How to winter sow seeds outdoors

Most people think of winter as a time when nothing grows. However, many plants and seeds do well under wintertime conditions. Farmers plant winter wheat and rye, while home gardeners plant those seeds that need stratification to grow in the spring.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Read seed packages to determine the best time to plant. If the package specifies fall planting, the seed needs stratification, or winter freeze, to help germinate the seed. Plant the seed just before the first freeze of the season.

2. Plant rye grasses or winter wheat seed just before a snow. The snow will insulate the seed as it germinates in the ground.

3. Spread any type of winter sown seed thickly over the surface to be planted. Err on the side of too much rather than too little.

4. Thin germinated plants if necessary. Allow the seedlings to grow 1 or 2 inches before deciding to thin.

5. Mulch heavily over winter sown vegetable seeds, such as peas, onion and garlic. While most winter vegetables can handle cold weather, the mulch will protect the plants from a prolonged hard freeze.

Tips & Warnings

• Research the seeds you wish to plant during the winter. Some specific varieties will do better than others of the same type.
• Seed stratification also can be performed in a freezer. If it is too late in the winter to plant, place the seeds in the freezer for several weeks and plant in early spring.

[MidniteWriter]

on 5/29/2009 Never knew you could plant during winter, thanks!