When spring finally arrives, the seeds germinate when the soil temperatures warm naturally. You don't have to worry about timing, and you get well-adapted seedlings that often perform better than those transplanted from indoors.
This method also frees up space on your countertops and ensures your seedlings are tough enough to handle whatever the environment throws at them. You probably already have most of the materials you need to start—seeds, some potting mix, and plastic containers to create your mini-greenhouses.
You can sow most seeds, but some are considered safer bets than others due to their cold tolerance. Whether you need to fill a gap in your garden with perennials or annuals, winter sowing is a great way to get a head start.
Keeping them outside means they'll emerge when temperatures are just right, establishing strong roots and flowering as soon as possible. From cottage garden classics to frost-tolerant favorites, these flowers make seed-starting in winter feel effortless.
Black-eyed Susan is an excellent go-to if you're looking for a sun-loving perennial that fits into just about any garden style or design. The bright yellow petals scream summer, but the seeds don't mind frosty conditions.
Coneflowers are tough in many ways, including in the face of cold. They don't mind temperature dips, ready to pop up as soon as spring arrives. Once they mature, the flowers add amazing texture and color wherever they are planted while attracting a range of pollinators at the same time.
Like coneflowers, yarrow is no stranger to tough conditions. It may look delicate, but yarrow can handle drought, poor soil, and even cold quite well.
Cold stratification for about a month is recommended, making them a great choice for winter sowing. Cold stratification is a process that exposes seeds to cold, moist conditions to soften the seed coat and activate germination. This process mimics the plant's natural growing cycles, providing the conditions to boost germination when temperatures increase. A great place to start is with yarrow seeds. Place them on the surface of a well-draining mix, keep them slightly moist, then let them chill outdoors all season long.
If you care about butterflies (especially monarchs), milkweed is a must-have. These plants produce clusters of delicate flowers that are crucial nectar sources for pollinators. Their leaves are also the only food monarch caterpillars can eat.
Cosmos, marigolds, calendula, sea holly, sunflower, Salvia, Snapdragons, Delphiniums, and Love-in-a-Mist are also easy to sow in late winter.
Vegetables have a variety of seeds that can handle the cold and like the cooler months. Spinach is the standard cool-season green, thriving in temperatures other veggies can't handle. Whether tossing the leaves into salads or soups, fresh homegrown spinach tastes much better than anything store-bought.
Sow your spinach seeds in a protected container in late winter. As the weather fluctuates, the seeds will remain in the soil until they sense the warmth of spring. Once germinated, give seedlings partial to full sun and steady moisture.
Kale's cold hardiness is well-known among gardeners (it even tastes sweeter after a frost). That's why it's no surprise that this seed-starting process sets this leafy green up for success. Grow kale if you want a hearty green loaded with vitamins and can handle temperature swings better than most leafy veggies.
The colorful stems and glossy leaves of Swiss chard are both decorative and delicious. They are a great nutrient-packed addition to salads or stews, fitting well amongst other cool-season leafy greens in the garden, too.
Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse, but that's not all it's appreciated. It is surprisingly easy to grow and adaptable. This process produces strong seedlings that know how to handle the outdoors from day one. This gives you large green heads for harvesting, plus plenty of side shoots.
Broccoli and Brussels sprouts do not mind the cold, so don't be afraid to plant outdoors, even if it's snowing. By the time spring arrives, the seedlings will emerge tough and ready.
Winter-sown broccoli and Brussels sprouts often thrive as the natural chill helps seedlings develop into sturdy young plants that can handle variable spring weather. Roast them, drizzle with olive oil and salt lightly. Add a topping of bacon if you're feeling adventurous, and you'll quickly convince any guests at your dinner table.
Beets are one of the easiest crops to grow. Their compact size means they're easy to squeeze into small gaps in the garden between other veggies or even in containers if they're deep enough.
All these seeds, along with many others and a full array of supplies, can be found at The Village Nursery and Garden Center in Fallon, 2975 Reno Highway, Fallon. The gracious and friendly staff is never too busy to answer questions in person or on the phone; please call 775-867-GROW.
Shared by: The Village Nursery and Garden Center, Winter Seeds to Sow Now, February Newsletter
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