Let me start by saying there won't be any pics with this post. My entire yard is a disaster and isn't likely to get cleaned or sorted out any time soon. My question is this. I am out today attempting to do some work and what do I see? Some small seedlings of the plants I started last winter. Some are common but some are ones that I only had a couple plants, like prairie verbena. Do you think these little plants have a chance of surviving the winter? I was going to clear away the ton of dead plants but now I am wondering if that is a good idea? Could I cover them with mulch or would that kill them? So many questions for such tiny life forms.
Cheryl
Good or Bad Luck?
Good question Cheryl. I've often wondered the same thing. I have read in other places that some people like to sow seeds in the fall so they can overwinter as seedlings till next spring when they will become larger stronger plants. However I have not tried this myself so it will be interesting to learn what will be best for your accidental babies :)
I would put some loose cover them maybe put some empty pots up side down around them and then lay a plastic sheet over that, and of course remove it on warm days, that should work fine.
Josephine.
They are a bit scattered for that and my work schedule doesnt allow me to be out there much. I'll have to see what would be the easiest.
Generally, seeds that are sown in the fall will overwinter quite well on their own. The rosettes they form lie close enough to the ground to survive the winter around here. Prairie Verbena is one of the wildflowers that self seeds and comes back every year here on the ranch. Wildseed Farms is a good source of information if your seedlings are wildflower seedlings. .
http://shop.wildseedfarms.com/Individual-Species/products/1/
Clicking on the individual names will take you to more information. Information includes photo of the seedling. If the "when to sow" information says fall, it will overwinter in Texas. Plants resulting from seeds that need to be sown in the spring will freeze and will need to be protected.
You are probably right about some of those plants. Some will likely do ok but others might not. The prairie verbena adult plants are still green, apparently they don't mind some below freezing temps. I never did mulch that bed because it had so many seedlings in the spring. Now I guess I will wait again. Do you think clearing all the dead material out of the bed is a wise idea? It's in an awful state but I am wondering if all that dead material will help protect next years crop of little plants?
C
The dead matter may help if it's deep enough — at least 4" thick — and if it stays dry. Wet soggy mulch wouldn't protect much and would encourage molds and mildews to form which could kill the seedlings. Seedlings around here seem to grow best in open areas where little or no debris accumulates.
I am not but about 25 miles or so from you. I have been throwing seed out in the late fall early winter for the last 6-7 years. In fact, I cut down some Amaranthus plants today and scattered the seed. I scatter poppy seed as it develops every year. If you think about it, nature drops the seed and then it takes care of itself until Spring. Right now, I have all kinds of seeds germinating right where it fell. Of course, I don't worry with hybrids or other specialty plants. If I could figure out how to upload from iPhoto, I would show you my flower garden. It is amazing. With Josephine's knowledge, I am going more and more to natives. Not near the work. I don't rake the leaves from the beds but I do dispose of the stalks of frozen plants.
Today I also, did severe pruning of Flame Acanthus. Left alone, it would cover the entire yard, but so beautiful when it is blooming and covered with hummers.