So this year I have been reading about a new technique for starting seeds. \u00a0It’s called winter sowing. \u00a0The basic idea is to plant seeds inside a tiny greenhouse (like a milk jug) and set them outside. \u00a0Yes, outside. \u00a0The container they are in protects them a bit and they get a better start. \u00a0Winter sown seeds also have the advantage of not needing to be hardened off (or acclimated slowly to being outside) like the inside seeds. \u00a0You also don’t need huge grow light set ups in your house, helpful for those of us that have small houses.<\/p>\n
Like the psycho researcher that my family claims I am, I set about finding out how and when. \u00a0Here are some of the best articles to read up on this topic.<\/p>\n
– A how to from Trudi Davidoff (who developed the method originally) at GardenWeb<\/a>.<\/p>\n – An awesome tutorial from Kevin Lee Jacobs at A Garden for the House<\/a>. \u00a0He also has articles on what kind of containers to use, what seeds work best and tons of other advice. \u00a0Once I read all the winter sowing info, I spent an entire afternoon reading all about his house built in the early 1800s and his many gardens. \u00a0I highly recommend it.<\/p>\n Since I didn’t want to put all my eggs in one basket I thought I would try seeds with both methods. \u00a0Here are the seeds (so far) I have bought this spring that I am planning to grow this year. \u00a0I am also going to plant some of the seeds I have left over from previous years.<\/p>\n Inside I have started two newspaper pots each of organic Brandywine Tomatos, organic Cal Wonder Peppers and organic Sweet Basil. \u00a0Those got planted on 2\/17 and I just looked in this morning to find teeeeny basil shoots coming up. \u00a0Now to find a spot in the sun for them.<\/p>\n Outside I am starting a whole bunch! \u00a0I have had friends and family saving containers. \u00a0After my first two rounds of winter sowing here are a few things I want to mention.<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0To get the labels off the containers, fill the container with hot tap water and let them sit for a minute. \u00a0The labels should peel right off without being sticky. Then dump the hot water into the next container and repeat. \u00a0This will also help for rinsing any gook out of them.<\/p>\n 2. Many websites tell you to burn or melt holes in the plastic containers. \u00a0I don’t think burning plastic is ever a good idea. \u00a0It’s nasty stuff. \u00a0Instead I used a paddle bit and my drill. \u00a0First pierce the jug with the pointy part and then hit the drill trigger once. \u00a0 \u00a0Just go as far as the pointy triangle part in the middle. If you push the whole bit in (including the 2 wings on the side) you will end up with very big holes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3. \u00a0When using the paddle bit be careful. \u00a0The jug will probably be wet and slippery.<\/p>\n 4. If you are thinking in your head at anytime “This is a stupid and dangerous way to do this” – stop. \u00a0I was so careful until I got cocky. \u00a0Things always take a turn after you get cocky. \u00a0And FYI, when the pointy end of that drill bit pokes into the palm of your hand it will hurt a lot and it will bleed.<\/p>\n 5. I find that getting the soil wet in a bucket (or my big blue bowl) before starting works best. \u00a0Water can run right off dry potting soil and make a mess. \u00a0Put the moistened soil into the containers and then give them a soak to get air pockets out. I then let them drain on cooling racks set in cookie sheets until ready to plant.<\/p>\n 6. Double label things. \u00a0I have only marked the outside but I have been told the sun will fade the marker and you won’t know what is what. \u00a0You can mark the bottom, put cut up mini blinds or tongue depressors inside, or go all Sheldon Cooper and use bar codes, whatever. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.<\/p>\n 6. Working with soil and seeds inside, where it is not cold and snowy, is pretty awesome.<\/p>\n Here is the first round. \u00a0I have since added a bunch more which I apparently haven’t taken pictures of, but I will. \u00a0This was taken right when I put them outside on the table. \u00a0A little while later it occurred to me that Mr. Opie would have no problem reaching these. \u00a0I moved them over behind the gate in between the gardens right away!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Ridiculous-Redhead-new-seeds-2013-1024x838.jpg\" "\\"Ridiculous")
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