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January 2017

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  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039

    I have just read the winter sowing pdf. and it seems very odd that some of the recommended seeds are half hardy annuals and are likely to die using this method.

    Most people would suggest sowing Zinnia, Cleome and Cosmos indoors and much later than January.

    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043

    That winter sowing pdf. is for Minnesota, USA. Wonder what the climate is like there.

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043

    Good heavens! hot summers and freezing cold winters.

    image

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150

    What will I be doing in January aym? image

    Hopefully, very little  imageimage 

    At a push I might have a go at knocking up a diy cold frame for spring, if the weathers rotten I'll just think about knocking up a diy cold frameimage

    I'll be holding off seed sowing til March but might start off some lobelia in late Jan in my new heated propagator. I think it's one of the ones Lyn said benefits from an early start.

    Question to all. Shall we have another seed progress thread in the spring? Gardengirl did the first one I saw in 2015 and I kicked off 2016's.  Does anyone else fancy a go? I don't mind starting the thread, but I'm no expert with the advice.

  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150

    You're a hardier woman than me aym. Don't go overdoing it trying to level out the end of the garden, the ground might be rock hard from the bitter winter cold.

    I find outdoor jobs much easier with a bit of sunshine on your back?

    Thanks for the Styrofoam cup tip?  I start my seeds off in the conservatory, so they have a lot of light but not much heat here in the north west. A bit of extra insulation could come in handyimage

  • Pdoc, you'll be surprised !!! Just pick your plants carefully, I winter sow through Jan. Feb and March. The beauty of this method is that you just sow the seeds and forget them, they are snug in their own mini greenhouse ( I tend to use plastic milk containers) and the cap is left off for ventilation and self watering ( via condensation and rainfall) It really is easy!

    BL check out what zone your in, the place you mentioned will hit as low as -11 next wk! brrrrrrr.

    The first time I tried it ( a few yrs ago now) I used both methods( seed trays) just in case of failure, but I needn't have worried.

    I have even seen pics of milk containers covered in thick snow.....this apparently keeps them insulated in very cold weather.

    All i can say is,give it a go.

  • Fishy65Fishy65 Posts: 2,276

    Many hardy perennial seeds require exposure to low temps in order to break dormancy, thus replicating nature. I sowed some sweet woodruff yesterday image

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039

    I agree flowers, but not half hardies as suggested on the list.

    I sow many seeds in late Autumn, to allow them to get a period of cold. I expect those seeds to germinate in the Spring.

    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Hello Kitty 2 would be good to have the seed progress thread in the spring I lost the thread so missed seeing everyone seeds

    I live in Southampton so weather warmer down here bulbs of daffs have started to show

    In January I will do the new years day flower count, lots to do need to carry on building my shed at the allotment, loads of digging, harvesting potatoes, maybe painting my wood for raised bed, lots of planning

    Amy280 Robin.white did make a good compost area, need to make on as well as you

    Hampshire Gardener
  • Amy280 it may be a while for me lots of brambles to dig out where they will be going -horse manure and compost bins for me - will upload photos though, so far this year horse manure is in crates on the plot

    Hampshire Gardener
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