spring & summer sowing - how, why, whether

OK. The results are in as far as what did and what didn't make it to adolescence. There are perennial seeds I still have which I would like to try again - can I do it NOW? I like the containers because the critters don't get the seeds and I remember where I planted them. On the other hand, I'm afraid at this point that a container will heat up too fast and fry any germination. I like not having to worry about the seedlings and letting nature do its work; I won't be able to wait on these things hand and foot, as it were. (I do have a life, I think.) Maybe if I make super big holes, effectively just like a screen over the top? Mosquito netting? Cheesecloth? Tulle? Saran wrap with holes doesn't work.

Carrie

I did a lot of summer sowing last year with mixed results. I had issues with keeping the jugs watered (used a baby pool) and squirrels digging in the opened jugs. I plan to try summer sowing again but will do a smaller number of containers and use netting for the squirrels. I never hurts to try!

Joanne

Carrie -- I'm in the same boat. I want to get seeds in the ground, but know the birds and other critters may possibly get some of the seeds... and the lil seedlings when they start popping up.

There were quite a few things [ok, a lot] that did not germinate for me that i really want to grow this year.
So, i may just go sprinkle and hope for the best.

I think i still may do some herbs in containers

I've been out there weeding.. making room for more plants ... and i'm going to sprinkle some butterfly mix i bought.

PLUS -- my neighbor hired a guy to come and widen our flower bed .... it's way in the back .... and we hear he may make an appearance on Monday... and i'm really trying to hold off with a lot of seeds til he's gone - and finished.

also -- the way i see it.... i've got SOOOO many seeds... if the critters get a few... that's OK i guess. There's always the Seed Swaps in the Fall/Winter for 2009.

Terese

But, Terese, are you going to use any type of containers to help the little guys along? Good luck on the hired help - my neighbors view me as a hindrance, I think.

Carrie -- some yes and some no.

for the wild flower mix... i just pulled the weeds [that loosened the soil a bit] raked it over, then sprinkled the seeds.
Guess it was an "annual" mix... but they will all reseed too, for next year.

Hi, carrielamont--

If you are trying to WS perennials that require a cold period now you may not have time for that. I'm not sure what your seasons are like there.

If you are going to sow perennials that don't require a cold period and that won't bloom until next year, then it might be best to start them later this summer so you don't have to worry about keeping them watered so long. If they do require a cold period you could refrigerate the seeds in damp perlite or planting mix and then plant them out later this summer.

I would think it would be fine to start tender annuals now in milk jugs or covered trays outdoors. I am starting some zinnias now.

I do have a heat mat in the basement and lately I've been starting tender annual seeds just until they germinate on the heat mat, and then immediately setting them outside to grow a la wintersowing. Did this with alyssum and zinnias and a few others. They seem to be doing OK.

I'm going to sow herb seeds and place them on the heat mats tomorrow. Thanks for reminding me! I forgot to do basil and need more parsley!

Just my random thoughts....

Good luck. t.

T- You picked a good year to cheat at WSing with heat mats. This Cincinnati weather- cold, cloudy, constant rain- isn't very conducive to WSing. And the 10 day forecast insn't too encouraging.

Last year I complained about the early onset of extreme heat and drought, so maybe I can't be pleased. I wish we could hit a happy medium on the weather. This is getting ridiculous.

Karen

Am I allowed to say Global Climate Change?

So......Is starting seeds outside in beds a bad thing now? Most of the packets say after last frost.....New to all of this.

TJB

Hi, kqcrna, I know what you mean about the weather! Not very conducive to 'easy does it' gardening around here, is it?!

Today my son helped me weed out the perennial garden bed, put down some new rich planting mix here and there, and plant some of my seedlings today (in the rain). Now I'm ready for a great butterfly season this summer! Still more to do, though, but I'm just thrilled that at least some of my seedlings are in the ground.

Yes, shadowjack, you can direct sow right into the soil. Some of us don't do that though because birds and critters eat the seeds, heavy rain washes the seeds away, or like me, I can't tell what is a seedling and what is a weedling so I end up yanking the wrong stuff.

If you plant the seeds in a protected pot or tray, you at least know where they are and how they are doing, then you can stick the seedlings into the soil when they are a bit bigger. (See the Wintersown website for the 'Hunk o Seedling method' of transplanting.)

TJB -- I have not looked up Westville yet .... but we are similar zones ... i've spent much of this week direct sowing seeds. I was hoping to get it done a few weeks ago ... but finally got to it this week.

I've noticed that seeds that 'fell' last year, like Morning Glories, are sprouting ... so i figured any new seeds would do well now.

I also started planting out a few of my WS containers.

This year i've set out plant markers so i will at least know what they are, and not have to go to the Plant ID forum to get ID's.

Terese

Agreed, on the seedling vs. weedling dilemma! But I have so many more seeds!

I am in the same boat....lol The weather was not the best these past weeks, and a few nights it dipped to the low 40s, I this week was the first week available. I wonder if I should build a screen over the bed, maybe 6 inches above it, to keep birds and such away. Good or bad idea?

TJB

the way i see that is.... i put down so many seeds, that if the birds, squirrels and what-not eat some,,, that's OK because if they all germinated, there would be too many plants.

TJB, I like that idea. I have no screen, and part of this idea is not to go buy a bunch more junk. But I like it. I go through OJ at a phenomenal rate, and it's easy to punch holes in those - I thought I might use those for some spring sowing. You know, the waxy cardboard kind of half gallon cartons? Cut off the lid, put the 4" of soil down in the bottom so the birds can't get down there, and voila. Carrie

There is some cheap mesh you could fashion into some kind of protection if you are worried about birds eating seeds and seedlings. Don't know that it would do much if you have a critter problem, though. The moles and voles and squirrels and chipmunks are quite vexing!

My neighbor set up old screens in a square and put one on top to protect his baby tomato plants. Will work for a while I guess.

Wow - I actually got good germination - ALL THREE of the Alyssum saxatile seeds I put out in April (in a deep plastic drink cup) sprouted! Yay! I didn't expect ANY - this proves it WASN'T the seed before, but the something else, drainage holes is my guess.

Carrie

I am summer sowing perennials - check the Stokes Seeds website for a schedule for summer sowing

http://www.stokeseeds.com/cgi-bin/StokesSeeds.storefront

ENABLER! DISTRACTOR! Keep it coming, LOL!

LOL

Hey, I got to do something during the summer . . . both my summer classes were cancelled.

Is that good or bad?

Mixed . . . with the cost of fuel the extra money would have been nice . . . on the other hand, I get to play in the dirt all summer . . . . well, I would be if it would just cool off. Almost 100 degrees today - with the humidity it feels like 105 degrees. sigh . . .

With the humidity it feels like 115 degrees..... no, 135 degrees.... no, 155 degrees!!!

But to the degree (Freudian slip) - to the extent that you can benefit from having less work to do, then I am happy for you.

Clever pun!