According to Trudi Davidoff, wintersowing season begins on the winter solstice, Dec. 21. Days are shortest then, and will begin to lengthen. Like Jacquie, I never start until January, when the holidays are over, the junk put away, and life gets boring.
" There might be too much snow/ice to safely get to my backyard." You can do all your prep work (like cutting jugs, planting, taping) in the warmth of the house, but you do have to get them outside when you finish. It's not always easy here, either, but we can always get out of some door or other.
Karen