SEEDS, SEEDS, AND MORE SEEDS.... I AM READY TO START SOWING

 

                One would think that since I have been gardening for so so many years starting plants from seed would have been just part of the plan.  However, that is not the case. It has only been in the last 8 years or so that I have become addicted, well let's just say obsessed, with seed starting.

              My former home in Kentucky had so many beautiful nurseries all around me. I was also immersed in an amazing community of Gardeners, as part of the Shelby County Master Gardening Program. We had a free flowing sharing of wonderful plants. 

             While still in Kentucky, I did start Winter Sowing. That was my first introduction to starting some perennials and wildflowers from seed. It was, and continues to be, one of my favorite ways to start certain seeds.  

            In addition, I have always direct sowed some flowers such as Poppies, Larkspur, Alyssum, Marigolds, Zinnias, and some herbs. I just never realized the wide wonderful world of starting veggies, plants, flowers and herbs from seed until I moved up North. 

           Then quite frankly, my garden community was then gone.  

            But I had a small greenhouse and a solarium. plus a house full of windows and light. Although my lush gardens were gone but I had a lot more time, but a lot more natural predators (both animal and plants) to deal with on these acres of land. 

            However, foremost I had the original outline of my mother's gardens. Just a few plants left (mainly mint everywhere). But the gardens represented her spirit and that I could work with and develop. Plus thousands of daffodils planted surrounding the house.

            Since that first year of struggling, I have definitely turned the page. I joined several gardening groups, such as Garden Comm. I love listening to podcasts about gardening, like The Gardenangelist, Joe The Gardener, A Way to Garden, Gardeners Question Time, Epic Gardening and many more. I listen to many webinars and seminars on a variety of garden, nature, and pollination topics. This is my new community and I love it. 

            I have also learned to pick my battles and tackle small areas at a time. Natives, sturdy wildflowers, pollinator friendly shrubs, grasses and perennials seem to be able to withstand the ever ending attacks of deer, raccoons and invasive plants. But I still have been able to sneak in some David Austin and heirloom roses. Of course, I keep planting as many bulbs as possible each year. 

            Most all my veggies are grown in raised beds and seem to do ok. Arches made out of hog fence panels bend over the  gardening space and confuse the deer and allow me space to safely plant herbs and more vulnerable flowers. My gardens might not be a landscaper's showcase but they certainly are a pollinator's, and this gardener"s paradise. 

        AND...most of these I start from seeds. For me it is so rewarding seeing the small seedlings emerge and develop into beautiful specimens During the dark days of winter there is not a better way to spend the days then reading the endless parade of seed and plant catalogs that appear in the mail. Plus on-line, there is so much valuable information from Nurseries to garden groups. 

        I find the process fascinating  to receive the seed packets in the mail, and sending time organizing and studying the packet information. I am always thrilled to receive the seeds from the National Garden Bureau, many All-American-Selections. In addition to many other seed companies.

        So the time has come. I am starting to sow the seeds in pots under grow lights, in the greenhouse and some early spring veggies outside. 

        Excited for the 2026 growing season to begin!

        

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