All-America SelectionsAll-America SelectionsAll-America SelectionsAll-America Selections
  • AAS Winners
    • Search AAS Winners
    • Buy Winners
    • Complete AAS Winner List
    • About AAS Winners
    • Judges’ Biographies
  • Display Gardens
    • Visit an AAS Display Garden
    • Design Challenge Winners
    • Become an AAS Display Garden
    • Info for Current Display Gardens
  • Blog
  • About
    • About AAS
    • AAS Garden Types
    • AAS Award Recipients
    • AAS Meetings
      • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Annual Reports
    • AAS Judges
  • Industry
    • Enter AAS Trials
    • AAS Media Kit
    • AAS Introduction Gardens
    • AAS Ambassador Tools
    • Signs and Brochures
    • Wholesale Sources
    • Judge’s Login
  • Contact
Next Previous

Winter Sow Your AAS Winners

7 February, 2017
Winter Sow - Many Containers

Here’s How to Winter Sow….

It’s the dead of winter and you just want to be out in your garden planting, well here is a great way to get your hands dirty and your seeds started…Winter Sow!

Winter sowing is the easiest way to get your plants started by letting the changing seasons help.  You plant your seeds in the winter in plastic jugs and the warming springs bring the seeds to life in their own little greenhouse!

To Start…

1. Gather your supplies

Winter Sow Find Your Containers

Plastic Jugs like gallon water or milk jugs, 2-liter soda bottles or any clear jug that you can work with easily and that will hold 3-4 inches of soil.  If you do not have anything, ask around to neighbors or local cafes or coffee houses. I found mine at a local cafe that saved them for my once or twice a week pick up. Be sure to rinse out the jugs before you use them.

Drill or Corn Cob Holder
Potting Soil
Duct tape
Permanent marker that will stay on through the weather
Seed selection like our AAS Winners

2. Drill holes in the bottom of the jug for drainage.

If you drill before the jugs are cut, use a drill to make 4 or 5 holes in the bottom of the jug. If you cut your jug apart first and then make the holes, use a corn cob holder. Please note, it is easier to make the holes when punctured from the inside out.

3. Cut jug apart with a box cutter or scissors leaving enough room in the bottom section for 3-4 inches of soil.

Winter Sow Cut Your Container

Leaving a small section attached to each other makes it easier to reconnect but not necessary for final success.

4. Dampen your soil mix thoroughly but not too wet so water pools in the container.

Winter Sow Dampen Soil

Use a good all-purpose soil mix or one that works for seed starting.

5. Plant Your Seeds

Winter Sow Plant Seeds

Now it’s time to plant your seeds.  Depending on the size of the plants will determine how many to plant in your container.  If you are sowing tomato seeds, do about 4-5 seeds or so.  You want to have enough soil for each plant when you transplant into your garden.  The general rule for planting is to plant deep twice the size of the seed.

Note: The seeds will germinate at the time they would naturally – meaning cool weather crops, broccoli, kale, spinach, etc will germinate earlier than warmer season crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash.  Don’t despair and think the warm season seeds won’t come up because they will, just be patient!

6. Close the Container

Winter Sow Close the Container

Make sure you secure the entire seam with duct tape so it is an enclosed environment. Before closing, you may want to add a stick with the variety name on it or use a permanent marker and write the name or number on each container. Be sure that the cap is off the jugs or if no opening, add a few vent holes for oxygen exchange!

Your Containers Are Ready!

Winter Sow Ready

Now it’s time to bring your containers outside and let nature do its thing.  These containers can be put out in the coldest of weather and can be covered with snow.  But you don’t need to have a super cold winter to benefit from winter sowing.  Think of winter sowing as a way to get a head start on your gardening, like a greenhouse for your seeds on a really small scale.

Once the sun becomes stronger and the weather warmer, be sure to take the lid off the jug to let the plants harden off.  When your area is frost-free and you are able to plant your seedlings, remove them with some soil and plant in your garden.  You will be surprised at how strong and healthy these plants are and how much earlier you will receive fruits and flowers!

And next year you will do more…guaranteed!

Winter Sow - Many Containers

2 comments

  • Amy Landers Reply 02/14/2017 at 7:02 PM

    What a great idea! We get our milk in glass jars, so I may have to track down someone else’s milk jugs. Or I have some clamshell plastic containers saved from salad mixes. Those might be a little too short, but I’m curious to see what happens. Thanks for sharing!

    • All-America Selections Admin Reply 02/14/2017 at 7:10 PM

      Clamshell containers should work fine! We got our jugs from a local cafe. They were more than happy to save them for us.

Leave a Comment

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




The maximum upload file size: 64 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video, document, spreadsheet, interactive, other. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop file here

Follow Blog via Email



Topics

  • AAS in the News
  • AAS Winners
  • Edible Winners
  • Flower/Ornamental Winners
  • Gardening Tips
  • Perennial Winners
  • Pollinator Garden
  • Recipes

Archives

  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • December 2022
  • August 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • October 2018
  • August 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • July 2015
  AAS Winners

MISSION STATEMENT

“To promote new garden varieties with superior garden performance judged in impartial trials in North America.”

CONTACT

5201 Walnut Ave. Suite 3
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: 630-963-0770

QUICKLINKS

  • AAS Winners
  • Media Kit
  • Judge’s Login

ENEWS SIGN-UP

  AAS Winners
Copyright © 2023 All-America Selections.
  • AAS Winners
    • Search AAS Winners
    • Complete AAS Winner List
    • About AAS Winners
    • Judges’ Biographies
  • Newsletter Sign up
  • Display Gardens
    • Visit an AAS Display Garden
    • Design Challenge Winners
    • Become an AAS Display Garden
    • Info for Current Display Gardens
  • News
  • About
    • About AAS
    • AAS Award Recipients
    • AAS Meetings
    • Annual Reports
  • Industry
    • AAS Introduction Gardens
    • Media Kit
    • AAS Garden Types
    • Signs and Brochures
    • AAS Ambassador Tools
    • Breeders’ Entry Information
    • Wholesale Sources of AAS Winners
    • Judge’s Login
  • Contact
All-America Selections