I heard about something called "Winter Sowing" that I thought
sounded kinda interesting. You can get more information about it at http://www.wintersown.org/.
Basically the concept is that you build a mini greenhouse for one
seedling. The seedling is then left out all winter, just like a wild
seed. In the spring it pops out and shows its little leaves for all to
see.
The site is not the greatest site. The essay posted is full of typos
and even a paragraph that is repeated a little further down the page.
If you can get past that, the information is very useful. The woman who
runs the site will take your sase and send you either 6 packets of
seeds (flowers, I think) of her choice, or will send you 6 packets of
tomato seeds of her choice. You choose the standard or tomato package
and she sends them to you. Just costs 2 envelopes and 3 stamps. She
also sends a packet of information. I have not yet sent for the
package, but have spoken with others who speak highly of the process.
I know it is a little late for winter sowing, but I have set out
some tomatoes for a late winter sow. We will see how they do. I'll also
start a few other plants this way and post the details here. Basically,
I took some old birthday cups, put in the drainage hole, some soil, a
seed or two, covered it with plastic wrap and taped it down. I then set
it out in the sun. I'll check on them every now and then and see how
they are doing.
I did a little searching for books on winter sowing. The only things
I found were a couple of academic tomes that mention winter sowing.
Nothing very useful to the average gardener. I suggest checking out the
site. Try a few seeds that way, and try a few however you normally
start them (I have several under lights, right now) and see how they
do. Seeds are usually pretty cheap (or free), so it is not like it will
cost much to give it a try.
