This was my 4th year winter-sowing and I've sowed 158, 112, and 84 in previous years, so this year is similar to previous years.

Just wondering how many containers you sowed this year? And how does that compare to previous years?

I'm noticing some of the phlox seeds I got in trades are moldy while others have sprouted so I doubt those will sprout no matter how long I leave them in the jugs. My best guess is they weren't ripe when harvested. Any other ideas/possibilities for the cause of them rotting?

Some surprises:
Russian sage has sprouted and I was a complete novice harvesting seeds this year. There are beds thick with them where I work so I harvested the fluff and spent hours painstakingly separating the seeds from it.
Spirea - I harvested seeds from the neighbor's shrub and they've sprouted. Sure hope those grow into nice plants--he's not doing too well so I'd like to plant some for him.
Apple & pear tree seeds from another neighbor--got 100% germination on both. He gave me just 4 apple seeds and 10 pear seeds so I'm giving him 4 apple tree seedlings and 10 pear tree seedlings.
Lavender --now we'll see if I can grow it!
Potentilla/cinquefoil from traded seeds (see Lavender)

Next year, depending on how everything does this year, I'll probably only do a very few. Annuals and such.

Many thanks to all that helped enable me and were willing to respond to my questions. This forum is THE BEST!

Dorothy (Meadows)

Brad AKA Moonwolf

I'm very glad I decided to do tomatos, eggplant, and pepper under lights because none of my winter sown have germinated.

I'm happy to only have 50 containers to plant out, but I did have to winnow down the list. I can always think of a ton of seed to sow. I do try to pace myself though.

Gardenweed, the year I did close to 200 was still too much for me. I always have a landscaping project going on, spring and fall, so that is where my focus is and I don't multi-task well. (g) I haven't tried tree seeds yet, but that must be fun. I just realized when you said you get so many containers, that I have not had access to a lot of containers and we don't use very many, so that has probably slowed down my winter sowing too. Just as well.

Dorothy, that is amazing, 1,000 containers your first year winter sowing! Really, I am impressed! That must be some kind of record, lol. I hope you are going to post a lot of photos of your gardening season, it sounds like it will be a busy one.

Karen

Honestly, I think 100 containers is a lot to plant out, but I'm glad there are lots of WS seedlings and reseeders out there, because I lost a LOT of plants to voles this winter. First time ever! They were having a field day under all the snow. Yikes - the upside is it gives me lots of spots to fill in with seedlings.

The only thing is I'm located in Serbia, so it might be tricky - I'll have to see if I can get some stamps. I'll let you know if these ones don't end up sprouting.

This is my first year WSing and I was like most...a bit skeptical. The stories of success and beautiful photos kept me moving forward. 102 containers total (nearly all have germination).

I enabled a neighbor, shared seeds and felt my heart warming when I saw her little family filling butter tubs and milk cartons with dirt and seeds :) This is their first year gardening. I hope it will be a great one.

I also started some things under lights indoors:
-over 100 super hot peppers
-59 tomatoes (30 different varieties) (60 seeds = 59 plants, cant get much better than that)
-cabbage
-cauliflower
-brussel sprouts
-cucumber

I WSd one tomato. Its tiny but DID germinate ;) Maybe next year I'll be a bit more adventurous and do less under lights and more WSing :)

A ~huge~ thank you to all that traded, BEAPed, encouraged and shared their stories and pictures !!