I have Lauren's Grape Poppy, Verbena bonariensis, Verbascum phoenicium and some chinese lanterns popping up. I'm a little nervous the delphinium haven't sprouted yet, seeing your delph's, but there's still time. Just so wanting them to do well : ) I still have some annuals to plant but was waiting for the heat wave to pass so I don't have to tuck them in every night too!

So it has been getting down to about 25 the past couple nights. And the days have only been around 40. My containers were getting too wet so I took clear shower liners and covered the containers. Then at night I have been covering just the sprouted containers with a flannel sheet on top of the plastic. Looks like I will have to keep doing this for at least another week.

I got brave and looked in the sprouted containers today. Whew! Everything looks just fine.

I have my containers in short bins up against the brick on the northwest west side of the house. So I think there is a bit of a geothermal effect helping them too.

I'm new to winter sowing-I have 6 gal milk jugs with different types of milkweed that I planted in January and I'm patiently waiting for something to happen. Thinking ahead to next year, I have a couple of questions:

1. For those of you that plant in flat, clear "Rubbermaid" trays, do you poke drainage holes in both the lid (to let water in)and the bottom (for drainage)? Do the lids need to be clear? Can you have your little pots of seeds on the lid and have the clear bin part as the lid? (did that make sense?)

2. This may be a dumb question. One of my current projects is naturalizing a patch of woods where we go camping with natives (we own it). Can I direct sow the seeds and put a little cover over them to protect them from squirrels and such? It would be like winter sowing in the ground (kind of like what Mother Nature does, but with a little guidance).

Thanks-you all are a wealth of information!

If I am using milk jugs-I place 6 of them in a large translucent plastic box.

When I use the plastic boxes for WS, I do not poke holes in them.
The covers are not a perfect seal so they are vented.
I use vermiculite in the boxes, and just add enough water to moisten it.
There is not need for drainage holes then.

Putting the little pots of seeds onto the lid and using the translucent bottom
is a good idea when the tops don't allow light through. (Wind might be problem?)

Your last idea to WS in the ground is also a good idea which works as long as the sowings are protected from critters etc.

Yes I have holes in the tops of my storage containers. It really is best if the tops are clear.

It's best to put drainage holes in anything you use unless you do the vermiculite method. I don't use that because they have to be transplanted sooner than the others in dirt and I'm not always ready. I agree with Jennifer it is best if the tops are clear.

I direct sow a lot of my seeds but don't cover them. I guess you could use the light row covers.

dmurray407 said:... One of my current projects is naturalizing a patch of woods where we go camping with natives (we own it). Can I direct sow the seeds and put a little cover over them to protect them from squirrels and such? It would be like winter sowing in the ground (kind of like what Mother Nature does, but with a little guidance).

Thanks-you all are a wealth of information!

I think this is a really good idea! Maybe scratch up the ground a bit, scatter the seeds, then cover with a bottomless jug, or something on that order. You'd want to have it ventilated, and also held down in some way so it can't blow away. If you try it, please be sure to let us know how it works for you -- shoot, I think I'm going to have to give that a try myself!

Cheap plastic colanders work to keep critters away , while allowing some light and the rain to get to the seeds.

All of my Agastache have germinated Thanks to @duane456 for quite a few from the trades, I'm set

Here's the Agastache Rugosa (center) ,, Korean Mint , Hummingbirds love it , Only one I seem to be able to keep ,,






Dandelion and chicory in there at the edges

luvsgrtdanes said:All of my Agastache have germinated Thanks to @duane456 for quite a few from the trades, I'm set

luvsgrtdanes---which ones did I send you?

@duane456 This is what you sent me...so happy with them

Arcado Pink
Globetrotter
Summer Love
Heather Queen
pallidiflora
Arizona Sun
Pink Pop
Apache Sunset

Caroline, I really like the idea of cheap, plastic colanders to offer temporary protection from rapacious deer and rabbit. On my next trip to Goodwill I will definitely be on the look out.

luvsgrtdanes said:@duane456 This is what you sent me...so happy with them

Arcado Pink
Globetrotter
Summer Love
Heather Queen
pallidiflora
Arizona Sun
Pink Pop
Apache Sunset

Some of those were 3 or 4 years old. Good to know they germinated for you.

Still having lots of germination despite the cold. Still covering at night with a flanel sheet. Seems to be working. Several weeks to keep doing this.

My jugs have done well here in GA, all of my seeds germinated except for the Columbine. The lupines did extremely well, and will have to be planted out soon.

Lupines




Foxgloves


Stock


Delphiniums

Wow! They look great

Thanks Jennifer!

@cem9165 how do lupines and Delphs do in Georgia? I've never had luck with them here always thought it was too hot.