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Winter Sowing
seedmama

Let's Start the Official 2008/9 WS Container Count Part 1

seedmama
15 years ago

As many of you know we do a container count every year. This is just a fun thing and is only supported by the members of this forum.

The data below is from the past 6 years.

02-03 total 21000+

03-04 total 47075

04-05 total 75093

05-06 total 51248

06-07 total 34407

07-08 total 30131

There have been many discussions as to what constitutes a " container " and how to fairly count them.

Because of the wide variety of methods used by WSers a specific definition is nearly impossible.

Some only sow a few seeds in smaller containers and then cover multiple containers or place them in a cold frame. Many sow a lot of seeds in 1 container like a milk jug.

I will not try to define a " container ". You use your own judgement. I will offer a couple of suggestions.

#1... If you use toilet paper rolls, newspaper pots , plant bands , paper cups, peat pots, etc and pack these together under one cover, then perhaps the best way to count these is to count the number of different seeds sown.

Example : 10 different kinds of seeds sown under 1 cover could be counted as 10 containers.

#2... 50 seeds sown in a milk jug or other larger container should count as 1 container.

Posting container count:

You may post your container count as many times as necessary. I will keep a running count.

Please post only NEW containers and not a running total . I will not know your previous count.

Example: If your 1st post is 30 containers and you later sow another 30 containers your 2nd post should reflect only the additional 30 containers.

You can post your total as long as you indicate the number of new containers.

Example: "Zone 5 : Add 30 more containers for me. My total is now 60. "

Remember to add your zone to each post so we can see totals by zone.

Zones will be only the number not the letter so zone 6a and 6b will both be under zone 6. If you don't know your zone use this link :

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

I will update the totals on a regular basis and start a new post as needed.

!!!!!!! PLEASE DO NOT START A NEW POST. !!!!!!! I need to receive the emails to make my job easier.

The count began on the solstice and will end the morning of May 1st at 8 am.

So....sow, sow, sow!

Comments (150)

  • velsgarden
    15 years ago

    This was my first time to wintersow.Boy Im hooked already and I havent even gotten any flowers yet!!How will I be when I see the results!

    50 for zone 7

  • leecb
    15 years ago

    25 containers - zone 5
    :)

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  • sunny631
    15 years ago

    Z5 & Z6 are kickin' our arese!!


    C;mon 777

  • kimka
    15 years ago

    Add 34 for Zone 7

    KimKa

  • disneynut1977 ~ Melissa
    15 years ago

    11 gallon jugs zone 5

  • lillyjane
    15 years ago

    Add 45 for zone 6
    jan ")

  • appaloosa909
    15 years ago

    Add 38 for Zone 6 please :)

    Andrea

  • flowergardenlady
    15 years ago

    Add 33 for Zone 6 please :)

  • seedmama
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    I love numbers. So I was very excited when, after posting the above counts, I noticed we have exactly 3600 containers, even, with exactly 60 sowers contributing for an average of 60 containers each. Cool!

  • austinnhanasmom
    15 years ago

    AHHHH - going to the recycle center today for more containers... SO addicting.

  • jim49631
    15 years ago

    Add 25 to zone 5
    Jim

  • proudgm_03
    15 years ago

    add 13 to zone 6

  • sandlapper_rose
    15 years ago

    5 more containers for Zone 8.

  • nancy_drew
    15 years ago

    I WANT MY SEED ORDER! We are getting slaughtered!

    Come on Zone 5! Six is killin' us! Lets get it together and kick some bootie!

    (nancy runs to the mailbox...)

  • peaches20
    15 years ago

    Please add another 27 for zone 6. Ran out of jugs with a few more to plant :(

    Peaches

  • token28001
    15 years ago

    12 more for zone 7. Poppies, maltese cross, and german catchfly. Also some swamp hibiscus I overlooked.

    Get it together people. Don't make me start sowing in tiny plastic cups. I've still got another 40 2-liters.

  • seedmama
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Good evening,
    We're counting early tonight.

    Zone 0 ÂÂ 0 ÂÂ 0.00%
    Zone 1 ÂÂ 0 ÂÂ 0.00%
    Zone 2 ÂÂ 0 ÂÂ 0.00%
    Zone 3 ÂÂ 0 ÂÂ 0.00%
    Zone 4 ÂÂ 149 ÂÂ 4.05%
    Zone 5 ÂÂ 1016 ÂÂ 27.59%
    Zone 6 ÂÂ 1832 ÂÂ 49.76%
    Zone 7 ÂÂ 613 ÂÂ 16.65%
    Zone 8 ÂÂ 65 ÂÂ 1.77%
    Zone 9 ÂÂ 7 ÂÂ 0.19%

    Container Grand Total ÂÂ 3682 ÂÂ

    Number of Winter Sowers contributing ÂÂ ÂÂ 61
    Average number of containers per sower ÂÂ ÂÂ 60

  • yellowflowerpot
    15 years ago

    Add another 44 here for zone 5.

  • nikkineel
    15 years ago

    Ok - I haven't posted yet because I still can't believe my zone changed to 8. I always considered myself low 7.
    Sooo. add 80 containers for zone 8! Nikki

  • token28001
    15 years ago

    NO! USDA hasn't officially changed any zones. You're still a 7.

  • moon458
    15 years ago

    32 for z6

  • nikkineel
    15 years ago

    OK!!! Thanks Token! Change my previous 80 container addition from zone 8 to zone 7. Sorry for the mistype. Nik

  • dem_pa
    15 years ago

    20 more for Zone 5.

    Don (dem_pa)

  • Lin barkingdogwoods
    15 years ago

    3 for zone 8 (just started and having fun!)

    Lin

  • heyitzbenny
    15 years ago

    another 4 for zone 6

    its so cold i dont feel like running outside a million times with my containers!

  • barbe_wa
    15 years ago

    At last! I'm finally getting started. Please add 9 milk jugs for Zone 8. Thanks

  • floodthelast
    15 years ago

    Three today for zone five.

  • traceym
    15 years ago

    6 today do mine count,not noticed any other brits in here.

  • lblack61
    15 years ago

    Thank you for taking up the baton, Seedmama :-)

    I have 52 containers for Zone 5

    Linda

  • seedmama
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Yes, traceym yours count, but not until you provide us with a zone number. Please include a permanent listing for it on your member page. Next please type it each and every time you post. Each time you post, the words you have typed come to my inbox. When you include your zone in your post it emails that info to me. With an expectation of 1400 emails, that will be a tremendous time saver for me. (As opposed to looking up your member page.)

    It's great to have you here and hope that you will sow lots and lots of containers. (Especially if you live in Zone 7, like me. Wink, wink)

    Here's a link to help you determine your zone.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Plant Hardiness Zone Map of the British Isles

  • barbe_wa
    15 years ago

    Please add 8 milk jugs for Zone 8. thanks

  • lgslgs
    15 years ago

    224 more for zone 6. :)

    Lynda

  • seedmama
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Good evening, We are approaching 150 on this thread. I just wanted to remind everyone to PLEASE NOT START ANOTHER THREAD. My job will become much more difficult if the emails don't come to my inbox.

    Tonight's container count is

    Zone 0 ÂÂ 0 ÂÂ 0.00%
    Zone 1 ÂÂ 0 ÂÂ 0.00%
    Zone 2 ÂÂ 0 ÂÂ 0.00%
    Zone 3 ÂÂ 0 ÂÂ 0.00%
    Zone 4 ÂÂ 149 ÂÂ 3.58%
    Zone 5 ÂÂ 1135 ÂÂ 27.28%
    Zone 6 ÂÂ 2092 ÂÂ 50.28%
    Zone 7 ÂÂ 693 ÂÂ 16.65%
    Zone 8 ÂÂ 85 ÂÂ 2.04%
    Zone 9 ÂÂ 7 ÂÂ 0.17%

    Container Grand Total ÂÂ 4161 ÂÂ

    Number of Winter Sowers contributing ÂÂ ÂÂ 67
    Average number of containers per sower ÂÂ ÂÂ 62
    And just to mix it up a little, for a little fun, I did a pro forma sheet. LGSLGS has single handedly contributed 1264 containers for zone six. What if those numbers weren't there? How would the numbers look?

    Zone 0 ÂÂ 0 ÂÂ 0.00%
    Zone 1 ÂÂ 0 ÂÂ 0.00%
    Zone 2 ÂÂ 0 ÂÂ 0.00%
    Zone 3 ÂÂ 0 ÂÂ 0.00%
    Zone 4 ÂÂ 149 ÂÂ 5.14%
    Zone 5 ÂÂ 1135 ÂÂ 39.18%
    Zone 6 ÂÂ 828 ÂÂ 28.58%
    Zone 7 ÂÂ 693 ÂÂ 23.92%
    Zone 8 ÂÂ 85 ÂÂ 2.93%
    Zone 9 ÂÂ 7 ÂÂ 0.24%

    I'd say Zone 6 is lucky to have Lynda on their team!
    Container Grand Total ÂÂ 2897 ÂÂ

    Number of Winter Sowers contributing ÂÂ ÂÂ 66
    Average number of containers per sower ÂÂ ÂÂ 44

  • floodthelast
    15 years ago

    Just one for zone five today. :)

  • dancinginthegarden
    15 years ago

    I've decided to change my hardiness zone back to zone 5b. The USDA Hardiness Zone map has me as Zone 5 and the Arbor Day map lists me as zone 6. I now understand that I should accept the USDA map as the official one. So, please change my posting on Sunday, January 11 of 36 containers to zone 5. Thanks.

    Nancy
    Dancing in the Garden

  • traceym
    15 years ago

    Thanks for the ink Seedmama,seems i am zone 8a,which surprises me,it was like the arctic here last week.
    Will get some more sowing done today.

  • appaloosa909
    15 years ago

    1264 Holy Crap LGSLGS!!!

  • lgslgs
    15 years ago

    Appaloosa909 wrote: "1264 Holy Crap LGSLGS!!!"

    Yep - that's a good way to put it. I kept telling folks that this year is my big garden expansion year! We garden on a big scale here at my house. :)

    I don't expect to do this every year. Once the entire front yard and adjoining areas are in bloom I'll spend more time saving seed and direct sowing it on the rest of our 15 acres. I will NOT be doing the 15 acres with container sown plants. Winter sowing is easy, not not that easy!

    Lynda

  • seedmama
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Traceym, you are now in the count. Happy to have you here, and I'm sure the tiny headcount of other Zone 8 WSers are REALLY happy to see you. Welcome aboard.

  • diggerdee zone 6 CT
    15 years ago

    Well, I couldn't take it any longer! I usually wait till the end of January, but today I caved, lol.

    6 containers for zone 6!

    Lynda - 15 acres! I'm green with envy!

    Thanks, seedmama!
    :)
    Dee

  • bashful_gardener
    15 years ago

    5 more for zone 5!
    Sandra

  • ptp813
    15 years ago

    Yeah! 36 for zone 7 at least that is my zone on
    Garden Webs info.

    I'm so glad I saved many of my jugs from last year. I can sow much faster without having to cut and make holes. Yeah!

  • docmom_gw
    15 years ago

    64 for zone 5!

    Martha (docmom)

  • highalttransplant
    15 years ago

    I FINALLY got started today!!! I have been trying all week, but life kept getting in the way.

    Anyway, please add 12 for zone 5.

    Thanks,
    Bonnie

  • greylady_gardener
    15 years ago

    I have 13 containers out in my very cold zone 5

  • proudgm_03
    15 years ago

    13 more for zone 6

  • token28001
    15 years ago

    6 more for zone 7.

    I got bored tonight. Decided to give that cherry brandy a little shock to the system to see if they can take it.

  • velsgarden
    15 years ago

    28 more for zone 7

  • dem_pa
    15 years ago

    6 more for Zone 5. Thanks.

    Don (dem_pa)

  • kqcrna
    15 years ago

    Holy Crap Lynda is right. What constitutes a container? 4 inch pots? Isn't that what you were going to use?

    Karen

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