Winter Seed Sowing - LGCR

To kick-off our gardening year, Horticulture Chair Cheryl introduced members to the Art and Science of winter seed sowing, or as she put it, "This is all a big, fun science experiment!!"

Members met in small groups and Cheryl led us through the process of preparing milk jugs by cutting them open and piercing holes in the bottom for drainage. We then filled the base section of the jug with pre-moistened potting, added seeds our our choice (one type of plant per jug), and then taped up the jugs. There were winter sowing suitable seed options to delight everyone from celery and herbs through to poppies and sweet peas. Also provided were New England Aster seeds. The New England Aster is listed as one of the herbaceous plants suggested for the optional Plant Exchange at this year's Shirley Meneice Horticulture Conference, so we hope to have some success with growing these.

We took our 'goodies' home and tucked them sheltered spots in our yards where they will be left to experience all the highs and lows of our Zone 7. This means temperatures ranging from 20F through to 70F - as Cheryl said, "our seeds are already on a giant temperature rollercoaster ride. Fingers crossed!"