Planting seeds in winter

Winter sowing is an outdoor germination technique that allows you to plant seeds during the coldest months of the year and carry out work that is normally done in spring. It is a simple method that consists of planting certain species in winter to harvest the harvest with the first heats. During all this time the seed remains inactive, but ready to sprout at the first opportunity.

It is proven that there are species that do well when left outside throughout the winter. There are seeds that need to experience cool and humid conditions, either because they have hard shells that soften from freezing and thawing or because the change in temperature helps them sprout. This process is called cold stratification, and the seeds of many trees, shrubs and perennials require these conditions to sprout.

Planting seeds in winter can be done directly in the ground or in greenhouses, transplanting the seedlings later. Direct sowing does not provide as many advantages as sowing in containers since the soil in the soil does not heat up as quickly as that of a container. However, it will save the time and effort of the transplant.

Brycus Tips : Winter sowing in covered containers gives excellent results. Once located outside, the receptacles act as mini-greenhouses, allowing the seeds to experience the winter cold in a controlled environment. When the temperature gets high enough, the seeds will germinate and begin to grow on their own. By the time the soil in the seedbeds is at the ideal outside temperature, the seedlings are ready to be transplanted.

Before starting, you have to prepare the equipment. For this you will need:

• Containers with lids that can withstand freezing and thawing caused by winter weather (plastic, etc.), transparent or translucent

• A light, fluffy, well-draining potting soil mix

• Labels

• Quality seeds

• A place outdoors where plants can germinate safely

Some Brycus tips for creating mini-greenhouses:

• Always choose seeds that are resistant as the seeds of tropical or very tender plants will die in the cold. At Brycus we have a large selection of seeds , including some of the most suitable for winter sowing.

• Make sure the containers have drainage holes on the bottom and air vents on the top cover.

• Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil and cover with more soil until reaching the appropriate sowing depth. Put at least 5 to 8 cm of soil in the container containers, although 7 to 13 cm would be preferable. This will help isolate the seeds and prevent them from coming to the surface.

• Sow more seeds than will actually be needed as germination rates will be lower than if grown under ideal conditions. However, don't sow too bushy either or the seedlings will crowd each other when they start to grow.

• Label the containers at each planting, indicating the variety of seed and the date. After a while it is easy not to remember what has been planted in each container

• Place greenhouses outdoors in a location that is safe from strong wind, but where sun, rain, and even snow are freely received.

• Relax and let nature take over. As the weather cools and warms the seeds will freeze and thaw, loosening the covers. This is the reason why it will not be necessary to soak or cut the hard-shelled seeds of species such as the Ipomea or "bella by day" or sweet peas.

In especially cold climates, it is best to plant hardy perennial annuals first and wait until March to plant the most tender annuals.

With the first heats, the seedlings will begin to emerge, indicating that the time has come to check if the soil has water. When opening the lids, if the soil appears dry, it should be moistened thoroughly but gently, so as not to disturb the tender root systems. Then they will close again. On warm sunny days it is recommended to remove the covers for a few hours so that the sprouted shoots can enjoy the fresh spring air. At dusk, do not forget to close the containers again.

Winter sowing is really advantageous as it does not require lighting systems or heating devices and usually results in strong and resistant plants. Although it is normal for some seeds to be lost, the satisfaction it gives can make it addictive. At Brycus we have a great selection of seeds for you to give winter planting a shot, an easy and cost effective way to get a beautiful orchard or garden. Some of the optimal varieties to plant according to this system are:

• Flowers : alyssum, butterfly grass, calendula, coreopsis, cosmos, foxgloves, hollyhocks or petunias

• Vegetables: garlic, onion, leek, beets, broccoli, cabbage, chard, carrots, kale, lettuce, radishes, spinach or parsley