marigolds, Nasturtiums, and other cool season plants and herbs, then I'd better start these seeds early in the season.... basically, during late winter.

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Until now, I typically would take over my extra bedroom, set up a folding table, fill small pots, bring out the grow lights and babysit these babies until it was warm enough to move them outside.

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Honestly, I don't enjoy this process, but I need to start them in early March, so they get a good jumpstart when warm weather comes.

Application:

Winter sowing is sowing your seeds outside during late winter, while the weather is still very cold or even snowing. The seeds are planted in a clear covered tub, or in cleaned milk jugs or in plastic zip bags creating a 'greenhouse' effect. So brilliant!

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In all of the millions of gardening videos I've watched in the past five years, I've never seen this zip bag sowing technique.

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Benefits of sowing in ZipLock (or any brand) bags.

1. If like me, you save and reuse zip bags, then you have a ton on hand already.
2. A gallon size can hold the plant as it grows and I won't have to up-pot it before it gets warm outside.
3. No hardening off process (in and out, in and out to get the plants used to the outside) needed.
4. I can easily store and reuse the bags the following year.

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Check out these videos on you tube!

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Selection:

With my newfound knowledge, I decided to plant all of my cool season flowers this year using this method.

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Marigolds: to deter pests

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Nasturtiums: they attract aphids, which means they might not go to my tomatoes, peppers, beans and strawberries.

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Zinnias: because one of my Besties love them so I start them for her, plus they attract lots of bees. I'm not sure how these will do because they like hot weather to germinate but I'm going to try it.

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Purple Basil: I plant these with my tomatoes to deter horn worms.

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Chrysanthemums: I already have several of these plants from last Fall; they are already starting to grow in the beds.

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I'm a little nervous about winter sowing peppers and tomatoes outside! I just can't imagine them germinating in cold weather but because I like a good experiment I'm going to try starting a couple bags outside in addition to the ones I try in my bedroom/grow nursery.

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I'm expecting great results. It seems like such a efficient way to start new seedlings. Stay tuned ... you KNOW I will share the results with you.

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Edification:

Something For Your Gardening Mind

This edition was packed with information so go have some fun now! How'd you do?

​PLANTS MEMORY GAME!​

plants memory game

That's all I have for this edition. Feel free to write me at jangardener@gardenease.org if you have any questions or comments.

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I'll see you in the next edition!

Jan🤗

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If you have questions, comments, praises, complaints, or ideas about gardening or about the newsletter, you can reach me at: jan@gardenease.org