Winter seed sowing is an easy and sustainable way to start a flower, vegetable, or fruit garden by taking advantage of Michigan’s weather with minimal equipment. During these cold winter months, plants naturally shed their seeds, which remain dormant until their germination stage. Winter sowing helps seedlings become stronger and more adaptable to weather changes due to their exposure to low, consistent temperatures (around 34-40°F). Since Oakland County is located in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6a and 6b, gardeners should start sowing seeds in January or February.
Materials
To create the best growing conditions for your seeds, gardeners should build their own mini greenhouses. According to the Michigan State University Extension, gardeners should use:
- Milk jugs or pop bottles that allow sunlight to shine through and can hold at least three to four inches of soil
- Potting soil
- Seeds
- Labels
- Scissors, a sharp blade, and/or a screwdriver or drill
- Heavy-duty, waterproof tape (like duct tape)
- Fade-resistant or industrial marker
- Spray bottle for watering
All plants, including flowers and herbs, can be sown in the winter. Luke Marion from MIgardener suggests a wide variety of beginner-friendly plants to for winter sowing, including strawberries, oregano, rosemary, lavender and milkweed. For more suggestions, check out Marion’s MIgardener article.
How to Winter Sow
Once the materials for the mini greenhouses are collected, gardeners can:
- Remove bottle caps, rinse and dry the containers.
- Cut the container almost in half, leaving part of the jug or bottle attached to create a hinge.
- Puncture the containers’ bottoms to create drainage holes.
- Premoisten the potting soil, then fill the containers with three to four inches of dirt. Leave a half-inch to 1 inch of space from the top of the container.
- Add your seeds. Check seed packets for guidance on how deep to plant each seed. Mist with water.
- Label containers with plant information (inside and outside the container).
- Re-seal the container by reattaching the top to the bottom with tape.
- Place your mini greenhouses together in an outside area with access to sunlight and rain/snow. The east side of a building or under a shrub provides ideal conditions. Exposed areas like rock beds or pavement or south- and west-facing walls are not ideal.
- Check the mini greenhouses occasionally to make sure they remain sealed and haven’t tipped over.
- After the final frost of the winter and the seedlings have sprouted, remove the tape and open the containers for ventilation and to thin out overcrowded seedlings. Beware of birds and other wildlife, as they may try to eat your seedlings.
- When the seedlings have grown a couple of sets of leaves, move them into larger containers or plant in-ground.
Why Garden
Growing a garden at home, whether in large plots or small pots, not only provides residents with a fresh food source but also offers a variety of health benefits. Tending to a garden can boost physical activity, improve mental health, and foster important connections to the environment.
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