Tips I have learned over the Years of Winter Sowing

      

          
             In January, Winter Sowing is always on the top of my list of Garden Activities. Over the last six or seven years that I have used this technique to start perennials and wildflowers, I have written numerous blogs and articles on the subject. You can search down thru the blog to find the articles. 

            My fascination with this method of growing seeds is very simple. It is easy and yields lots and lots of new plants for my gardens.  These plants are the ones whose seeds need cold stratification to germinate, and are often ones that are expensive to buy individually. Quite honestly I had not grown plants from seeds (except for direct sowing when I first started this method) and I must say it ignited my interest in growing plants from seeds. In fact, one could probably safely say I am now beyond addicted to starting as many plants as possible from seed. 

            I think this is because there is something so magical about placing a small seed in soil and watching it develop into a plant. I would love to say it has saved me money over the years, but I am not exactly sure that is a true statement. However, it does bring me joy and tons of plants.  

            Ok, back to the reason for this Blog. I have discovered thru trial and error some important tips that  greatly improved the outcome of my Winter Sowing and Wildflower Seed Starting. So I wanted to pass these along. If anyone else has some creative ideas, I would love to hear them.

                    #1 Label, label, label.  I label with a tag inside the container using garden waterproof markers, then I also write on the outside of each jug. As a backup I take pics with my cell phone and also keep all the emptied seeds packets. Even with all of these measures sometimes I still struggle to ID the babies. 

                    #2. Last year I set the containers on wooden shelves on the back deck. The wind storms and critters were hard on the containers. Many were knocked over, and some were gotten into by various critters including birds, raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, etc. So this year I have the containers sitting inside a low tub. I have perforated drainage holes in the tubs so the winter sowing containers do not sit in water.  The wild flowers pots are covered by crates that the bulbs were shipped in from Brent and Becky's. (thanks)  They are now better protected from creatures, and the rain gets into the pots from perforations in their tops. So far so good. Much better than last year. 

                  #3. Drainage is such an issue. Perforating the containers can be difficult, as well as keeping them clear of dirt for drainage. Using a knife to make the holes has proven to be very problematic. So my husband let me use his old soldering gun. It worked perfectly. I had to be very careful of the heat,  but it worked. I was able to put adequate drainage holes in the seed containers as well as the holding containers. I 100% recommend using this sort of device verses a knife.

                #4 Please make sure you are using seeds that fit this method. No need to waste the seeds or effort.  Plus be ready for transplanting all the seedlings. They will need love and transplanting at a certain stage and you will have a boat load.

                These are the seeds I have winter sowed so far. I will not plant  anymore until the end of January. At that point I am done... just in time to begin sowing seeds inside the house under my grow lights. 

                                            WINTER SOWN SEEDS 2026        

                    Claire Orange F1 RUBECKIA (thanks NGB for the seed)

                    Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

                     SAGE  Broad Leaf 

                     Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)  

                     Solomon's Seal ( Polygonatum biflorum)

                     Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium)

                     Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea)

                     Balloon Flower ( from seeds collected from my garden)

                     Hollyhocks ( from seeds collected from my garden)   

                     Sea Holly( from seeds collected form my garden)  

                     Sedium (Spectacle Spectacular) Thanks NGB

                    Seed Mix Enhancement for a Shady Woodland ( mix from Prairie Moon Nursery)

            *I have room for more containers so I will probably add a couple more jugs before the end of January. 

            I recommend this method for anyone wanting to grow some perennials and wildflowers for mass plantings. Plus it is easy,  fun and has very little risk. So go for it!!!

  

  

                        

   

For the Love of Scented Geraniums( pelargoniums)

     Many years ago when we lived in Columbus, two of my garden buddies and myself started down a highly scented rabbit hole that has sparked my life long love or shall I say addiction to Pelargoniums. 

    Flash forward 40 years and I still love these sensual plants for so many reasons. These plants were first brought over to North American by Sailors who were rounding the southern coast of Africa. They were growing wild in this area. I am sure they aided in the odors of the ship and delighted the wives and mistresses waiting at home.  The ladies of the house would place the pots of the plants next to the door and brush their long skirts sending the intoxicating scent thru out the house. 

    Just so no one is confused...these are not your regular geraniums. In fact they are not geraniums at all but in the genus Pelargoniums.  There are about 250 species within this group. For ease I divided them in to four groups.  The Rose Scented Group, The Citrus Group, The Mint and Pungent Group, and the Fruit and Spice group.  Some are upright, some are trailing and vining and some creeping. 

    Growing these plants is very easy. I usually keep them in pots and move them outside in the summer. I have planted them in the garden and they thrive. Then I either take cuttings or attempt to move the plant in before frost as they are not winter hardy. For me it is way easier to keep them in pots. 

    They seem to prefer semi shade to sun with a lot of good air circulation. Direct sun seems to scald the leaves. However they all thrive in the greenhouse or when placed by a sunny window. All of them produce very small blossoms. But I love them and have used them in salads or candied them. I also dry the leaves and small flowers and use in potpourri. 

    I have dried the leaves and used them in many different ways. The most unique is drying the rose scented leaves and stuffing them into panty hose and hanging them in the closet. They served as a natural moth repellent. 

   By taking the rose geranium leaves and layering them in sugar you end up with a scented sugar that is great in baking. This is a baking secret from many years ago. I have also made a rose geranium jelly. 

    In the citrus group I love to take the lemon scented geraniums that are straight up stems and use them as sizzle sticks in lemonade. They also make very cool bookmarks!  But what is better than a lemon scented finger bowl to cleanse your hands. 

    I think one of the most amazing quality of these plants is the ability to make more of them. They root so easily by taking cuttings.  I have successfully taken cuttings from stem cuttings as well as just leaves. Since the plants grow very quickly and benefit from trimming, this is a win /win for both the plant and the gardener tending them. 

    One thing I strongly believe about these plants is that they need to be planted where they can be petted. My favorite, Peppermint Geranium has smooth velvety leaves that smell so strong that they can scent an entire room with just a bit of attention. I can't resist touching it every time I pass by the pot. 

     My sincere hope it that this blog might inspire you to dive into this category of plants. They are fascinating, easy to grow and very addictive!  Enjoy 

Reality of Two Failed Meadows

 

            Ok... Now I am over  four years trying to garden in this totally different area,  lower zone, new garden style and unique culture than my Kentucky Gardens  I knew the first couple years would be tough but I was and still are ready for challenges. But sometimes it is good to admit that the time has come to make some choices.

            At 72, I still am the Queen of my Gardens. However in my  Kentucky gardens, I had help at least once a week. Here that is not the case. I knew that going into this big adventure.   I came in wide eyed and bushy tailed as my Mom use to say, ready to tackle the impossible. Now, four years in  I am admitting a temporary defeat but no, let me rephrase that ... I am moving forward. I want gardens that I can enjoy and actually do the work to maintain and enjoy. 

            I think it would be good to preference this course of action, with a brief overview of the last couple months. To put a long story short, we have over $81.000 dollars worth of hail damage to all existing structures. We had a major flood and leak in the lower level, resulting in having to remove and take away many items I loved and cherished. Replacing carpet and extensive drywall repair. 

         We have had over 10 trees collapse on the driveway. So our 1/4 mile drive to our house looks like a war zone. 

          However, I am lucky so many others in our beloved Brown County have gone through much worse situations. 

           This last two weeks, it finally stopped raining and I pushed and pushed to plant and catch up. So much that I made my self sick from dehydration.  

           Today, I feel great again and have made a big decision ... to let some of my demises go for now. I am going to mow two areas where I have been struggling to make meadows. The invasive plants have become too much for me to conquer at this time, 

        Establishing meadow gardens has been one of the mossy difficult forms of gardening I have ever done. Perhaps because I did not understand the weedy invasive demons in the form of bittersweet and stilt grass and autumn olive I was going up against.  I did not properly clear the land of these enemies before trying to plant. So all I have done it throw plants, seeds and plugs into the areas to be swollen up by the  invasive devils. 

        My approach now is to mow it all down and focus on the areas where I have accomplished success.    

        There have been many and I am so proud of my native perennials. My gardens are alive and my veggies are producing and happy in their Birdies Containers.  So much to be happy with just need to eliminate the stress.  

        I need time to sit and enjoy my gardens. Listen to the birds, watch the multitude of native bees and butterflies Blog more and enjoy the very thing that brings me the most happiness....the sound of my gardens alive.  (plus the grandkids and my Maggie)

        So tomorrow two failed meadows will return to nature and I will sit on the porch and smile. And maybe sip that glass of wine.

    

             

            

Spring Blossom Vinegars

 

        It has been a really cool, stormy and difficult spring for us here in Brown County.  I have so many young starts from my winter sowing and seed sowing just begging to go out to the garden but with night temps below 50 degrees not a good idea.

        To add to the difficulties we had tennis ball size hail destroy my small green house and a totally flooded basement.  But when life gives you lemons, make Herb Vinegars. 

        In the Spring, I love to make three different blossom vinegars.  They are so beautiful and since I make all my own salad dressings they are essential and add a special tang to the dressings. 

        Here are my favorite Spring Blossoms to harvest and make into special vinegars. 

#1. Dill Seed Head Blossom Vinegar

        The Secret to making this vinegar is to snip the dill heads before they start to go to seed. That is when  the seed heads are green and the fresh young leaves are up and down the stems.  Here is the recipe I used this year.

       I only make one quart jar of each vinegar so I adapt the recipe. 

       I pack one quart jar with dill heads, dill weed, garlic (1 tablespoon chopped garlic) and 1 tablespoon mustard seed. 

      Then I bring the white vinegar just to the boiling point.  Then I pour it over the ingredients in the quart jar.  I seal it and let it sit on the counter and flip it over and over so all get incorporated 

       Then I place the jar in the cabinet, it is cool and dark and I let it brew for at least a month.

 

        After that I can out it into decorative jars, to give as gifts or to dress up my shelves. 

#2. Chive Blossom Vinegar 

 

        I love this vinegar. It is such a beautiful color and so  tasty. It adds a real zing to dressings. 

        I pick the beautiful purple blossoms and cut off the stem and gently clean them. Then I pack them into a quart jar. ( this will be about 3 cups of blossoms ) 

        I bring just to boil at least 2 cups of White Wine Vinegar or Champagne vinegar and simply put it over the blossoms. 

        Same as with the previous vinegar recipe.  But almost instantly this vinegar turns an enchanting rose  color. 

#3 Salad Burnet Blossom Vinegar 

        Again... this is such a beautiful vinegar. Light pink in color and has a very unique cucumber flavor. Just follow the same procedure as above. 

        Just be sure and pick the salad burnet blossoms as they open.  I love salad burnet(Sanguisorba officinalis). It is evergreen most of the year. The leaves taste of cucumber and no after effects!

        In the fall, I harvest many more herbs and make more different herbal vinegars. Mostly from leaves and the herbs. So stay tuned..

        

Winter Lights in the Woods... Marcesence

         

        I have roamed the property we live on for over 60 years, walking, running, riding horses and yes even trail bikes. All five of my siblings and myself, helped my grandfather, father and mother, craft the trails around the lake. We were allowed to roam free, to skip rocks in the lake, swing on hanging vines and climb trees. Consequently, this interaction with nature instilled in myself and all my family members a deep love and respect for our woods. 

        Perhaps that is why I was so taken back when I begin to notice, the leaves that were not falling off the trees in the fall. I had never noticed this before but I am betting it has been going on a very long time. It  became very clear that this was definitely a deliberate act of nature. A quick google search and voila, it is termed ,"Marcescence"

        Here is a definition that I found for this phenomenon of nature. "Marcescence is where the tree retains dead leaves on its branches, which can be a protective mechanism against harsh winter conditions."

        There appears to be three main theories why these trees participate in this seasonal practice.

#1. By keeping the dead leaves on the branches, the young emerging buds are protected from browsing herbivores such as deer. Since deer are plentiful in my neck of the woods, that could easily explain the abundance of marcesencing trees. 

#2  Another thought is that the steadfast leaves protect the buds from harsh drying winds of winter. Often they grab and trap the snow and provide  much needed moisture for the tree's winter nutrients.

#3  Lastly. many believe that the tree saves the leaves and drops them in the spring where they provide a nice compost rich in nutrients at the base of the tree. Giving this trees a head start start on emerging and growing in the spring.

    I have several theories of my own...

#1 I wonder if the tree is just trying to help and protect any little insect or creature that could be potentially nesting over overwintering in the leaves. Certainly high up on a tree is safer than the ground during the harsh winter months Then conveniently the tree drops the leaves in the spring so the emerging insect can begin their new life.

#2 The deer, turkey, foxes, coyotes, and bobcats are are so easy to spot in a naked woods. So perhaps the trees are trying to help their nature friends by providing rustling noises as the hunters and other predators as they sneak thru the woods. 

 #3 Lastly, perhaps the golden light these shimmering trees project is to help keep forest lovers, like myself happy even in the the dead of winter. I smile when I see the lone beech proudly displaying its golden leaves while all its neighboring trees branches are bare. Sometimes it is fun to be a show-off. 

    Oakes and Beeches seem to be the trees that predominantly display this curious pattern in my woods. What ever the reason, I love it and it gives me "sunshine when the skies are gray."

    Thank you Mother Nature for your wisdom, no.matter what the reason. 

        

Yucca and The Yucca Moth in Brown County Indiana

 

        The past four years of gardening here at the lake have included many hours of intense, invasive plant removal. Between the Stilt Grass, the Bittersweet, the Russian and Autumn Olive, and brambles, it has seemed like an all out war. 

        The amazing thing is, as I remove these bad guys, the native wildflowers appear like magic. It is as if they are thanking me for giving them back their land and growing space. One of the best examples has been a large patch of Trilliums that was hidden under a massive amount of brambles. 

        Just a few days a go, I was standing on the pavilion down by the lake looking out over an area that has been the site of a massive clean up. This area along the lake was so overgrown that we could hardly walk along the edge. We wanted an area for the kids to stand on the shore and skip rocks and fish as I had done as a youngster. We have a wonderful little outcropping with three very large rocks that the kids love so play on and it had been invaded by weeds. But now all that area is clean.

                                                                                            

        This was three years ago and we still have to battle the young sprouts of Autumn Olive and bittersweet every spring. Thus my plans of seeding wild flowers and bulbs in this area has not yet come to fruition. 

       However, sometimes things work out for the best and this is the case for this area. We are able to control the invasive plants and the grassy area (this is a loose term as it is mostly Ajuga, Pussy-toes, and wild grasses) allows us to pick up the luscious droppings from the prolific persimmon tree. Plus, it has provided a wonderful space for the kids to run and play by the lake. Then again as if by magic I began to   notice the  overabundance of Yucca. It always amazes me that one little change can cause you to see a whole scene differently and notice what has always been there. 

        Yucca is everywhere on this property. All amongst the trees by the lake, in the center wild flower garden, down by the property by the highway. I got on a website that stated that the only Yucca found in Indiana has been in Johnson CO., one county over.  However, in recent years it has been used more by the nursery trade for landscape plantings.

         But why is it all over this property? This question sent me in to a deep deep dive on Yucca. 

        Yucca is not a native to Indiana.Wikipedia states that Yucca is native to the Southeastern United States. But also states that it has adapted to an "equally vast range of climate and ecological conditions". Obviously it enjoys my little piece of Brown County, Indiana.

        My mind instantly was sent back to the many camping trips we took out west and in every state, except Alaska, Hawaii and North Dakota. All six kids, plus grandma Goldie, in a wood sided station wagon. They were memorable  trips to say the least. The stuff crazy movies about vacations are made from, right?  I fondly remember my father trying to pick up a Teddy Bear Cactus to bring home. Yeah, that did not go well and ended up in an emergency room run. So perhaps the Teddy Bear Cactus was not the only bit of vegetation he attempted to nap.

        Therefore that is my story and explanation as to the Yucca invasion at the Lake. I am sticking to it as I surmise that the Yucca was quite possibly snagged on one of our Stoner Family Adventures. Dad truly loved the southwest and all it's vegetation. 

        However they got here, they are thriving. Plus they look amazing growing in the brown county stone rocks along the lake and all the other areas that they seem to love. During the summer the plant sends out long stocks that reach up into the air with beautiful white blooms, which are accompanied with a very subtle scent. 

        This shrub stays evergreen during the winter and prefers full sun. It is considered a drought-tolerant plant and by some accounts, once established can live for over 20 years.  Well, I am sure more than a few of these yuccas have been here for over 20 years, since this property has been in my family for over 60 years and I was in grade school during many of our adventures out west. 

        During this deep dive, I discovered a very interesting fact of nature.  It turns out that Yucca has a mutualistic relationship with a moth. The Yucca Moth. One can not exist with our the other. Somehow they have managed to follow the Yucca and it has moved outside its range.  It is very fascinating story, and too detailed for me to try and summarize for this blog. I have attached the links to two separate articles that share information detailing this fascinating relationship. 

 YUCCA MOTHS( Tegeticula sp.)            

https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/yucca_moths.shtml        

YUCCA MOTHS 

https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Invertebrates/Yucca-Moths

        

        In the spring, I will look for this moth. and pass along any pictures. I am sure it is here as the Yucca is a mainstay in my landscape.  Thanks Dad. 

         

Pansies and Violas ....in my Heart and Seed Trays

 

        If you read my last post on instagram, you understand already my obsession with pansies. But just in case you missed it, I am going to reiterate. 

        For years, my mother and I would race to see who could find pansies first. This competition took place not only in the spring but also in the fall. After I moved from Indiana, mom would journey to Kentucky or vice versa and I would take her around to all the wealth of garden centers to locate our gems. 

        My mom lived to be 96, so in her golden ages I would just bring her pots of pansies. Each time remembering with love the numerous trips to the nurseries, literally filling the back of my jeep with out beloved flowers. She would gleefully take them to her table at lunch or pick a bunch to give to a friend or just smile and gently stroke the petals. 

        Not sure how this all got started, perhaps it was the fact that she was a Tri-Delta in college and I was a Theta, for both sororities pansies were the flower symbol. A pansies symbolizes thoughtfulness and its mini-version, violas stand for many deep emotions such as love and faithfulness. Somehow, they just seem the perfect bonding flowers to send us out each spring and fall on fun scavenger hunts. 

        Pansies do not like hot summers, however they make perfect compliments to other early spring flowers. I can stretch the growing time frame of the Violas by removing them from sunny growing spots and placing them in the shade. Often times they would surprise me by popping up in unsuspecting places. Thus successfully earning its nickname.. "Johnny-Jump Ups ". 

        For me, it is the beautiful smiling faces of the flowers, the sweet scent and the fact that I can dry the flowers heads. I am fascinated by the fact that they just shrink up to make little pansy and viola buttons.  This are great for sending in envelopes to friends and loved ones. 

        I found an anonymous quote that labeled them as "three faces under one hood". Some research states  that Violas are also called "Hearts Ease", which is just perfect for me because that is how they make me feel.

        Moving back to Indiana has caused my mind to be flooded with all these memories. I have ignited the spark within my heart to have a wealth of these beauties flooding my pots and gardens in the spring and fall.

        Consequently I am trying several different techniques to grow pansies and violas. 

#1 The pansies I had in my pots from a fall purchase were still barely hanging in there. So I have placed them in a makeshift winter greenhouse to hopefully allow them to reiamerge in the spring. (This one I fill is rather iffy.) 

#2 I have Winter Sowed several different varieties of Violas and Pansies. This method worked for me last year, but they were slow to develop. I fear that I may have waited too long to start this process. 

#3 I am also starting some seed on my seed growing station.  I read several good articles about starting pansies seedlings and I am following the advice of someone I respect and employing the technique of covering the seeds just until they germinate. Supposedly they need darkness to germinate. After all my spring seed starting is over, I will plant some seeds for the fall. 

    Lastly, I now know of several great places in close proximity to me to purchase pansies. They always have many different varieties but I an always draw to the very traditional ones that my mom and I used to seek out. 

    All this pansy and viola talk has made my "Heart at Ease."... Now  the next time I am in Atlanta, I need to get my daughter and granddaughter on board this  "Pansy Tradition Train".