winter sowing

I read an article on the web about winter sowing seeds into trays and then just putting them outside this time of year. Then they sprout when it warms up and all of a sudden you have naturally hardend off seedlings for your garden. Has anyone actually tried this in a zone 3 or colder setting?? email me at dslh@hotmail.com and let me know because it would sure save alot of my livingroom space this spring!!

Hi Nece,
I can't answer for your zone however, this is the first year I am winter sowing almost everything in my zone 5. It seems easier and more practical than stuffing my house with seeds trays and lights to get the same germination. Some seeds I will sow directly in the Spring, also. I like the idea of no hardening off problems. Currently, I have about 40 plastic gallon milk jugs, 40 chinese food take out aluminum trays with lids, 50 litre soda bottles, and some margerine tubs ready to go soon. I will hold back half of my seeds, though, in case this major experiment goes bust. Some of my friends winter sow near the New York/PA border and they've had great results :)
Trish

I always sow my perennial seeds in the Autumn (well, I sow seeds all year round) and leave them to germinate when they will. I've sown hundreds of seeds from September to now, and some of them have germinated, I expect many to come up in the spring, and some may take years. I only do tropical seeds indoors. I'm in Ireland - we do have frost but temperatures here only go down to about 20F.

I too am trying the 'winter sowing', just hope it works in 'rain forest BC' as we don't have any snow, but lots & lots of damp miserable rainy weather all winter long. Have planted 256 different types of seeds, last week, as an experiment. Am keeping a journal of what I have sown and what germinates when (when they do) and the when I transplant them into the garden.

This method sounds fascinating....and it sure would give me a jump start on our flaky weather here in Southern Jersey. Can anyone tell me more about this method? I would sure love to have the extra space in my living room ....and in my kitchen....and my dining room.... etc.! :-)

Is is just a simple as putting seeds in soil and setting them outside? Wouldn't that kill any annuals? I could see perennials suriving, but am wondering about veggies and annual flowers.

i too would like to try this winter sowing idea. would it help if you put the seeds on an outdoor cold porch or cold frame?

her ar the complete directions to winter sowing seeds outdoors I am planning on trying this too....
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/seed/msg0810012814889.html?50