Your Guide to Winter Sowing
Start Your Seeds Now and Let Nature Do The Work
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learning thus far in flower farming is to let nature do the work when possible. My general nature is that “I can do it all” and while that has served me well in some situations, it also tends to be a cause for me taking on more than I can handle and being stressed out in the end.
One of my goals for my second season of farming was to simplify things where I could, and so when I came across the concept of winter sowing some seeds, I thought “what the heck, let’s give it a go”… and I am so glad that I did. Never have I had an easier time starting seedlings than I did with those that were winter sown, because… here’s the magic… I didn’t have to do anything!
Winter sowing is one of those garden techniques that feels sort of like magic, especially as it’s so deeply rooted in nature’s own rhythms. Instead of starting all seeds indoors, this method uses the cold months to prepare cool hardy seedlings for spring. It’s a practice that’s as practical as it is inspiring, connecting us to the cycles of the seasons in a very tangible and hands-on way.
What Is Winter Sowing?
So, you might be asking yourself… “what exactly is winter sowing?”. Winter sowing essentially involves planting seeds in mini-greenhouses made from repurposed containers, then leaving them outside to germinate naturally. The seeds experience the freeze-and-thaw cycles of winter, breaking dormancy just as they would in the wild. Instead of having to intentionally create a cold stratification process for seeds if I were to start them indoors, nature does the work instead. When the conditions are right (i.e. warmer days and longer sunlight) the seeds sprout and grow, perfectly timed to your local climate.
This method is ideal for cold-hardy annuals, perennials, and native plants that thrive in USDA zones like ours here in Michigan (Zone 6a), and especially plants that are known to self-seed or sow themselves. Think hardy flowers like Yarrow, Poppies, Calendula, Echinacea, Snapdragons, Feverfew… the list could go on. You can also do this method with vegetables, too (although that is NOT my wheelhouse).
Why Try Winter Sowing?
If you’ve ever been overwhelmed by the process of indoor seed starting, like having all grow lights, seed trays (or soil-blocking supplies as I prefer), and the inevitable fight for space, winter sowing offers a simpler, less fussy alternative. Here are just a few reasons it’s worth considering:
Simplicity: No need for fancy equipment or a dedicated indoor space.
Resilience: Plants grown through winter sowing are naturally hardier, having adapted to outdoor conditions from the start.
Cost-Effectiveness: By using recycled materials, like milk jugs or takeout containers, you can avoid purchasing seed-starting kits.
Seasonal Connection: There’s something deeply satisfying about stepping outside in the quiet of winter to sow the first seeds of spring. I tell you, the smell of fresh soil at the end of January is something else.
How to Winter Sow Seeds
When I tell you this process is simple, I mean it. The most complicated part is probably figuring out which seeds you want to try out and making sure you have the containers ready. So, here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
Gather Supplies: You’ll need clear or translucent containers with lids (like milk jugs, clamshell salad containers, or soda bottles), a sharp knife or scissors, duct tape, potting soil, and seeds. Note: I have the best luck with milk jugs (or water gallons).
Prepare the Containers:
Cut the container in half or near the top, leaving the handle side (or one side if not using a jug) attached to act as a hinge.
Poke drainage holes in the bottom and ventilation holes in the lid or top half. If you’re using a jug, just simply leave the lid off.
Fill with Soil: Add 3-4 inches of moist potting soil (damp but not drenched) to the bottom of the container. Avoid compacting the soil too much.
Sow the Seeds: Sprinkle seeds on the soil’s surface, then either cover them lightly with more soil (or I use vermiculite) according to the seed packet’s depth recommendations. Some seeds require light for germination, so make sure to follow the directions for each specific seed type.
Label Your Containers: Use a waterproof marker to label the container with the seed variety and date. This is a small but critical step… trust me, you’ll thank yourself later! I also keep a numbered list in my notebook with the variety, date, etc.
Seal and Place Outside: Secure the container with duct tape. If you used a milk jug and cut the jug in half, you’ll want to wrap the tape around where it was cut, almost as if you’re reattaching the jug together. Then, place it outside in a sunny, protected spot. There’s no need to worry about snow or frost; the seeds are designed to handle it. I like to place mine on my back deck where I know they’ll get lots of sun and moisture, but also have somewhat of a protection from westerly winds.
Wait and Watch: Check periodically to ensure the soil hasn’t dried out, especially as spring approaches. The seedlings will emerge when the time is right and once they’re large enough you can transplant them to your garden! Now, given that you’re sprinkling the seeds on top of the dirt when you sow them, the seedlings will grow in clumps (as compared to a single seedling like if you were growing in seed trays or soil blocks). So, when you’re thinking of the seeds you want to winter sow, think about ones where you can transplant “clumps” together. When I transplant them, I break them into smaller clumps (maybe 4-5 per gallon jug) so that I create minimal root disturbance but also give them some space to thrive when planted.
Milk jugs used for winter sowing. Photo ©Arlyn Flower Farm
Seeds to Start Now
Winter sowing works best with seeds that require cold stratification (which is a period of chilling to break dormancy). These tend to be cold hardy annuals (those that do better in the cooler temps of spring and fall), perennials and natives. However, you can absolutely “winter sown” warm season annuals (like zinnias and such), you’ll just want to wait until the temps warm up slightly (closer to April here in Michigan). Here are some great options, but a quick online search will give you plenty to choose from:
Annual Flowers
Larkspur (Consolida ajacis)
Bachelor’s Buttons (Centaurea cyanus)
Nigella (Nigella damascena)
Poppies (varieties such as Icelandic, Shirley, and California)
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Orlaya (Orlaya grandiflora)
Perennial Flowers
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Delphinium (Delphinium elatum)
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) *tender perennial
Native Flowers
Milkweed (Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, or Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa)
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa)
Wild Bergamot (Monarda didyma)
Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
*Note: My USDA growing zone here in Michigan is 6a. I would always suggest confirming these plants will work for your local zone before buying/planting.
Snapdragons starting to germinate. Photo ©Arlyn Flower Farm
The Joy of Seasonal Alignment
As you set up your winter sowing containers, take a moment to appreciate the quiet work of this season. We’re still in the throes of winter, and so just as the seeds lie dormant, gathering strength for the warmer days ahead, winter invites us to do the same. It’s a time to nurture ourselves, dream of growth, and trust that even in the stillness, life is unfolding.
Come spring, when your containers burst with green shoots, you’ll hopefully have a garden full of plants and a deeper appreciation for the rhythms of nature. Winter sowing is more than a gardening technique. It’s a reminder that timing matters, patience pays off, and the natural world knows what it’s doing.
So grab those milk jugs, embrace the cold, and start sowing the seeds of a new season. The garden… and the lessons it brings… await!
And if you do give winter sowing a try, let me know how it goes!
Winter sown seedlings. Photo ©Arlyn Flower Farm, 2025