Sowing winter seeds
Many customers are not aware that some seeds flourish when sown in the cold winter months, and certain seeds require a period of cold before germination can occur. By ordering seeds online from http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk/ for winter sowing, or even to give as a Christmas gift, you can get a head start in spring!
Of course there are certain seeds that will rot and die in frosty or cold wet conditions, so it is essential to know which variety to sow, and to understand the principles of winter sowing. There are two main groups which benefit from winter sowing, these are hardy plants, from moderately cold countries, which naturally become exposed to cool weather over the winter months and become early, hardened plants that are well acclimatised and will flower sooner, or alpines and shrubs and trees from extremely cold climates, which require ‘stratification’ or cold frosty conditions, before they will germinate at all.
When buying seeds online for winter sowing, remember each seed has its own unique design which helps it to thrive in it’s own natural geographic location. Some (such as flower seeds) require warm spring temperatures and cannot survive freezing, particularly in damp or wet soil. Whilst others are designed for harsh frozen winters and cannot germinate until they receive a signal that winter has passed. One theory is that the shell of the seed is cracked by the winter frost, and that this is why some seeds benefit from having the shells broken or pricked before sowing, as it mimics this process.
In times gone by, the first crop of vegetable seeds or garden bed for spring was sow in autumn or winter, and a second at the beginning of spring to give two flowerings. In recent years using greenhouses and heated propagation or frost tunnels has taught gardeners to keep germinating plants warm, and the old methods have been forgotten.
For acclimatisation:
- Lathyrus (Sweet Pea)
- Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist)
- Broad Beans
- Garlic bulbs
- Viola x wittrockiana (Pansy)
- Matthiola (Stock)
- Garden peas
- Certain Cabbages
- Iberis (Candytuft)
- Alcea (Hollyhock)
- Calendula (Pot Marigold)
For stratification:
- Hebe
- Helleborus
- Bonsai Tree
- Conifers
- Wisteria
- Clematis
- Iris
- Corydalis
Stratification should be done carefully. Only use seeds which you have researched thoroughly and are sure need stratification. Place them in a moist soil or sand mixture, and make sure that they are not so wet as to rot. They can be placed in a small plastic bag, then place outside in a sheltered spot for the winter. You can use a fridge instead, as this may recreate outside temperatures. Make sure that an adequate layer of soil, sand or compost is provided to prevent complete freezing, as this may cause permanent damage. Sowing in pots is an acceptable method, but do not cover with a ground or frost sheet, as this can give too much protection from the elements.
Looking for cheap mail order seeds is easy, just visit http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk/ and choose from a wide range.
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