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Wintersowing in situ
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Posted by token28001 zone7 NC (My Page) on Fri, Aug 21, 09 at 7:53
| Or, wintersowing in place. Has anyone tried this? Scatter the seeds on the ground where you want the plants, they use a cloche to cover them? I figure that in my zone, I can sow seeds directly on the ground and protect them. They'll still germinate with protection and I won't have to plant them out later. I'm thinking of using this method for plants that resent being transplanted, datura, poppies, larkspur...
It should work, right? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Wintersowing in situ
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I like the idea. Makes sense to me but what are you thinking of covering them with that wont get blown away during the winter?
Maybe shove the top half of jugs into the ground? |
RE: Wintersowing in situ
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| That's the idea. Dig out the native soil, fill the hole with good potting mix, then cover with the top half of a two-liter bottle, pushing it deep into the soil. I can even use some stiff wire if needed to hold it in place, pushing that down into the soil too. Then, sprinkle the seeds through the open top using a funnel. It would mean less seed waste, and hopefully germination would be just a little slower than in containers. |
RE: Wintersowing in situ
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Yes, token. I have done that for several years.
I WS only Petunia and some other plants that I covet.
Trudi has details on that on her website. I like to WS in situ because my garden is so stuffed with plants, it is difficult to insert new seedlings.
I just spread some soil over the exsiting planting area, sow seeds.
Mist it, then cover the area with sheet plastic with holes for ventilation.
I use bricks, rocks, or some clear pots or large bottles to use as tent poles so that the plastic sheet does not touch the ground. Easay as pie.
A cloche is nice too.
Check out Trudi's website. There are several suggestions given. Have fun. BTW, I scatter all kinds of extra seeds, including Larkspur seeds as they ripen.
And let them germinate at will.
That is why my garden does not look the same twice, although the main structure is there. Larkspur is very easy to direct sow.
I also have Datura volunteers this year.
The seeds must have dropped. Poopies are hit or miss direct sowing, so I do the WS in situ instead. Have fun. |
RE: Wintersowing in situ2
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| Thanks pitimpinai. I knew someone here would have the info. Never occurred to me to check out the wintersown site for this information. |
RE: Wintersowing in situ
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- Posted by ajpa z6 se PA (My Page) on
Fri, Aug 21, 09 at 9:35
| I was just thinking of the same thing recently (put seed in ground, cover with bottomless water bottle). Where on wintersown is it -- can't seem to find it? |
RE: Wintersowing in situ
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| Can someone tell me what "situ" stands for? I can't figure it out. Thanks....Can you tell I'm new? |
RE: Wintersowing in situ
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- Posted by pvick z6B NYC (My Page) on
Fri, Aug 21, 09 at 9:59
| "In situ" means "in place" - token explains in the first sentence of his original post. (Welcome, luv_n_life!) |
RE: Wintersowing in situ
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| Absolutely - that's how I do my california poppies - I put some seeds down - about six or seven in a small circle - and I cover them with a plastic container (encircling the seeds) and put a rock or whatever to make sure plastic container doesn't fly away. It works fantastic - when the greenery starts to get large - I remove the cover. Token - you know, as well as I do, that here in NC any california poppy greenery that is showing can last throughout our cold winters - and by early, early spring you will be the first to have poppies blooming. Reason I do this? #1 - I don't like transplanting poppies;
#2 I like the poppy foliage throughout the winter #3 since poppies bloom so early and when finished look ratty, I remove them (not collecting any seeds (sorry..) and use that space for zinnias or "whatever" Try it, you'll like it! Carrie :0) |
RE: Picture of Poppies 'sown on ground with container over'
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| Poppies bloomed very, very early last spring - before anything else and then were removed to make space for wintersown seedlings (zinnias, daisies, etc.) 
Carrie |
RE: Wintersowing in situ
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RE: Wintersowing in situ
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Sounds like a good plan. I would like to try that.
Only one problem.
My husband is not going to let me stick plastic containers all over the yard.
His OCD would kick-in so bad. LOL |
RE: Wintersowing in situ
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| Oh Gosh, Duh! Thanks pvick. |
RE: Wintersowing in situ
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| I used the square tops that came with a salad bar at the grocery store - you could hardly see them from a distance because they were flat - when the seeds germinated, I removed the tops - so they are only on for a short time (if you time it right ;0) Carrie |
RE: Wintersowing in situ
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That's is a beautiful bed, carrie.
And thanks for the tip on salad container tops. I hadn't thought of that.
That's better than what I was doing.
I was using tops from Boston market food containers to support a plastic sheet. Welcome to the WS forum, luv n life.
Stick with us.
You'll a great time.
:-D |
RE: Wintersowing in situ
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RE: Wintersowing in situ
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- Posted by karendee 5Wst. of Chicago,IL (My Page) on
Sun, Aug 23, 09 at 11:09
| If anyone wants some larkspur seeds to try this let me know... I am collecting tons of them. I have 2 baggies full so far. The pink I have less of because only one pink plant made it. the rest are blues, purples and white. I think this is something I know I will do this year.I will have to save some conainers. I also have some alyssum seeds I bought that I might do this with. It seems easier for some seeds since transplanting the seedlings might be difficult. Karen |
RE: Wintersowing in situ
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| If it works for Carrie, it will work for me. Thanks for the pictures. I love the CA poppies. I might have to try them with my red peony poppies this year. I've got tons of blue larkspur from a Texas gardener too. And nigella. And....I forget. :) |
RE: Wintersowing in situ
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| Alright, now I am rethinking how to sow my poppies. I haven't had any troubles with transplanting them - yet if I can get earlier blooms then it is most definitely worth a try. Hey Karen, I may take you up on your offer of larkspur seeds. I will email you when I have more seeds to offer for trade. -StLGirl |
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