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Kingsville Horticultural Society News: Winter Sowing with Carol Dunn

Kingsville Horticultural Society’s Carol Dunn

The lawn furniture is put away, the leaves are raked, the plants have been cut back and mulched. Now you can take a break as the garden rests. OR NOT! Why don’t you get a jump on spring planting with Winter Sowing?

Carol Dunn (Communities In Bloom, Kingsville Horticultural Society) is an avid promoter of the planting and propagating of Native Plants. She shared her knowledge of Winter Sowing with the KHS on Monday, October 16.

Why should we do this?

Winter sowing is an easy, fun activity for anyone in the family. It’s a great way to put used plastic bottles, old bins, tin cans, etc. to use before recycling.

You simply sow seeds in a container then leave them outside in an area where they will get the rain and snow.

Your plants will get a head start on growing and can be transplanted early because they will have become acclimatized to the cold.

Native plants do need cold stratification but you can also sow other flower seeds and even vegetable seeds.

A good soil will help you grow healthy plants. Carol recommends HP Pro mix or any potting soil that does not contain a moisture component. She also soaks her soil in warm water the night before planting.

Before you fill your container with about 4 inches of soil, remember to make drainage holes in the bottom. Also, keep the top of the container open so the moisture can get in – tops off of bottles, holes made in any plastic covers.

All done?

Almost. You will want to label the containers so you know what those lovely green plants are when they emerge in the Spring. You can use a label gun, masking tape with a permanent marker, craft stick with a protective covering over the name or draw a diagram. With practice, you will find a method that works for you.

When are we ready to replant? 

Once you see germination in your containers, open them up to the sunlight. It is best to wait until the second set of true leaves have sprouted before removing the young plants.

It’s that easy! You can go ahead and start winter sowing in the fall or in the winter as late as March. Those starting veggies may want to wait until January or February.

Thanks to Carol, many of us are now collecting bottles and containers! Give winter sowing a try – it just may become a yearly habit.

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