Starting Seeds & Winter Sowing

If you consider the time of year, not surprisingly, I've had a lot of visitors to my blog who are searching for more information on either Winter Sowing or seed starting.

So, my 2 cents on the subject (Please take it as such!).

As you can imagine, living up here in the lake effect pummeled part of Upstate New York, our indoor seed starting times are, more than likely, quite a bit more delayed than in other areas of the state. Or country, for that matter.

Up here, it's quite the complicated guessing game as to 'exactly' when to start what. We've had snow as late as the end of May, and years with deep freezes into June. As a matter of fact, we had a snowstorm a few years back on Mother's day, and I remember a certain July 4th that was absolutely frigid. We donned winter coats to go watch the firework displays! And the flooding is no picnic either...or the droughts...or sultery, humid summers. But, back to topic.

Usually it's quite a simple process to figure out when to start anything inside - just know your last frost date, read the package to find out when to transplant (most all of them will have the info written on the back), and count backwards from planting time (so many weeks before or after your last frost date) as to when to sow them.

Don't know your first or last frost date? No problem! Just go to Victory Seeds First & Last Average Frost Date, select your state and then your nearest city.

But remember, these are just averages and you'd probably get more narrowed information from neighbors and local gardeners that have lived in your vicinity for a while, so this is more of a guide than info set in stone - I live in a bit of my own micro-climate, so it's usually way off for me. I'm doing well so far to not start anything too early, but it's getting more difficult every day to stare at those packages and not plant something! In fact, each day I pay a tad more attention to where that little butterfly is on my 'countdown to Spring' ticker.

Don't want to do the counting? Problem solved by simply plugging the dates into this handy little Grow Guide. I've had this link listed on my blog for quite a while, but I don't think many ever notice it.

You don't even have to buy pots if your in the mood to Make Your Own.

Ways to start seed are as varied as the sowers themselves, but here are a few places to get you started:

The Seed Site

NDSU

Weekend Gardener

Taunton's Fine Gardening

Savvy Gardener

If you just have a question and want a quick answer (that you can't find already answered in the FAQ section) GardenWeb is full of experienced gardeners (they're very friendly, so don't be afraid to ask anything!) and is the best place to get fast replies.

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Winter Sowing is a different matter. No muss, no fuss, no coddling, no light set up, no inside space needed, (usually) no damp off, and a yard full of strong hardy plants. It couldn't be easier! :

Grab a used (but clean!) container. Milk jugs and big soda bottles are perfect!

Cut, drill or slice drain holes in the bottom.

Cut or slice vent holes in the 'shoulders' or top of the container (these will be enlarged as the temps rise). I make 3 or 4 U shaped slices - I find it much easier to just use small toothpicks or sticks jammed in to these openings to widen them as it warms up rather than keep enlarging slits constantly.

Cut it in half, about 3 or 4 inches up, leaving a hinge by the handle for easy venting come heat of spring. Some people prefer to cut the top off completely or make a 'window'.

Fill with at least 3 inches of a good potting soil (it doesn't have to be the expensive stuff!).

Sow seeds as directed on seed packet.

Tape shut with duct tape.

Stick outside and wait for spring and sprouts.

Bottom water if the soil in the containers starts to dry or add more drain holes if they seem to stay too wet.

Voila! Plants easy as pie and on the cheap. This site explains it all: Winter Sown. And for a SASE, Trudi Davidoff will send you free seeds to get you started.

Colleen, at In the Garden Online, also has an informative article at Suite101 on Winter Sowing.

If you're still sitting on the fence about trying this method, or have more questions, just pop over to the Winter Sowing forum on GardenWeb to have them answered in a jiffy.

I hope I've helped out with some of the answers to the questions people have been searching for.

Good luck and have fun! After all, isn't that what it's all about?

I'm So......Untrendy

Carol asked about the next big idea, so I blame her for getting me thinking.

According to Gardening Media Group:

Garden Trends For 2007

1. Outdoor Living is In ------ Indoor Living is Out

2. Escape Gardens Are In -------- Everyday Gardens Are Out

3.Streamlined Gardens Are In ------- Shabby Chic Gardens Are Out

4. Eco-Chic Gardens Are In ------- Chemical Needy Gardens Are Out

5. Small Space Gardens Are In ------- Colossal Gardens Are Out

6. Larger than Life Accents Are In --- Peak-a-Boo Accessories Are Out

7. Foliage in Focus Is In ------- Flowers Only Are Out

8. Multi-tasking Gardens Are In --- Time Consuming Gardens Are Out

9. Fancy Plants Are In ----------- Basic Plants Are Out

10. Designer Veggies Are In ---------- Store Bought Veggies Are Out

11. Masses of Any Color Are In -------- Colorless Masses Are Out

12. 24-Hour Gardens Are In ---------- Daytime Only Gardens Are Out

1. This one strikes me as a bit ridiculous. As a gardener, I've been living outdoors all my life, starting with a few lounge chairs, a small table and a picnic table in the middle of my grandmothers garden. I always considered it 'the other room'. And she had this flowering bush (Of course, now I have no idea what it was) that you could tunnel under and became my 'playhouse' every summer - tea sets and all. Unless you're somewhere where the weather is nice all year, a silk chaise lounge and tv just aren't practical. (Ever get the impression these trends are always geared towards California livin'?)

2. Uh, every garden should be considered an 'escape'. I think we all de-stress working with plants, even if they're the basics or in containers.

3. Shabby Chic is out? Bummer, because that's what my style will always be! Streamlined is, well, usually boring. Tidy I like, but streamlined, not so much.

4. Ok, this is something I've always practiced, so one point for me.

5. And where, oh where would I put all those winter sown plants in a tiny space? No way. Small space gardening is just gardeners under duress - not enough space to garden, so they improvise, not downsize. If they have any space, by golly, they'll fill it!

6. "designers are creating the same amount of impact with larger plants and garden accessories". Funny, I thought you just told me they were using "dwarf-sized annuals, perennials and shrubs are now specifically bred for small spaces"? I thought fairy gardens were the new thing? Those fairies are gonna look pretty silly staring up at some monster plant!

7. Guys, catch up - gardeners have grown and admired plants for 'foliage only' for years!

8. Umm, Ornamental Kale or Rhubarb Chard ring any bells? Also been done for years. Anyway, most gardeners don't consider their gardens as 'time consuming' as much as they enjoy the time they spend gardening. If they considered it nothing more than a time consuming chore, they wouldn't do it year after year. Wow, how many of these 'trend-setting designers' are actual gardeners?

9. Well, gee...is that why all those catalog descriptions always add "Amaze you're gardening friends with this unusual plant?" And, hate to burst your bubble, but I'll bet many more gardeners are returning to the heirloom varieties or native plants than you might think! We all like to experiment with something new and exotic, but the basics ain't goin' anywhere.

10. Hmmm, I get to give the same answer to this one as I did to 8 and 9.

11. Huh? Isn't this what every flower gardener strives for? Gardeners have loved 'drifts' of color for ever. Most are beautiful enough to take your breath away. Wow, kinda like mother nature does things, eh? So not a new trend.

12. ~sigh~ So not new.

Wow, 1 for me, 11 for the trend-setters. I'm so happy to have lost this one!

Crockett Rocked It

Anyone remember James Crockett? No? Alright young 'uns, how about Crockett's Victory Garden?

Ah, yes, drop the Crockett and voila - Victory Garden. Just isn't the same anymore, is it?

I found a bit of interesting history while mulling over my nostalgia for the show:

"The show debuted on April 16, 1975 was originally produced by James Underwood Crockett and was entitled Crockett's Victory Garden. The garden was located at WGBH's studios in Allston, Massachusetts. Crockett died July 11, 1979 soon after the show became successful. Bob Thompson hosted from Crockett's death until 1991 when failing eyesight prompted him to step down as host. He died on October 2, 2003, following a battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Roger Swain began appearing on the show in the mid 1980s, and hosted it from 1991 until 2001. In that year, longtime producer Russell Morash decided to end his tenure, leading to a complete turnover in the cast and crew. Swain has differentiated between the show he was on and the current Victory Garden show: "If you get rid of Ernie and Cookie Monster and Big Bird, you don't have Sesame Street anymore," he said. "So let's call the new show something else, because whatever it is, it ain't The Victory Garden." "

He wasn't kidding!

I so miss that show. Victory Garden has got to be one of the better gardening shows still on TV, though Michael Weishan doesn't really rock my socks. I wonder what it is about him that turns me off?

I like Erica Glasner, she's not afraid to admit she doesn't know a plant, but she's just so...boring.

Paul James, well, he gets points just for the fact my kids and D will sit still long enough to watch a gardening show. I take silent glee in the fact they are learning something and don't even realize it.

Garden Police, eh. I can take 'em or leave 'em. I don't like the fact they never mention exactly how much all those 'perfectly suited' plants are costing. Hope that show has a large budget.

Rebecca's Garden I consider my so-so gardening show. I'll watch if I'm in the mood. Rebecca Kolls does have personality, but I've finally faced the fact that some of her stuff is plain ole dumb. I gave up on her after the pond build. NOT nishikigoi friendly, Honey! In any way, shape or form!

There's one I can't quite remember the name of - it's on the tip of my tongue, but I've probably mentally blocked it because of my distaste for the host. Don't get me wrong, there's lots of good plant info and they do tell you how much all those plants cost, but the host is so dang condescending to the guests! I cringe every time he makes a rude remark or gives plant info as if they were five. Who does that to their friends, much less people they hardly know?

All right, rant over for the day. There's only whining left now and I'm feeling much like Veruca Salt. "I want Crockett's Victory Garden back. I want it nooooowwww!"

It's Coming

Well, against my better judgement it is, but Mother Nature (she's been quite the cranky old bird this year) has her own ideas of how things should be run.

Fall. What is she thinking? 39F? Already? Seriously? Sooo not a good joke.

You'd think my DH would learn...

Him: "Do you have to save everything?"

I wait for the inevitable flustered gesture and accompanying eye roll.

Me: "Ummm, let me think a minute." Polite pause as if I'd really consider such a nonsensical question. "Yes!"

Resigned sigh as he grabs hold of the opposite side of the 8000 pound elephant ear/canna pot.

Ahhh, the annual fall bring-it-all-in dance. Loverly!

Time to pinch, poke, repot, dig, store, debug and dedirt it all. Now, why are husbands/in-laws/neighbors/basic non-gardeners so slow to learn the yearly garden ritual of ItMustAllBeSavedOrTheGardenGodsWillExactTheirRevengeNextYearOnTheEntireYard thing?

And then there's the IMustNotFailToGetTheseSuckersToOverwinterOrI'mATotalFailureAsAGardener rule.

And, the IfIOnlyStartOneCuttingItWillSurelyCroakAndI'llBe'WhateverPlant'PlantlessInSpringSo
80MustBeStarted rule?

Lets not mention the MustStartEverySingleSeedICanGetMyGrubbyLittleHandsOn rule as it isn't quite time for that ... yet. (the saving of seed part is a whole 'nother ritual/rule thing entirely!)

Look, I like plants much (oh, so much) more than I like people. Yeah, so plants are a dime a dozen and cheap. So are people (yes both a dime a dozen and some I know could be considered to lean toward the tacky, cheapish side), but would you throw one of them on the compost pile because they were looking a tad scraggly? Aside from the arrest and conviction thing, I mean.

Heh, thought not.
:)