Go check out the winter sowing forum...you will find all of your answers to these questions there....

Sounds like you are almost winter sowing as it is....

Winter sowing sounds good to me! It looks easy and saves finding space inside for all those containers and flats. I started a flat of Coreopsis, Eupatorium, Helenium, and Veronicastrum this afternoon and put it out on my deck. It's 26F out there now but it looks like it will warm up to the low 50s by the end of the week with lows in the 30s. I guess the fluctuations in temperature actually help with germination(???) I'll do a bit more research over on the winter sowing forum but I wanted to get started right away. I was concerned about having enough "chill time" for the seeds with our weird winter we've been having this year.

I also did the coffee filter in the baggie in the fridge for all four of the above seeds just to test methods (and because I'm a bit of a control freak, and it's fun too!)I decided against the sand because all I had was all purpose builder's sand with lots of different sized particles (up to almost pebbles!) and the seeds would get lost in that mess. Also I don't like to broadcast seed unless they're very tiny (like Veronicastrum, it's almost like dust) - again, the control thing! I'll read up on how long to keep them in there before sowing out in flats. My guess is at least 4 weeks, maybe 8. Our last frost date is April 10 so I don't have much time. I don't mind growing on in pots, I've got a big deck and a sunroom for frost emergencies.

Once I get comfortable with this winter sowing method, if it's successful (course it will be!), I'm gonna go seed crazy next year!

Hi linrose,

Glad to see the experimentation! I've got plenty of that happening at my end too!

The one thing you should keep in mind is that some seeds do indeed need a warm-cold-warm period first. Winter sowing those types of seeds now...leaves out the warm period...where the seed is taking up moisture and starting the whole process. So it is a GOOD idea with your #4 experiment. Some of those seeds need only a 2 week initial warm period...some of the more trickier ones=6 weeks of warm. So winter sowing is not the answer to every seed...it is one of many methods out there that you can use.

Plus, how big do you want your seedlings to be? Wintersown seedlings are well behind those that have been started indoors. On some plants I am willing to have small sizes to put in come springtime, on others I want to have a 4" pot size to put in come spring...those I have to start back in Dec. or Jan. At my plant sale, I can't sell my wintersown seedlings, but I can with my others.

I am glad to see you trying many different methods. You're probably gonna find a mix of them that will work for you.

have fun and good luck
michele

Thanks Michele - very good information on the warm-cold-warm method. Of the above, Jelitto suggests Eupatorium be grown at 64-72F for 2 weeks, then 25-29F for 4-6 weeks, then 41-54F (coldframe?) until planting out. They suggest Coreopsis and Veronicastrum should germinate rapidly at room temp. but if no germination occurs in 3-4 weeks to cool for 2-4 weeks. All the others can be grown warm. I'll try the warm-cool-warm for Eupatorium for sure and since I'm going to try them all at room temp I'll record germination success with Coreopsis and Veronicastrum after 3-4 weeks. If I don't get great germination I'll put them outside (or in my extra garage fridge as space allows)for a couple of weeks as well.

As far as the size of plants and indoor vs. winter sowing I don't really care as long as they can stand on their own to weather the first winter after transplanting. Now that I've got the seed bug though, I might try finding a local swap or plant sale to get rid of my extra seedlings too. Where do I start? I do have a neighbor who is a landscaper who will probably take some off my hands.

I have winter sown all of the above with great success.

I grow all of these commercially, and cold stratify all for 30-45 days in moistened medium vermiculite, with the exception of Veronicastrum, which gives me better, more uniform germination when cold stratified for 90 days.

I look forward to the results. Put me down for $10 on all germinating within the month :)

You might want to keep an eye on the ones in the fridge, some of these might well germinate in there. I'm thinking particularly of the Eupatorium, but maybe some of the others too.

Some results - Helenium began germinating today (7 days - not bad!) in the warm sown flat (65-75F no bottom heat). shrubs n bulbs does that mean you owe me $2.50??? LOL. Still watching and waiting on the rest.
linrose

Update: Eupatorium germination on 2/28 in warm flat, Veronicastrum germination on 3/1 in warm flat. YAY!

I won't be able to predict %germination for a while as the germination period could be over a week or more so I'll keep reporting.