7 Benefits of Winter Sowing in January
Winter sowing is all the rage! But what is it? It’s a low-cost seed-starting process that you can do in the thick of winter. Seasoned gardener Jerad Bryant shares these seven benefits of winter sowing in January.
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Grab your milk jugs, potting soil, and frost-tolerant seeds, and get ready to winter sow your favorite plants. This method makes mini-greenhouses out of household materials. When you plant seeds in them, they stay slightly warmer than ambient outdoor temperatures and “wake up” naturally with the seasons.
Although milk jugs are the most common material for this method, there are infinitely more options. Repurpose an old plastic tote, shoebox, or yogurt container. Anything can turn into a mini-greenhouse! If the plastic object has drainage holes, a lid, and space for growing plants, it’ll work for sprouting seeds.
You may winter sow seeds in January no matter what hardiness zone you live in, although this method works better in some areas than others. It’s best for growers with recurring winter frosts. The containers protect the plants from snow, and the melting snow provides moisture for the seeds. Growers in warm zones without winter frosts should direct sow seeds instead.
7 Winter Sowing Benefits
Still need convincing? Here are seven other benefits of using mini-greenhouses outside. Try it today and see the results for yourself!
It’s Easy
Easy and efficient, sowing seeds in mini-greenhouses saves you valuable time. Spring can grow hectic quickly; most plants germinate as temperatures warm and days lengthen. Winter sowing allows you to plant seeds around January and leave them be. They’ll be out of sight and out of mind until they germinate on their own!
To create a mini-greenhouse, start by finding a container you can repurpose. Poke drainage holes in the bottom using a drill, sharp knife, or a hot glue gun without glue; use the glue gun’s hot tip to burn small holes in the plastic.
Cut milk jugs in half, leaving their handle side connected. The tops should open easily like a hinge. Place potting soil inside the jugs, plant seeds, and label the outside so you know what you’re growing. Tape the top back to the bottom, then leave the jugs’ caps off. Air and water will flow through the hole while excess moisture drains from the bottom.
Other containers work similarly. Create drainage holes in the bottom, make a ventilation hole on the lid, and fill the vessel with potting soil and seeds. Ensure the soil inside is moist, then place the lid on top and situate your containers under partial shade in the garden.
You Save Money
Sowing seeds indoors allows more control over the seedlings while they sprout,. However, you need heat mats, grow lights, pots, and trays. A simple setup can quickly grow too expensive! Unlike indoor seed starting, this method requires few materials.
The materials you need are often already around the house. Milk jugs make perfect mini-greenhouses, though takeout containers, sour cream containers, and other vessels work just as well. Use what you have and you’ll avoid spending money. Then, you can splurge later in the season if you need more seeds, potted plants, or potting soil.
Help your budget further by making your soil mix at home! Combine homemade compost, coco coir, and drainage components to create the ideal seed starting mix. Try this perfect ratio from Epic Gardening founder Kevin Espiritu and the garden hermit Jacques Lyakov:
- 1/3 pumice
- 1/3 coir
- 1/3 compost, worm castings, Azomite
Cold Crops Prefer It
Some garden species love growing while conditions are cool, moist, and frosty. Plants like lettuce and kale grow bitter in summer as they adapt to low water and high heat. Winter sow them, and you’ll let them germinate when outdoor conditions are most suitable for optimal growth.
Brassica is a genus of vegetables that appreciate growing under cool temperatures. The genus includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower. The best ones to winter sow are Brussels sprouts and Siberian kale, as they prefer slightly colder temperatures than their relatives.
Although cold crops are the best choices for this method, you may use it with any plant! Just know that the warmer the plant prefers, the longer it’ll take to sprout. Heat-lovers like peppers and tomatoes won’t germinate until early summer, if they do at all! For best results, winter sow cold-weather crops in January and reserve the hot crops for late spring and summer.
Satisfy Cold Stratification Requirements
Native wildflowers often need a chill period during the winter to germinate. This chill period, called “cold stratification,” helps the plants prepare for spring. Without it, you’ll see sporadic germination or none at all. Some common species that need cold stratification include milkweed, lobelia, and blazing star.
Native wildflowers aren’t the only plants that need cold stratification. Common garden crops that need it include asparagus, wild strawberries, and hops. Many herbs, like lavender, oregano, and catnip, also do best with cold exposure. Look to the seed packets to see if your specimens need winter chill.
Some plants need more cold days than others. Lavender, for example, germinates better with three to four weeks of cold temperatures, while milkweed benefits from three to six weeks. Plan accordingly to sow seeds so they receive the proper amount of cold.
There’s No Hardening Off Period
Indoor seed sowing not only uses dozens of expensive materials, but it also demands that you baby your seedlings. Indoor sprouts are sensitive to outdoor cold, wind, and rain. They’ll need two weeks to transition from the indoors to the outdoors, and you’ll have to move them in and out while they adapt.
If you winter sow seeds in January, you won’t have to worry about hardening off the growing seedlings! They’ll sprout as temperatures reach their optimal range and transition easily from the milk jugs into your garden. Wait until the sprouts mature with a few true leaves, then transplant them into raised beds, containers, or the ground.
Keep Critters Away
Another pitfall of outdoor growing is that slugs, snails, and other critters target tender seedlings while they’re young. The pests feed on the growing plants, chopping them down before they have a chance to thrive. When you winter sow, you plant seeds in a protected space where pests, diseases, and harsh weather have a hard time getting in.
The ventilation hole on top may allow for adventurous slugs to creep inside. Here’s an easy way to combat this—place fine mesh on top of the jug and hold it down with a rubber band around the spout. Water and air can travel through the mesh, but pesky critters can’t break through the barrier. Other suitable options include cheesecloth, a thin sheet, or any other permeable material.
Let Nature Work For You
Although there’s more control in indoor seed starting, it’s a lot of work! Why create unnecessary tasks when nature can work for you?
Not only is it less work, but sowing seeds in milk jugs gives you more indoor space for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Use the outdoors for veggies that enjoy cold temperatures, and reserve your seed starting trays for fussy plants that like it hot.
Nature is abundant because it provides free water! Snow melts into water and natural rainstorms dump millions of droplets. It’s a good idea to check on your plants once or twice a week to ensure the soil stays moist, though you most likely won’t have to water. It’s still a good idea to check on the seedlings to ensure they’re in tip-top shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is best to place winter sowing containers?
Tender seedlings need some light, but not too much. Place them outdoors next to a wall or fence where they’ll receive partial shade throughout the day. Dappled sunlight works well too.
What soil should I use for winter sowing?
Any seed starting mix works well. Find a good blend at your local plant nursery, or make your own at home with compost, coco coir, and pumice.
Can you winter sow without jugs?
Yes, you can! Any plastic container works well, so long as it lets light through. Direct sowing during winter is best for plants that need cold stratification.
