I finally had an opportunity to get out to the butterfly meadow yesterday and try this sowing method for the first time.

I took an old shovel handle out there with me and used it to scratch up an area of soil, dropped in some seeds, shoved snow into the trench with my foot and tamped it down. I'm hoping that it'll crust over with the lower overnight temps and protect the seeds from scavengers.

I sowed seed that requires a cold stratification period for best germination.

Wingstem
Sawtooth Sunflower
Early Sunflower

Next, I have some to sow in the shadier woodland areas, but probably won't be able to get those done 'til school resumes.

Can't wait to see if this works! Seems like it should, doesn't it?

My motto is "if nature does it,why shouldnt we"
Good luck.I have never tried thos varieties,just annual poppies.

Thanks, Jo Ann!

Yep, Ma Nature does it that way and I'm hoping for at least one of each plant so that She can continue on from those with no (or little) extra help from me. I like to just pick a few flowers from time to time.

Great thread, Chelle!

Direct winter sowing will be fun to watch! I am sure it will work perfectly!

I have done this with Aquilegia, which needs the cold strat. (this year, too) But we don't have snow.

Cool!

I have those to toss out too. Now that I know what a seedling looks like I'm fairly confident that I won't pull them as weeds!

Do you take any particular measures to protect those that are direct seeded from birds and such?

This is my first white one....wintersown in a container last spring.

That's such a nice one, Chelle!

LOL. I often think I am only feeding the birds!!!

No, but I will lightly cover with soil when I put them in an area with heavy bird activity, like around some shrubs with berries, etc.

I don't mind the critters eating some saved seed, but I have to draw the line with purchased seed!