Propagation: Lessons learned for next year #3, 1 by Brent_In_NoVa

Brent_In_NoVa wrote:
On lesson that I learned from my previous go at winter sowing is that you do have to think about mature sizes when planting out your babies. I will let many of my seedlings mature for a month or two in pots, but even then they are such tiny plants. I had such a hard time convincing myself that these puny plants would soon be 3' wide.

I was really surprised by how fast my winter sown plants matured and how quickly some of my plantings became over crowded. In general I do like to plant new perennials close to get that full look earlier with the ideas that I can thin them later. With my seedling I though that the thinning job would be in a year or two, but many plants were too crowded after just a few months.

Below is a picture taken in June 2005. Look at the recently planted garden to the left of the bench that is about 50% wintersown plants.

- Brent