Winter sowing?

[tortoise]

Has anyone tried winter sowing? Mini greenhouse style or not?

I'm giving it a try to space out the physical work of gardening. Planting seeds is the most difficult task for me, but I think it will go better when the weather is cold and the sun less intense.

 

[Britesea]

We had a few volunteer tomatoes come up this summer. They sprouted AFTER I had planted all my carefully tended greenhouse-grown transplants, and ended up being the first ones to give us tomatoes. Every single one that I picked, I saved the seeds... hoping to get tomatoes that consistently ripen extra early for our short growing season. I picked up some landrace tepary beans and okra this year to do the same thing. For those that don't know (I didn't for the longest time), a landrace is a variety of plant that still has a wide genetic diversity in it. The idea is to select and save the seed from the plants that give you the qualities you are looking for. Again, I'm hoping for a dry bean that will mature during our short growing season.

 

[Mini Horses]

Read an article once where a lady put her seeds in plant pots in Fall, into non heated greenhouse or cold frame and just waited until spring. As they sprouted she would prepare for transplanting. Some cole crops and root types were even left out in snow and all. Her theory was that Mother Nature knew best. Says it worked for most all.

I know I've had volunteer come up and do very well....often earlier than I'd have gotten in house, certainly no prep or care from me. Go for it!

 

[Trying2keepitReal]

My tepary beans did very well; first time I've been able to get dried beans out of our garden. I got about a quart out of a 3x9' patch, and there were still green ones and even a few flowers when the frost finally hit. Planning on cooking some soon, to make sure we like the taste; if we do, I'll be expanding to bigger/more plots next spring

I got dried beans for the first time this year as well. I only got a half pint but better than nothing!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

What a great idea! I know that a lot of seeds survive our winter here, but our winters aren't horrible. But, I've had tomatoes, basil, and even the hot weather loving okra come back voluntarily. I bet there are other things that would survive. I think it would be worth a try! I'll let you go first, lol!

 

[tortoise]

I raked dead weeds off two beds (3' x 30' each) and broadcast sowed carrots and cherry radishes mix and kohlrabi and cover crop radish mix. I mixed them with peat moss on hopes of better spacing.

I also broadcast sowed about 3 pounds of white clover seed in the area I probably wont grow much in. The clover can get thick enough to choke out other weeds, but its not so dominant as to threaten what I plant. I dont have enough clover established to make a big difference. Sowing in late fall has been most successful way for me to get it started. Next best way was growing "plugs" in seed starter trays and transplanting.

 

[Trying2keepitReal]

Older thread--but I was just reading up on some stuff for winter sowing that I will have to try next year as it is a bit late in the year.

BUT I do some cold sowing in the super early spring in milk jugs outside in the snow. I usually plant peas and beans but would like to try planting carrots next Aug, letting them grow and then cover them to "store" over the winter and then just go an pick what we need from the beds. I find this very interesting and am excited to see if it will work.

I also plant garlic in October-this year I put in 14 cloves, which should be just enough for us.

 

[Britesea]

My tepary beans did very well; first time I've been able to get dried beans out of our garden. I got about a quart out of a 3x9' patch, and there were still green ones and even a few flowers when the frost finally hit. Planning on cooking some soon, to make sure we like the taste; if we do, I'll be expanding to bigger/more plots next spring

 

[flowerbug]

I got dried beans for the first time this year as well. I only got a half pint but better than nothing!

if you are looking for short season dry beans there are several that work well for me plus i am always breeding more to try out too. are you in the USoA? if so PM me after the first of the year and i'll get a selection for you set up to mail out for next season. also for beans in general if you really like beans join up on TEG and follow the bean threads. we have a lot of people there who grow a lot of beans. (enabler moi? > )

 

[tortoise]

I raked dead weeds off two beds (3' x 30' each) and broadcast sowed carrots and cherry radishes mix and kohlrabi and cover crop radish mix. I mixed them with peat moss on hopes of better spacing.

I also broadcast sowed about 3 pounds of white clover seed in the area I probably wont grow much in. The clover can get thick enough to choke out other weeds, but its not so dominant as to threaten what I plant. I dont have enough clover established to make a big difference. Sowing in late fall has been most successful way for me to get it started. Next best way was growing "plugs" in seed starter trays and transplanting.

The clover and jackhammer radish did great. DS14 hoed the row with radish and carrot - and I saw a couple of those radishes pop up in fall 2021!

I would repeat winter sowing for cover crop, but not veggies.