Winter Sowing Zone Guides & FAQs
You asked for it in our post, Winter Seed Sowing Anywhere, and I’m here to deliver. I told you all about how I start my seeds in the dead of winter and you all had a lot of questions for me. How do I know what to sow and when to sow? What kind of containers can I use? What about watering? I’ve got the answers to these questions and more. Discover how to winter sow seeds where you live.
How do I know if my seeds are good candidates for winter sowing?
Look for these key terms on your seed packets.
- Hardy seeds
- Seedlings can withstand frost
- Sow outdoors in late autumn or early winter
- Sow outdoors in early spring when nights are still cool
- Needs pre-chilling
- Requires stratification (cold, moist conditions)
All of these key terms indicate that a seed is a good candidate for winter sowing. Of course, your climate and gardening zone will play an important part in the success of winter sowing.
How deep do I sow my seeds?
The general rule of thumb is to plant twice the depth of the seed’s smallest dimension at the spacing indicated by your seed packet. I’ll be honest, with tiny seeds, I don’t worry too much about proper spacing or depth. I sprinkle them in and cover with a light layer of soil. When they begin germinating and sprouting in the spring, I thin as needed.
What do I use if I don’t have enough milk cartons?
There are a lot of great upcycle container ideas out there. Basically, any container that allows light inside will do. Here is a small list to get you started:
- Soda Bottles
- Bakery Containers
- Clear Storage Totes
- Deli Chicken Containers
- Travel Tin Foil Containers
- Meat & Cheese Platters (for shallow-rooted seedlings)
- Juice Cartons with the tops cut off and a baggie over the top (more suitable for southern locations)
Just be sure if you are using a container that doesn’t have a lid or cap that you drill in a few ventilation/moisture holes along the top.
What if I don’t have snow?
Winter is just a cooler season, not necessarily bitter cold and snow. Winter Sowing is merely getting a head start for your growing season, allowing nature to take care of everything. It’s like greenhouse gardening on a small-scale.
When is the earliest I can start Winter Sowing?
The Winter Solstice seems to be a good starting point. The days are at their shortest and typically the temperatures are at their coldest. The concern with starting too early is that the seeds will begin to sprout while the temperatures are too low to support the plant. By planting in the “dead of winter”, you can be fairly confident that the seeds won’t start until spring is beginning.
What do I do come spring?
You treat your winter sown seedlings just like you would any other seedling. You’ll want to remove the lid during the daytime to harden them off and transplant them when the soil is warm enough.
What about watering?
Mother Nature does a pretty good job at keeping your winter sown containers at the right moisture level during the dormant period. By keeping the cover off your container or cutting ventilation holes, rain and snow will enter the top and excess water will drain through the drainage holes. If you notice your soil is looking dry and crumbly, just dribble water along the edges of the soil. It won’t take much water and you want to do it slowly so you don’t dislodge the seeds. Be sure to use cold water so you don’t shock your seeds.
Once spring arrives, keep an eye on your sprouting seeds. Again, the containers should create a mini-ecosystem. If you notice your containers seem soggy, try moving them to a sunnier location. If they seem to be drying out frequently, move them to an area that gets sunlight, but not direct sunlight. If they need to be watered manually, use water the same temperature as the outdoor temperature and gently water around the edges.
The following guides are just that, GUIDES. Trial and error is the best way to figure out when to grow what in your zone. Click these links below to find out what zone you’re gardening in.
US Garden Zones | CAN Garden Zones | EUR Garden Zones | Other Zones
Zone 3 Growing Guide
February
Perennial flowers and hardy annuals.
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March
Most herbs and plants that require stratification.
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April
Frost-tolerant vegetables.
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May
Tender plants.
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Zone 4 Growing Guide
January
Perennial flowers and hardy annuals.
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February
Most herbs and plants that require stratification.
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March
Frost-tolerant vegetables.
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April
Tender plants.
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Zone 5 Growing Guide
December/January
Perennial flowers and hardy annuals.
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January/February
Most herbs and plants that require stratification.
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February/March
Frost-tolerant vegetables.
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March/April
Tender plants.
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Zone 6 Growing Guide
December
Perennial flowers and hardy annuals.
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January
Most herbs and plants that require stratification.
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February
Frost-tolerant vegetables.
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March
Tender plants.
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Zone 7 Growing Guide
December
Perennial flowers, hardy annuals, and plants that require stratification.
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January
Most herbs and frost-tolerant vegetables.
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February
Tender plants.
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