Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - It will be months before we’re digging our spring gardens, but it’s not too early to think about what to plant. The Middlesex Centre Pollinator Team is hosting an event January 11th, titled “Learn to Winter Sow Native Plants.”
“Winter sowing is a way to grow plants from seed. Our group does this with native plant species but you can do it with any seed too like veggies or annuals, our focus is native species,” says Pat Fowler with the Pollinator Team. “Most native species require cold moist stratification, and planting in containers in winter is a great way to ensure they get the proper stratification and mimics what happens when seeds naturally fall in your garden,” adds Fowler.
Putting the seeds out in containers in winter enables them to go through their early life cycle and allows for germination in a natural setting. “Containers can be clear plastic like spinach containers and you just need to add holes both top and bottom with either a soldering iron or punching holes with a knife about a quarter inch round to allow water to enter and also drain. The containers need to be kept moist and also allow light to get in,” says Fowler.
The containers should be allowed to experience all the elements. “Typically, you would start your containers on the winter solstice, but we have winter sown up to mid-February with excellent results. Winter sowing is an important step as it gives the seeds their natural environment to grow and it also can be a great activity for kids as they can get satisfaction in seeing the growth of the plants and give them a sense of helping to create something to help the environment,” says Fowler.
The Middlesex Centre Pollinator Team is holding a workshop on Saturday January 11th from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Komoka Library to let people seed their own containers. Children are welcome to join. “We have spots for 10 families to come and they will receive a container, soil and seed at no cost to them. We also have a handout to share and will show all the tools needed and hope people will be inspired to do even more winter sowing in future,” says Fowler.
