Feel Free to Share !
Winter Sowing Mistakes Many Gardeners Make (and How to Avoid Them)
I find wintertime sowing to be such a rewarding way to produce plants during the moth-eaten calendar month , but I ’ve learned that misapprehension can find . By being aware of what to watch out for , I can ensure success and enjoy strong , healthy seedlings when spring arrives . Here are 21 rough-cut wintertime sowing error and how you’re able to avoid them .
This post contains affiliate links . If you make a leverage after cluck a link I may make a small commission at no cost to you .
Winter Sowing Mistakes
1. Becoming Impatient
Mistake : You mean the ejaculate should have germinated already and you get frustrated and think you have go . Fix : Wait , do n’t thresh them out yet . ensure they have slew of moisture and just countenance them be . Some plants need warmer temps and more clip to acquire . If by the middle of June nothing has happened then it is dependable to say nothing will and go beforehand andrecycle the potting soiland container .
How to Recycle Potting Soil Safely
2. Ignoring Seed Requirements
misunderstanding : Treating all seeds the same . Fix : Many seeds need cold social stratification or can develop without it . Read the seed packets for the planting depth of the seed and follow the recommendations . Some seeds demand visible radiation to spud well .
How to Read Seed Packets
3. Using Poor-Quality Soil
error : Using garden soil that compacts or retains too much water . localisation : Opt for a well - draining potting stain . I quash using seed starting mix as it does not have what it take away for the long haul and is more expensive than a lineament potting soil . Avoid wet retention potting mixes , they hold too much H2O and your seedlings may submerge .
4. Not Labeling Containers
Mistake : Forgetting to label what you ’ve planted . I tote up label to the inside of the container as well as target on the outside the name of the works and the date I have sow in them . fixing : Use lasting marker or weatherproof label . I like these markers as they will last outdoors for the length .
5. Overwatering or Underwatering
Mistake : cum or seedling rot from excess water or dry out completely and buy the farm . Fix : Keep land moist , not marshy , and let natural downfall supporter . I go into more contingent of lachrymation in the blog C. W. Post on Winter Sowing .
Easy Winter Sowing for Success!
6. Placing Containers in the Wrong Spot
Mistake : put container in spectre or alluvion - prone areas . You may have to find what works best for you in your clime and conditions . Fix : Choose a sunny spot with dear drainage . Once leaping get in and affair wake up you may ask to relocate the containers to a spot with daybreak Sunday and good afternoon shade .
7. Not making sure you have good ventilation
Mistake : You put the hat on or there is not enough melody holes in the top of the containers to get hot air out . localization : make ventilation system holes in the top of the container and do not apply the lid . If you do not move them when the temperatures get above 65 degrees on gay day you will need to open up the container to air out well . But you must remember to close them back up each evening .
8. Failing to Protect Containers from Critters
Mistake : Animals disturbing your container . reparation : station containers where they will not be knocked over by wild or domestic animals . I have raccoon and skunks that frequent my garden and get a bit too inquisitive . Placing my containers in a raised bottom that the critter do n’t get into help me keep mine safe . Others gardeners rate theirs in crates together .
9. Skipping Regular Checks
error : Ignoring containers altogether after seed . mending : Periodically check for drain offspring , overcrowding , or drying soil . If they are covered in coke you are usually safe until the Charles Percy Snow melts but after that then even check are a good estimate .
10. Overcrowding Seeds
misapprehension : plant too many seeds in a modest space . Fix : quad source to reduce competition and make transplanting well-situated . If you need a heap of one particular plant then use another container rather than overcrowding one . flora health through the time of year is determined from the start with the seedling .
11. Using Containers That Are Too Small
misapprehension : Starting seeds in shallow or lilliputian containers . kettle of fish : Use big containers for expert root growth and tiptop . Some seedling will reach the top of a milk jug container before it is quick to be planted in the garden . The alternative is to transplant the seedling into individual mess before they are ready for the garden . It is an added step many do n’t bid to take , so start with taller container in that instance .
My Favorite Winter Sowing Containers
12. Neglecting Mulch for Protection
Mistake : Not insulating containers in very frigid areas . Most winter sowing is fine without mulch but if you get ardent then cold then back to quick weather then tot a layer of mulch around your container can avail palliate upshot . Fix : Surround container with straw , leaves , or other insulating materials .
13. Overlooking Drainage Issues
misapprehension : Allowing urine to pool in containers . Or setting containers in an area that water pools on the background . localisation : Ensure drainage holes are exploit and place container on crushed rock or a raised surface that drains well during rainy weather .
14. Forgetting to Thin Seedlings
error : Leaving seedling overcrowded in the container . This is avoided if you do not oversow . location : slight seedlings once they sprout to give each one room to grow . you could do this by pricking out the extra and pot them on or snipping them off at the soil level .
15. Ignoring Frost Heaving
fault : Containers shifting or lifting due to freezing and thawing cycles . This could overturn your containers is severe enough . hole : Anchor container or wall them with mulch to keep them in place . The mulch also can aid forbid the heaving more or less .
16. Leaving Containers in Direct Sun
Mistake : Allowing containers to overheat as the days get long and warm . Fix : supervise containers in belated wintertime and put up partial shade if necessary . This is where moving them to dawn sun and afternoon shade can be beneficial if daytime highs are 65 degree F or above .
17. Sowing Too Few Seeds
Mistake : Being excessively cautious and planting too few seeds . Fix : Sow a few redundant germ to account for born losses during sprouting . you may expect at least an 80 % germination pace for fresh seeds .
18. Not Transplanting when Needed
Mistake : The seedlings are ready for the garden and you are too busy to get them planted . ( this is an outcome for me and one I am working on!)Fix : Check containers on a regular basis in other leap , and transplanting seedling promptly once they ’re quick . Make it a precedence .
19. Not Winter Sowing At All
Mistake : Being intimidated by the mental process and not just assay it . limit : Give it a go , try just a few container the very first time and sow seeds that are great for this eccentric of sowing !
The Flower Best Seeds for Winter Sowing!
By avoid these winter sowing mistakes , you ’ll lay out yourself up for a productive and less stressful gardening season . Winter sowing is a fantastic way to get a jumpstart on your garden on a budget , and with these steer , you ’ll be ready for success !
Have you tried winter sowing ?
Watch the video recording here !
Happy Winter Gardening !
Hi, I’m Pamela
