Winter-sowing in April
These winter-sown chard revealed their tie-dye roots when it was time to transplant into a mixed container garden. To transplant these, I teased the roots apart to separate each plant from the block. They were planted 6 inches apart.
Handling winter-sown containers in April & May
If you have some winter-sown containers already planted, how are they coming along? Winter-Sowing is the method of using empty milk jugs and lettuce boxes leftover from our groceries to plant seeds outdoors. Maybe you planted some native perennials using this method, or even long-season cold crops. What should you do with them now?
transplant cold-crops
Any cold crop veggies that have grown a few leaves in winter-sown milk jugs/lettuce boxes can be transplanted in your regular garden space or container gardens. Spring temperatures now are likely to be ok for collards, broccoli, cabbage and their related cold crop veggies. Your cold crop veggies will grow faster in your garden than crammed into a small container; Don’t delay transplanting if you can.
keep winter-sown containers watered
On the other hand, your native flower and other perennials may not be showing yet in your winter-sown containers. Be patient, it is still early to see these plants emerge. Keep them hydrated when they dry out, which can happen if rain is scarce and temps are warm. The easiest way to water closed winter-sown containers is to place them in a larger bin that is holding a few inches of water. Let the water soak from the bottom to moisten all of the soil.
be alert for for warm spring days
Our Minnesota spring weather can really range in temperatures. For winter-sown containers, those warmest of days can be hard on newly emerged seedlings which do not have extensive root systems. If temperatures jump to 70 degrees or greater in April and May, check on your containers. Enclosed winter-sown containers act like a mini-greenhouses and temperatures inside will get much hotter than the outdoor temp. On hot days, you may need to be open up these closed containers for ventilation. Keep the lids handy in case temperatures get too cold again. Another option would be to move the containers into the shade on those days so they do not overheat.
Springtime with garden plants can be a little bit like a roller coaster of tasks to protect plants. Get tuned in to the weather forecast to get the most out of your winter-sowing. Earlier in April, the temperatures got below 20°F and my recently germinated beets, and mizuna mustard froze. I have replanted both directly in the ground. At some point in late April or early May, the temperatures will be consistently warm and you will be able to recycle the lids and keep the containers uncovered until you are ready to plant. If plants are slow to grow at this time, fertilizing can be helpful.
Even in April, you can still “Winter-Sow”!
warm-season flowers, herbs and veggies can be winter-sown now
The name “winter sowing” is rooted in a technique that focuses on hardy perennial flowers. These are plants that survive in the ground over the winter like Minnesota native plants fit this grouping. The time has past to sow native perennials, but good news- you can continue winter sowing in April!
This technique that can work well in late spring with warm-season veggie crops, herbs and some annual flowers. Tomatoes & basil can also work with this method and timing. Almost anything that can be directly sown into garden beds in the month of May will appreciate being started ahead of time in a mini-greenhouse via winter-sowing in April. Flowers that I have grown this way include marigolds, zinnias, nasturtium, verbena, nicotiana, four o’clocks, helenium, alyssum, amaranth, gomphrena, borage, coreopsis, cosmos, cleome, tithonia, and gazania to name some.
a delay in size still can yield bounty
Keep in mind that winter-sown warm-season annuals can be delayed a couple of weeks from plants that have been started indoors. I encourage you not to be discouraged by this potential delay. If you do not have capacity or a place to grow seedlings indoors, or are choosing not to pay a greenhouse nursery for plants, winter-sown plants can help you fill in your gardens. Success with winter-sowing in April and May means paying attention to soil dryness and hot days- see above for guidance with these concerns. With a little care, and potentially fertilizing plants, you can augment other plant sources and provide some back-up in case you have crop failures by using the winter-sowing method.
#OutPlantTheOutbreak
Locations and all tips found at #OutPlantTheOutbreak blogpage