Winter Sowing Annuals
By chelle on January 22, 2014
Did you know that you could sow your annual seeds in winter? I didn't, but now I'm hooked on winter sowing not only perennials and shrubs, but also many of my annuals. The following ideas can help to keep your garden chock-full of blooms all season long, too, and it's so easy to do!
Time to Winter Sow Your Seeds
By valleylynn on January 13, 2012
Have you tried winter sowing vegetable and ornamental plant seeds? If not, give it a try this winter. Many seeds, including tomato seeds and your favorite perennial seeds, do unbelievably well using this method.
Winter Sowing and Freezer Tape
By wildflowers on November 21, 2014
Freezer tape is useful for wintersowing because it will hold up to the elements outdoors.
Sweet Peas (aka Queen of the Annuals)
By Joannabanana on January 22, 2013
Lathyrus odoratus, the annual sweet pea, intrigues gardeners everywhere and the quest for an enchanting display of fragrant walls of colour is one of the most desired displays for many gardeners. Your geographical location will dictate whether sweet peas will be a winter, early spring or late summer and fall bloomer for you. There are a few things to do and consider in preparation for beautiful sweet peas in your garden.
Yes! You Can Start Seeds in a Zone 6a Coldframe in the Middle of Winter
By jewlgurl on February 8, 2022
Late Dec - Early Jan seed sowing. How to make a winter cold frame garden succeed.
Mid-Winter Garden Blues
By Weedwhacker on March 22, 2015
What’s a northern gardener to do??
ATP Podcast #104: The Joy of Winter Sowing
By dave on January 27, 2017
We're covered up with seeds from the recent Garden.org group seed swap, and it's time to go crazy with winter sowing! Come join in our excitement as we talk about this exciting and easy seed starting technique.
Winter Vegetable Gardening for Mild Climates
By dave on January 5, 2014
Most people consider winter the time when the gardens go to sleep and there's nothing to grow, but for those of us who live in fairly mild climates, there's a whole new kind of gardening that can only be done during those cold months.
Summer Squash vs Winter Squash
By Joannabanana on January 17, 2013
The most significant difference between the two groups is that winter squash has a hard shell and stores well for long periods and summer squash has soft skin, which does not store and is perishable. Both are of the genus Cucurbita. Summer squash are all the species pepo and winter squash includes several species: maxima, argyrosperma, moschata and also some pepo. For example, zucchini is a common summer squash and pumpkin is a winter squash.
Winter Sowing Flats
By Eric4home on January 21, 2017
Due to all the other gardening chores of spring, I often find it difficult to find time to transplant winter-sown seedlings, so I came up with an easier way to hold the seedlings till I have time.
Sprouting Grains
By SongofJoy on November 18, 2011
Sprouting seeds for eating is easy, interesting, and extremely nutritious.
Daylilies: Sowing the Seeds and Protecting the Seedlings
By Heart2Heart on June 2, 2013
For me, now is the time to sow daylily seeds. In this idea, I intend to show how I sow the daylilies and protect them until they are planted. Note that here in Germany, we have cold phases in May. All gardeners need to plant according to their weather conditions. Most of the purchased seeds come from the United States through an auction site.
Which Season Is Your Team Favorite?
By Trish on October 16, 2011
Is spring automatically a gardener's favorite season? Let's find out in this week's Which Team article!
Summerizing Your Southern Garden
By dave on May 12, 2014
Up north, they winterize their gardens. Down in the south, we summerize them! Among the many pleasures of gardening in the south are long growing seasons and comfortable winters, but our long and hot summers can be brutal for us and our plants. Here is some advice on dealing with drought and heat in our gardens.
Organized Sowing
By RickCorey on September 23, 2013
Recording when you direct sowed or transplanted out, is the only way to learn what the ideal dates are for each variety in your micro-climate.
Caraway
By CarolineScott on February 21, 2014
Caraway is an easy herb to grow in temperate zone gardens, and it has many culinary and medicinal applications.
Create Your Own Grow-Light Shelving Unit
By beckygardener on January 27, 2015
Need an indoor grow-light shelving unit to sow and grow your plants during the winter months? This is how I made one.
Team Seeds, or Plants?
By Trish on November 6, 2011
What kind of gardener are you: Team Seeds, or Team Plants?
No More Fading Labels in Your Garden
By critterologist on April 27, 2012
For no-fade labels, use an Industrial Sharpie Marker (more UV resistant than a standard Sharpie, which will fade in the sun). An oil based paint pen also works. This is especially important on those winter sowing jugs, so you don't end up with thousands of mystery seedlings!
Seed Starting: Breaking Dormancy
By Joannabanana on January 15, 2013
Breaking dormancy of a seed is like waking it up from a sleep. The four key requirements are water, oxygen, light and temperature. There are a few techniques that will increase the germination percentage and help control timing of germination. Basically, water and oxygen need to penetrate the seed coat to initiate the break of dormancy. Some seeds need a combination of water, oxygen, light and/or set temperature.
