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Carolina GardeningWinter Sowing
momdino

Winter sowing and 76* temperatures

7 years ago

First time winter sowing. I have about 20 containers with perennial, herbs and cool weather veggies. the temps have been in the 60’s this past week or so and are expected to be in the 70’s Tuesday - Thursday of this week. In FEBRUARY! Two of my containers have began germinating, spinach and a variety of lettuce. Should I just leave them in the milk jugs? Is it likely other seeds will start germinating As well?

Featured Answer
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Hi momdino... I'm in the same situation as you (see my post: [WS Babies *Already*! Newb needs help! What should I do?[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/ws-babies-already-newb-needs-help-what-should-i-do-dsvw-vd~5580842?n=5))

    Mine germinated earlier and I had some 'babies'. Then our weather got much colder (8 F was the lowest) with snow....


    ... and I noted all the perennial babies seemed a little sad but very much alive, while the annuals just didn't make it. Everything I direct sowed died, even perennials, as they'd also germinated. Last weekend I spent a day re-sowing the annuals, and filling more jugs (30 now), plus 3 totes of plastic cups equaling 60 cups. And now our weather forecast is identical to yours! Took the photo below this morning - our grass has turned green again for crying out loud!



    I intend to just leave them alone, and in April if there are any empty jugs or cups, I'll re-plant after all fear of freezing is gone. That's all I know to give as advice - being new to this as well : )

    Comments (8)

    • 7 years ago

      Thank you for your reply. So sorry you had to re-sow so much - what a lot of work! I thought winter sowing was all about easy!

      i did see your post, just forgot -hides face in embarrassment- I suppose I will just watch and wait to see what needs re-sowing in a few weeks.

      Coincidentally we also are renovating our front yard. We tore out 18 way overgrown boxwoods and now have beautiful empty beds just awaitin’ On some plants.

      BTW, love Tennessee- went to grad school in Oak Ridge many moons ago. So green and lush is what I remember most.

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    • 7 years ago

      Ha! For me it's all about 'cheaper' and not having to buy the plants this spring : ) But honestly, it was a pleasant day and I enjoyed being outside.


      Don'tcha love having all that empty bed area?! I've not had this much room to plant in ages (thus all the winter sowing... and to think, I was concerned I'd not sown enough, ha ha!).


      Still green and lush here in the summer, which often equals hot and muggy ; ) Not complaining, I do love Tennessee. Are you in NC? DH and I had wanted to retire their (still lush and green, just a a lot cooler!). We decided to stay put, but always go to NC on vacations. Love it there!

      momdino thanked 2ManyDiversions
    • 7 years ago

      I cover my seedling jugs with a sheet if it gets around 26-28 degrees. I lose far less that way. :)

    • 7 years ago

      Update: just checked my perennial seedlings (yesterday) that germinated during our first warm weather spell and since then we've experienced several nights of well below freezing, in addition to more warm spells and below freezing spells. They still look good. Keeping fingers crossed! I may have to try Carol's method of covering with sheets for below freezing for the annuals. They don't seem nearly as hardy in the fluctuating temps.


    • 7 years ago

      2Many, agree the fluctuations in temps are messing with our winter sowing efforts! I would say about half of my jugs have germinated, but I’m just leaving them alone. I have some row cover to throw over everything should I need to, but right now temps are staying above freezing here in the NC Piedmont. Spring is comin’!

    • 7 years ago

      So glad to hear yours are doing well : ) Here in TN, I've lost some perennial and annual seedlings now due to this crazy weather. We are to have another few days of rain, then sunny and 68 F. In February. Those warm sunny days following so much rain, then the freezing temps after, seem to be the 'death knell' of my winter sowing attempts : ( Some seemed to be hanging in there, but not so much now. All looking a bit sad or dead. Craziest winter!

    • 7 years ago

      So jelly of you guys!!!

      my ws babies... It will be a while before anything happens here, I'm afraid...

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