Can’t wait for spring? While it’s too early to start seeds indoors in zone 5b, you can get your garden growing now with winter sowing. Using just recycled containers, soil, and seeds, you can start hundreds of plants without grow lights or indoor space. Best of all? Mother Nature handles most of the work, making this perfect for busy or beginning gardeners.

This method, popularized by Trudi Davidoff, lets you start seeds outdoors during winter using simple containers as mini greenhouses.Winter sowing harnesses nature’s cold stratification process, where freezing temperatures help break down seeds’ outer shells, promoting better germination. The technique works especially well for cold-hardy vegetables and flowers that need this cold period to thrive.

Get a Jump Start on Gardening with Winter Sowing

Winter sowing is a low-cost, low-effort method to start seeds outdoors during winter using recycled containers as mini greenhouses. Perfect for cold-hardy plants and gardeners without indoor growing space. Start any time after Winter Solstice through early spring.

Seeds actually germinate quite easily outside in the cold weather, sparking a growing movement of winter sowing gardeners! While the method is likely much older, Davidoff is credited with spreading awareness about the technique. In 2006, the USDA added the term to the National Agricultural Library Thesaurus.

Once you try it for yourself, you’ll see why this gardening method has become so popular.

How Winter Sowing Works

Winter sowing is very simple. I like to call it the lazy person’s way to start garden seeds! It’s also very frugal – you don’t need a lot of supplies – it really just takes a little bit of time.

You’re basically taking advantage of the seeds’ natural characteristics – in this case, winter dormancy and cold stratification. Seeds respond to cold by going dormant. In fact, some seeds need the cold stratification to go dormant before they’ll germinate.

The freezing process weakens the seeds’ hard outer shell, so it’s easier for them to germinate. Winter sowing is simply planting seeds outdoors in the winter, even in temperatures below freezing.

You can plant seeds in containers to transplant into beds later or directly in the ground. Using containers is a good idea, because you essentially build little warming greenhouses, are able to label everything, and keep your plants more organized.

After winter has passed, the weather warms up, and the ground starts to thaw, the seeds begin sprouting. Voila – you have seedlings started with minimal effort! You’ve probably noticed this process in your garden already!

If you have plants (even weeds, unfortunately) that are self-seeding, they tend to come back the next year as volunteer plants without any work on your part. Every year, I have sunflowers self-seed every year, as well as radishes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more! I love volunteers in my garden because it’s less work for me!

When Should You Start Seeds Outdoors in Winter

Winter sowing can happen anytime after the Winter Solstice. Some seeds, mostly flowers, need cold stratification to germinate. That means, they have to spend a several months in cold, moist temperatures to germinate. Many flowers, shrubs, trees, and perennials require cold stratification to grow well.

Plants that require cold stratification can be put outside in cold weather, or they can be stored in the fridge too. American Meadows can walk you through the cold stratification process for many native wildflowers, if you’re curious.

Most cold weather vegetables that will benefit from winter sowing don’t need cold stratification though, so you can use this winter sowing guide right up until a few weeks before your last average frost date if you want! That means you can get started right now!!

Benefits of Sowing Seeds Outdoors in the Winter

Winter sowing offers several benefits to gardeners, such as:

• You can get a head start on your garden without taking up a bunch of space in your home. Starting seeds indoors is another way to get ahead, but you need a lot of room for seeds trays.
• Seeds planted in winter will germinate easily.
• You can winter sow seeds in containers to keep things organized and to be able to move them around as needed.
• You don’t need to purchase a lot of equipment for winter sowing.
• You save on energy that you might have to use for supplemental lighting when starting seeds indoors.

Winter Sowing vs. Indoor Seed Starting: Which Method is Right for You?

Understanding the differences between winter sowing and traditional indoor seed starting can help you choose the best method for your situation. Here’s a detailed comparison:

Space Requirements

• Winter Sowing: Requires outdoor space only. Containers can be placed on patios, decks, or directly in the garden. No indoor space needed.
• Indoor Starting: Demands significant indoor space for seed trays, growing lights, and possibly heat mats.

Cost Considerations

• Winter Sowing: Minimal investment needed. Uses recycled containers and natural light/temperature cycles. No electricity required.
• Indoor Starting: Higher initial costs for grow lights, heat mats, seed starting trays, and increased electricity usage.

Plant Hardiness

• Winter Sowing: Produces naturally hardened-off plants that are already acclimated to outdoor conditions.
• Indoor Starting: Requires careful hardening off process lasting 7-14 days to prevent transplant shock.

Time Investment

• Winter Sowing: Less daily maintenance required. Nature handles most watering and temperature regulation.
• Indoor Starting: Demands daily attention for watering, monitoring temperature, adjusting lights, and preventing damping off.

Success Rate

• Winter Sowing: Better success with cold-hardy plants and those requiring cold stratification.
• Indoor Starting: Higher success rate with warm-season crops and tender annuals.

Temperature Control

• Winter Sowing: Relies on natural temperature fluctuations. Works best in zones 2-7.
• Indoor Starting: Provides consistent temperatures, beneficial for heat-loving plants.

Best Plants for Each Method

Winter Sowing Works Best For:

• Cold-hardy vegetables (kale, spinach, lettuce)
• Native perennials
• Plants requiring cold stratification
• Early spring flowers

Indoor Starting Works Best For:

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Eggplants
• Tender annuals
• Heat-loving herbs

Choosing Your Method

Consider winter sowing if:

• You have limited indoor space
• Want to reduce energy costs
• Are growing cold-hardy plants
• Prefer a low-maintenance approach

Choose indoor starting if:

• You live in zones 8-10
• Need precise temperature control
• Are growing mainly warm-season crops
• Want earlier harvests

Supplies for Starting Seeds Outdoors in the Winter

If you’re going to sow your seeds in containers, you want to be sure to only use containers that will hold up over the cold winter months.  You can winter sow seeds in almost anything, but the key is what you do with them over winter.

• Containers for planting. Recycled cans, plastic milk containers or water jugs, take out containers, and plastic soda bottles work well.
• Potting starting mix
• Labels
• Seeds

You might also want to have a table or stand outside to keep your containers in, but it’s not absolutely necessary.

How to Make Miniature Greenhouses

Some gardeners make mini greenhouses for their winter sowing. This project is very easy and costs very little money. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Cut a plastic gallon milk jug in half so that it has a top and a bottom.
2. Remove the cap.
3. Punch drainage holes in the bottom half using a hammer and punch. Also punch a few holes in the top so that rain and snow can water your greenhouse for you.
4. Fill the bottom with potting mix and plant your seeds!
5. Label the top half with the type of seeds you planted and any other info you want to have.
6. Tape the milk jug back together and place it outside.
7. In the spring, monitor your greenhouses for growth and keep the soil moist.

Kevin Lee Jacobs from A Garden For The House shared this tutorial on his website. In the spring, he also recommends uncovering the seedlings to give them more light during the day. When the seedlings are mature enough, you can transplant them into your garden beds.

Transplanting Winter Sown Seedlings into Containers

When it’s time to  transplant winter seedlings from containers to outside raised beds, here’s what you should do.

1. In your prepared garden beds, dig out the right sized holes for planting.
2. Be sure to include plenty of space between each hole so your plants won’t be crowded as they grow. Yes, your garden might look a bit “sparse” at first but it will be well worth it in the long run when your plants don’t have to compete for light and nutrients.
3. Use a spoon to carefully “dig” out a seedling. Be careful not to disturb the other seedlings around it.
4. Place one seedling in each hole and gently secure it in place with soil.
5. Water carefully.

Tips for a Successful Winter Seed Sowing Experience

If you want your winter sowing to be successful, these are some things you should keep in mind:

• Use fresh, high quality potting soil.
• Label your containers so you know what’s germinating in the spring. Here are 20 cute and easy diy garden markers you can make easily at home!
• Place your greenhouses or containers somewhere they’ll get rain water in the spring.
• Use hardy seeds and follow planting directions on the seed packets.
• Don’t transplant your winter sown seedlings too early. Wait until they’re mature enough to survive the move.

Winter Sowing Vegetables

Not all plants will succeed when sown in winter. For example, tropical seeds won’t survive freezing temperatures, but cold hardy vegetables and greens are perfect for starting outdoors in winter.  Here are just some of the winter sowing vegetables you can try that have a good chance of success:

• Carrots
• Swiss chard
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Radishes
• Brussels sprouts
• Lettuce
• Beets
• Parsley

Winter Sowing Flowers

You’re not limited to vegetables when it comes to sowing seeds in the winter, either. Many flowers do well with this method, including alyssum, sweet peas, milkweed, poppies, calendula, and petunias.

If you’re going to have just one gardening trick up your sleeve, winter sowing should be it. There’s no easier or more inexpensive way to start a lot of plants for your garden. For just a few dollars worth of soil and seeds, plus some recycled containers, you can have literally hundreds of plants if you want to!

The savings go even further if you’re planting your own heirloom seeds. If you end up with more plants than you need, you can sell them, give them away, or trade with other gardeners. Give it a try this winter and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is.Have you ever tried winter sowing?

What plants have you successfully grown with this method? Share your tips in the comments below!