Winter Sowing
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North American native plants are those plants that existed here on Turtle Island without human intervention and introduction. While some native plants have thriving populations, many more are vanishing at alarming rates. This loss can be due to human activity, loss of habitat, or introduced disease, insects, and invasive plant species. There has been a growing trend of gardeners and landscapers alike to use native plants in lawn and garden plantings. Native plants have a huge benefit that their alien counterparts do not - they are ideally suited for our conditions. And because of that, once native plants are established they require minimal maintenance, fertilizer, pesticides, or additional water. They are winter hardy and less susceptible to pests and disease. Native plants are also a necessary part of a balanced ecosystem which is needed for the survival of song birds, butterflies, and other native fauna. What is Winter Sowing?
Many plants require the natural freezing and thawing cycles to break a seed's dormancy and allow it to germinate. Horticulturists call this stratification. While this stratification can be done by artificial chilling means, there is a technique growing in popularity called winter sowing. Winter sowing is a method of starting seeds outdoors during the winter and is generally done with seeds that require a period of cold stratification. Why Winter Sow?
Summer annuals started from seed, such as tomatoes and peppers, require warm temperatures, light, and lots of your careful attention to be successful. Winter sowing is as low maintenance as it is inexpensive to do. It is largely a "set it and forget it" sort of thing. But one of the biggest attractions for this technique is that it will allow you to greatly stretch your gardening dollars. For example, the price of 100 seeds of the beautiful swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is $2 whereas a single bareroot swamp milkweed plant from the same nursery is $7. With a little effort and some good germination, you can have dozens of plants for far less than the price of one. When to Winter Sow
Winter sowing can be done during most of the winter season. One source gives this rule as to when to stop winter sowing: "Go outside in the evening wearing just a long-sleeve shirt for your top. Do you think that if you were also wearing a sweater and a scarf you would feel much more comfortable? If you need that sweater and scarf then you can keep Winter Sowing. Do you think that with a sweater and scarf on you would be too warm? If you don't need the sweater and scarf then it's time to stop Winter Sowing." [Source: WinterSown.org FAQ] How to Winter Sow1. Collect take-out and other recyclable containers with a lid. Wash with hot soapy water, rinse & dry. 2. Cut drainage slits into the bottom of the container and vents into the lid. 3. Fill the bottom within 1/2" of the top with soil. Any potting medium will do so long as it has not been chemically treated to be "weed-free." 4. With a permanent marker write label on duct tape and affix to the bottom of the container. Do not cover drainage holes.
6. Sow seeds to proper depth. Depth rule of thumb: A seed should be sown at a depth equal to its longest side. There are exceptions but this should work for most seeds. Very tiny seeds should be sprinkled on the soil and patted down. 7. Affix lids and locate your flats outside. 8. Monitor periodically for moisture level. Sufficiently moist flats will show condensation on the inside of the lids. Rule of thumb: your soil should be moist and dark like a brownie and not light and dry like a chocolate cake mix! If the flat dries out too much, carefully soak the flat with cold water. Tape closed some of the drainage holes and/or vents. 9. As the seeds begin to sprout, increasingly widen the vents in the lids to allow more wind, sun, and rain to the seedlings. This will "harden them off." 10. Once hardened, the seedlings may be planted directly into the garden. If you had very good germination, rather than "pricking out" individual seedlings, plant small "hunk-o-seedlings." No thinning required. Mother Nature will ensure only the strongest seedlings will survive.
Plant List/Additional Sources of InformationBelow are some possible native plants to winter sow. See sources for additional winter sowing plant lists, seed sources, and additional how-to information. Enjoy!A Short List of Native Plants to Winter Sow (Zones 5-7)Acer saccharum - Sugar maple Seed SourcesPrairie Moon Nursery Winter Sowing InformationWinterSown.org Native Plant InformationRecommended Native Plants |
By Kimberly Burkard
Mother Nature, in her wise ways, enabled many North American native plants a way to improve their survival, which was by keeping their seeds from waking and germinating too early. 
As mentioned, some seeds will sprout only if they are exposed to winter conditions. Sowing in covered flats that are kept outdoors is easier and more preferable than storing baggies of soil and seeds in your refrigerator.
The winter sowing season begins on the Winter Solstice (December 21). I can't think of a better way to celebrate Yule and the return of the Sun than with winter sowing some living seeds and dreaming of halcyon summer days.
5. Soak soil thoroughly with water and let drain.
All article photos © copyright Kimberly Burkard. Other images © copyright Friends of Ganondagan.
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