I like Container Gardening....can I Winter Sow?
Yes you can.....and this can be LOTS of fun!
When should I sow the seeds? I've got barrels and other planters.
If you can get them sown right before the soil in them freezes hard for the Winter you'll be doing just fine.
My planters have already frozen! What can I do?
This is easy too. You simply need a bag of room temperature potting soil. This is how you do it:
Go to your frozen planter. If your seeds are very tiny (the type that don't need to be covered and just patted into the soil surface) you have to put a layer of potting soil on top of the frozen soil in the container, an inch thick layer of potting soil is just fine. Sprinkle your seeds onto the surface of the potting soil and pat them in firmly with the palm of your hand.
If you've got seeds that need to be covered it's just as easy too. Sprinkle your seeds on top of the frozen soil in the container and then cover them with the potting soil to the correct depth, firmly pat the soil down with the palm of your hand.
There's no need to water the seeds in the containers as Mother Nature will provide rain or snow. If your container is in a sheltered location you should give it a light drink of water.....use a watering can that has a sprinkler nozzle on it. You don't want to water the soil with a hose that gushes out a stream of water, it will dislodge the seeds and move them all about from where they were sown.
Here are a few suggestions for pretty annual combinations, you can come up with your own combinations too; choose your favorite flowers and veggies and you'll be happy:
Dark blue bachelor buttons in the middle of the container and trailing nasturtiums for the edges.
Melampodium in the middle and purple alyssum around the edges.
Tomatoes in the middle and short basil or marigolds for the edges.
Cosmos in the middle and candytuft for the edges.
Mini-gourds or tiny pumpkins for the center (with a trellis or stake for them to grow on) and signet marigolds for the edges.
The Three Sisters: A few seeds of early corn, a few seeds of small gourds, pumpkins, or squash, and some bean seeds....vining or bush, both are okay. (If you're interested in learning about Native American Culture a Three Sisters Garden is a wonderful beginning!)
There's as many combinations to sow as you like to invent or can think of, there's no right or wrong color grouping. Some folks love soft pastels and some like hot, Hot, HOT colors.
You can sow perennials in containers too, it's all up to you!
Tip suggests these links for further study.
Compiled by Alison P. Kelly, May, 2004
Science Reference Section
Science, Technology, and Business Division
Library of Congress
by Anne Streich, Horticulture Educator
and Kelly Feehan, Extension Educator
and Kim Todd, Extension Landscape Specialist
Factsheet No. G1363
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension
by Eric Hsu, Irene Lekstutis, Frank Naples
and Sonja Skelly, Pam Shade, Elissa Wolfson
Botanical Garden
Cornell Plantations
Cornell University
Urban Programs Resource Network
University of Illinois Extension
by Dr. Bob Black, Consumer Horticultural Specialist
Dr. Bob's Gardening Tips
Environmental Horticulture Program
University of Florida IFAS Extension
by Dr. Leonard P. Perry, Extension Professor
Perry's Perennial Pages
Department of Plant and Soil Science
University of Vermont Cooperative Extension
by Tigon Harmison, Horticulture Extension Intern
Horticulture & Home Pest News
Issue: IC-495(13) -- June 7, 2006
Iowa State University Extension
by Sam Cotner, Extension Horticulturist
Aggie Horticulture
Texas A&M University System Cooperative Extension
Water Gardening
Urban Programs Resource Network
University of Illinois Extension
