I live in central Arkansas and winter sow. It got down to 24 degrees last night. Was checking my ws pots this morning and discovered the first green seedlings I've seen this year in the Frostweed jug. Can Spring be far behind?
Myles
.... gardening primarily for the butterflies and pollinators
We are finally getting back into the 30's and 40's ,, Somethings we get to winter sow until Spring ,,
March 20th , is the first day of Spring ,, Thinking of Wintersowing , makes it approach a little faster ,
Really not done either
In the Butterfly garden if a plant is not chewed up I feel like a failure
CarolineScott said:Yes, we are still wintersowing in the north!
What was the first sprout?
The first jug with sprouts contains 'Frostweed' - (Verbesina virginica) - aka White Crownbeard. It is a native plant found in much of the eastern half of the USA. I am growing it for it's late summer, fall blooms to provide nectar for the butterflies. It reportedly will grow and bloom in dappled shade and that is mostly all I have left so giving it a try this year.
http://www.seedsource.com/cata...
"The first frost is when Frostweed performs a unique trick that is truly a marvel of nature. During the first frost the stem splits and as the sap oozes out of the winged stem it freezes and as it is freezing it curls into fascinating ribbons forming mini ice sculptures. The plant was named Frostweed because of this unique characteristic."
Myles
.... gardening primarily for the butterflies and pollinators
Everyone who hasn't yet gotten their winter sowing done, consider doing so. I have a second seedling sighting, Polk Milkweed!
Our daytime temps are expected to be in the 70's this week, with cooler days to follow. The Frostweed continues to germinate and the little seedlings look strong and green. Need to get outside and get some more beds prepared. If I didn't enjoy this so much, it would be work!
Myles
.... gardening primarily for the butterflies and pollinators
You talked me into it. I will put do some jugs tomorrow. We are suppose to be 60 tomorrow but it is going back into the 30s and 40s daytime and 20s night time.
Same as Above , I put some sweet peas out there today I have a few mustards with seeds that have roots sprouted in the Jugs
A few others also . 5a - 6b zone edge here ,,
Have had 7 type winters and 4 -5 type winters ,, guess this , guess that ,,
In the Butterfly garden if a plant is not chewed up I feel like a failure
Erysimum allioni (This is the yellow one, not the orange one which I direct sow.)
Arabis caucasia
Sweet William a white one ( usually I direct sow Sweet William)
I am going to sow two more jugs tomorrow. That is all for outside until April.
I tried vermiculite sowing inside for the first time. Uh Oh! It is working. Working too well!! I'll have to pot us seedling and hold them inside for quite a while! I am not set up for that!
Name: Sandy B. Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b) (Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
LOL, Jennifer -- what did you start in the vermiculite? I haven't done it yet, but I want to start some rosemary that way again this year, it worked well for me last year.
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer C/F temp conversion