Winter Sowing Database page 2

Ummm, that certainly qualifies for Polar Planting in my book ;)

I was out there barefooted just for all my friends at DG!!! LOL

That table is covered with pots with my seeds in them 26 pots out so far!! I can't wait to add to the database in the spring so I am trying everything I have! LOL

I dont winter sow but some of my gardening pals do so I took a look at the method of entering data.

I am puzzled by the use of US postal code in answer to the What is your location question. I doubt very much that even the USA members would be able to tell you where that postal code is actually located ( correct me if I am wrong!)and of course for those of us outside the USA it is not helpful at all. More helpful would be the actually city or region along with the hardiness zone.

carol

Polar planting makes me wince too because of the unpleasantness. If that term works for you, then by all means use it. But for the official title, I still think it should be "winter sowing."

Carol, I'm with you on postal code. I'd have to look it up. How about city and state or city and province?

In the Plant files, I don't look at the zip code section. Most days I can't rmember my own, I always look for citties, states, regions, countries and zones. While I down here in zone 8a/b I am down in a section that like a valley and while a mile away it may be zone 8a depending on the weather my area can act like a zone 7 and at times a zone 6.

With looking at zones and reading areas, it helps me be able to try new thinsg here that maybe in another part of Al. couldn't be done.

Sow & Sowing?

I am NOT, NOT even going there!! My bad.............roflmao

Wow you guys have really been going to town. Kudos to all of you! It looks great so far. The only addition I can think of off hand is a search by zone. It would be wonderful if one could plug in their zone and see what had already been sown successfully (or not) in their own neck of the woods.

Keep up the great work y'all. I'll be adding my own meager contributions soon.
La

Regarding the location: the system does indeed support postal codes, as well as any other kind of location you can think of.

Matter of fact, if you go here: http://maps.google.com/

Enter in a location. If Google accepts the location, then we can accept the location in the Winter Sowing database. I'm using my new I18N technology to provide the locations, so you can enter info on just about any location on earth.

Later on, when we get the "Search by Location" up and running, you'll be able to query by Canadian province or European country, or zipcode or whatever.

dave

Woo hoo! Thanks for the flexibility in search capabilities Dave. This is going to be great!

--Ginny

WOW, Dave you are the MAN!

:)

Depending on how this goes, I'll be rolling that code into the other parts of the site (beginning probably with PlantFiles' zipcode reports area).

Will that include city and state?

Yes indeedy! If Google accepts it in the link I gave above, I will accept it, too.

Thanks Dave.

After we get the kinks worked out of the WS Database can you start on a Propogation Database for those of us new to propogation?

Please :) I second that one

The main propagation database is a few weeks out.

I'd love it if ya'll would start a new thread and start brainstorming on exactly what you'd want the propagation database to look like. I think that now that we have the WS database, it should give us some starting point for ideas on the Propagation. database.

dave

I'd put in a vote for gradual expansion by doing seed propagation first and working the kinks out of that before expanding to other propagaton methods... Or is it better to just toss in as many options as possible and then try to sort it out?

?

I'm for starting at the beginning with a seed! A logical progression...

Hey all
Put your propagation database on this thread

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/795469/

Just started it :o)

Thanks Distant.

I have other things to grow besides seeds. I received several cuttings last year and killed most of them. That is why I am interested in the propogation database.

LOL-Now no one wants to talk about planting in the snow-LOL

Well Robbi, there snow and then there's SNOW!! Get out the tall boots and the snow mobile and across the woods you go. And don't forget the ski mask. Wind chill is not good for a gurl's complexion, I believe that's the Minnesota version of debrasion..........LOL That's why all the gals have rosy cheeks and smooth skin!

We are getting ice here today and they are calling for a major winter storm this weekend.

TWO HAWK this is all your fault. You wanted Distant to send you some snow.

Distant for once it isn't your fault. Enjoy it while it lasts, I'm sure you will be back in trouble before the week is over.

I gotta tell ya, the longer this thread gets, the more and more impressed I am on how many GREAT suggestions and ideas that are being added. Y'all ROCK!

And never forget -- We are NOT Borg -- We are one -- We are DAVE!

LOL-shhhhh dylan-don't say that-I am keeping a low profile :o)
You know Santa is watching so I have to be good (or at least not get caught-LOL)


LOL Gymgirl.
Beam me up Dave!!

Back to the definition of winter sowing. I think a cold frame or a cold greenhouse is still "protective containers ... placed outdoors" . Ma nature still freezes & thaws those babies regardless of the size & shape of the "container". Different methods, same basic process. After all, those milk jugs are just mini-greenhouses for those of us who can't afford the real thing. LOL

Except for having to water in a cold frame. That's what makes it different.

Do the milkjugs get enough water on their own? I wouldn't think so unless they're sitting in something so they can draw water from the bottom. (You can tell I'm new to this.)

Some seeds should best be germinated utilizing trays whether they are winter sown or not. Wetland species come to mind but there are others.

And yes, milkjugs as well as other containers can and do dry out while being winter sown. I check mine every few weeks and if I feel they are too dry, I use a non aerosol spray bottle and spritz them with water until the medium is damp again.

Same deal with cold frames. Not so with my greenhouse. That is a very controlled environment and I'd be inclined to leave seeds germinated in trays in greenhouses out of the winter sowing mix regardless of whether it is a temperate greenhouse or not. Seeds germinated in greenhouses might be better left in general propagation now that it is in the works, no?

Thanks for the info, Equilibrium. I know I have a lot to learn.

I agree with you Equi - greenhouse germination should be part of the propagation DB. W/S means sown in the winter, but with alot less rules than regular propagation. It's more of a sow and go.

I like "sow and go" Anita! That's the appeal for me (along with the hardiness of the seedlings that eventually fill my milk jugs.) WS is just so easy. I found that while the soil was frozen, no problem with dryness. Only when the soil warmed up a lot and the seedlings were actively growing, did I have to check occasionally to see if the soil was dry. I used a watering can, but some folks use the "mist" setting on their hose nozzle. (You can also water from the bottom.) After the seedlings were up and running in the Spring, twice we had a few late frosts, so I just covered up my jugs with a old blanket. They survived, and I removed it the next day.

"Sow & Go" is cute and catchy.

I liked "sow & go" also.

Thanks, I do too - which is why I wintersow. :) Just call me the lazy gardener!

Sorry all-been recovering from a nasty virus-(I think) but will be back on to add more data soon.
Robbi

Hope you're feeling better quick Robbi.

Just wanted to bump this so people could find the link to the database :o)