Well, I'm fairly new here also but I'll try to answer what I can. The others can correct me if I'm wrong.

Planting? Most people WS (winter sow) their perennials now during the winter months because they need the cold weather and shorter days to germinate. Some plant all of the seeds in a pack at once while others plant half and keep half in case the first doesn't germinate for some reason or they want to extend blooming times (mostly for annuals) by planting at different times. Tender plants or annual are sowed later in the spring.

Repotting? The only difficulty I've heard about is you usually have more plants than you know what to do with! LOL! I think most people plant them when they have 2 or 3 real leaves. A lot of people plant HOS (hunk of seedlings). They may break their milkjug into quarters and plant those 4 hunks out as one plant.

Location of containers? That appears to be a personal opinion. Right now mine are out in the middle of the backyard. When it warms up this spring I may move them to a partially shady area to aid in retaining moisture.

DH & SIL? Dear husband, and sister-in law.

The FAQ at the top of this page is very helpful in understanding winter sowing. Check it out.

Happy winter sowing!
Becky

A fourth of a milk-jug is way to large for HOS, I think. I do mostly hunks about an inch or so for transplant.

I also get my seedlings into the ground ASAP, when they barely have their true leaves.

Plants which are not going to grow as rapidly as perennials and annuals go into a holding bed. Holding beds are good for seedlings of bushes and trees. Once those are larger I transplant into their permanent places in the garden.

Thanks for the correction Trudy. I am still in doubt that I will have that many seedlings in a container!

Oh, just you wait! It is crazy when you sprinkle 50 small seeds on top and come spring, it looks like you have 100 seedlings! Some jugs I had I was so grateful that only a few germinated such as hollyhocks and others, because most of my jugs were bursting full of seedlings! In a few months from now you can look back on this post and think, I can't believe I doubted this method!

Each person uses her/his own judgment on how many seeds to plant in each container. After three years of way to many seedlings I sowed more sparsely last winter. Five of a perennial plant is more than enough for me so I sowed 8-9 seeds. With annuals that I wanted lots of I sowed thickly then planted in HOS. I reach into the container and pull out a pinch to make a hunk.

Germination is not always a sure thing but I find it to be quite successful. Saving unused seeds for a later sowing or another year is preferable to me than having to find homes for way too many seedlings.

That said, I still have lots of extra seedlings which I share with friends, family, neighbors, people walking by on a spring evening, garage sale shoppers, plant exchanges and some even make their way to the compost pile.

Last year I potted up many of the seedlings as did not have my beds ready. Potting and repotting is way too much work. My #1 bit of advice, get those beds ready as soon as possible so you can plant right in the beds, for most plants no potting needed. Exceptions are huechera, bulbs, & other tiny seedlings that need to grow on before being planted.

Most of my containers are placed on my back patio which is sheltered with three walls. Some go to the veg garden which is out in the open. No branches available to fall on anything. Last year I did have a deer tromp through my garden during the night stepping on a couple of containers. Plants survived but containers were broken.

The great thing about wintersowing is that we take an idea and suggestions and do what works for each of us individually. If one thing doesn't work try another. Keep it fun!

thank you for all of your answers, i feel like i understand it alot better now, i'm a little scared of swimming in seedlings but i just don't have enough space inside to start everything i want to start

You will likely find room outside, of course normal spacing distances goes right out the window with WS. Think of a natural field or meadow, Mother Nature doesn't space plants six inches apart--they're all crammed in there and the result is a cacophony of plants creating a habitat. You'll see more butterflies and birds in your garden than you've ever seen before.

Well I'm just another newby and kinda excited about this whole process, but I was thinking, could there be such a thing as SOS (Spoon of Seedlings)? When I have volunteer plants that have come up in my raised beds I have successfully transplanted them by using an old tablespoon. It's pointed enough to go smoothly into the soil, but is bowl-shaped so it supports the ball of dirt around the plant (unlike a small shovel). I just carefully slip the spoon a little further down into the soil than I think the root is going. Then I dig a shallow hole and slide the contents of the spoon into it.

Why not! I just use my fingers to gouge out a clump, but they're a tool like any other.

T

Since the seedlings are so tiny when I plant them out into beds, I often use a spoon as my planting tool. Works well. I have several spoons and knives which are designated garden tools.

Karen