Winter Sowing Questions & Answers (FAQs)

Over the years I’ve gotten tons of winter sowing questions. I see many of the same ones come through, so I decided to put together an FAQ (frequently asked questions) post to answer the most common ones.

Before digging into the FAQs, I wanted to give you a list of resources where you might find the answer to your most burning winter sowing questions (if you can’t find it in this post).

If you’re brand new, or aren’t familiar with this technique, then start by reading my quick-start guide to winter sowing. There you learn all about it, and how to get started.

Here are more articles that address many other common winter sowing questions…

• When To Start – If you’re wondering about the timing: when to start, if it’s too late to start, or when to stop, then read When To Start Winter Sowing Your Seeds.

• What Types Of Containers To Use – If you’d like to learn more about all the different materials you can use to make the mini greenhouses, then read Winter Sowing Containers: What Works & What Doesn’t.

• Which Seeds Work Best – If you’re unsure about which types of seeds will work, or you’d like a list of seeds to get you started, then read How To Choose The Best Seeds For Winter Sowing

• What Type Of Soil To Use – If you’re wondering which kind of soil to use (and what ones to avoid), then read all about Choosing The Best Soil For Winter Sowing.

Frequently Asked Winter Sowing Questions & Answers

Here is a quick list of all of the winter sowing questions you’ll find answers to below. Click on a specific one to jump right to the answer, or scroll down to read through all of the FAQs…

• Can I put my mini greenhouses in my porch instead of outside for the winter?
• How many seeds should I plant in each container?
• Will my seeds germinate in cold weather?
• Won’t the constant freezing and thawing through the winter harm my seeds?
• Can I winter sow seeds in Dixie cups, toilet paper rolls, or egg cartons?
• What should I do with my containers if it snows?
• Do I need to protect the containers from harsh cold if we don’t have snow to insulate them?
• We have a big problem with squirrels and raccoons, will they bother my containers?
• How do I water the containers?
• Should I be worried the mini greenhouses are getting too hot in the spring?
• Some of my seeds have germinated, but others have not, should I be worried?
• My seedlings are getting tall. Should I take the tops off or leave them on?
• What should I do with the seedlings if it’s going to freeze?

Winter sown seedlings ready to transplant into the garden

Can I put my mini greenhouses in my porch instead of outside for the winter?

If the porch is screened in, they should be fine for the winter. But if the porch has windows, be careful of premature sprouting because of the greenhouse effect.

Also, since the containers won’t be outside, you will have to check on them, and water more often to make sure they don’t dry out. You may also have to take an extra step to harden them off if it’s really warm in the porch.

How many seeds should I plant in each container?

You don’t want the seeds to be planted too close together, because that will make it more difficult to separate the seedlings. But you don’t have to worry too much about spacing, since they won’t stay in the containers for too long.

As a general rule, I usually try to space my seeds about an inch apart. I give a little less space for small seeds, and I give the larger ones a bit more room. Sometimes I plant them closer together if I have a few left over. For tiny seeds, I just sprinkle them over the top of the dirt.

Planting seeds in a winter sowing container

Will my seeds germinate in cold weather?

No. As long as it stays below freezing, your seeds will not germinate. It sounds funny, but they are programmed to know when it’s safe to start growing.

Won’t the constant freezing and thawing through the winter harm my seeds?

As long as you use the correct type of seed, then no. Winter sown seeds are going through the same treatment as the seeds that have sown themselves naturally in the ground.

In fact, some seeds even benefit from the freezing and thawing. It breaks down their hard outer shells, so we don’t have to worry about nicking them. And many of them even need the cold in order to grow.

Can I winter sow seeds in Dixie cups, toilet paper rolls, or egg cartons?

In case you’re not familiar, the idea is that the paper will make it easier to separate the seedlings in the spring. And that they will work as plantable pots that decompose in the garden.

I have experimented with this before, and found it didn’t work very well. The paper wicks water away from the soil, and dries it out very quickly.

Also, mold can grow on the paper, which is not ideal. Plus, the paper was so brittle by spring, it disintegrated and did not make it easier for me to separate the seedlings.

You could certainly try it to see how well it works for you. Just keep a close eye on the soil moisture level. If wicking becomes a problem, either remove the paper that’s sticking out, or cover it with more soil.

Dixie cups

What should I do with my containers if it snows?

Nothing, let them get covered by snow. Don’t worry, it’s all part of the process, and it’s not going to crush the mini greenhouses or harm your seeds.

It’s nice because, as the snow melts, it will seep into the containers, keeping the soil moist. In the spring after the snow melts off my containers, I go out there once and a while and toss more snow on top. That makes it super easy to water them.

Do I need to protect the containers from harsh cold if we don’t have snow to insulate them?

Nope. Put them out there in the freezing cold… and forget about them until spring. That’s the beauty of winter sowing!

Winter sowing containers covered in snow

We have a big problem with squirrels and raccoons, will they bother my containers?

We have squirrels and raccoons too, and I’ve never had a problem with them getting into my containers. If you’re too nervous to winter sow because of this, try putting out a few test containers, and see if any critter bother them.

I would think that since they are closed up tight, the critters will leave them alone. You could always leave the lids on your containers until you’re ready to plant the seedlings into the ground.

How do I water the containers?

If the containers are flat on top, you can just throw snow over them, or pour water onto the lids. This way, the water will trickle in through the vent holes.

For milk jugs, or similar containers, you can tilt them and slowly pour water into the top so it will trickle down the inside. If you pour water directly into the jug, you can displace the seeds or small seedlings.

If the lids are easy to remove, you can open them and water them like you would any other seedlings. But, this can be a big chore when you have lots of containers.

Winter sown seeds germinating in containers

Should I be worried the mini greenhouses are getting too hot in the spring?

Yes. In my experience, this can be a problem. Those mini greenhouses can get pretty hot inside, and the seeds/seedlings could bake if you leave them in the full sun.

So, once it starts getting warm in the spring, you should protect them from the intense afternoon sun. You don’t want them to be in the shade all day, morning and/or evening sun are ideal.

Put your containers under a tree or shrub, or next to a fence, shed, or the house… anything that can provide some shade in the afternoon. If a full sun location is your only option, then either add more holes in the top of the container, or open the lids to vent them.

Some of my seeds have germinated, but others have not, should I be worried?

Don’t worry, all of your seeds will not germinate at the same time. This is totally normal! Every type of seed is different, and some take longer to grow than others.

Germination rates will also likely vary from year to year. If it’s a warm spring they will germinate faster. If it’s cold, it will take longer. My best advice here is to be patient, and give it time.

Seeds growing in winter sown containers

My seedlings are getting tall. Should I take the tops off or leave them on?

You can leave the tops on as long as you want, or take them off whenever you want. Some people leave the lids on until the day they plant the seedlings into the garden.

I take the lids off when the seedlings are outgrowing their containers. Sometimes I’ll take them off on a sunny day if I feel like it (which is not required), then I put the lids back on at night.

There are a few things to keep in mind once you remove the lids. If the seedlings are small, you should protect them from heavy rain.

Also, once the lids are off, the soil will dry out much quicker. So you’ll need to check on them at least once a day, and keep them well watered.

What should I do with the seedlings if it’s going to freeze?

Cold hardy winter sown seedlings can tolerate freezing temperatures, and shouldn’t need to be protected. Just keep the lids on your containers overnight, and they will be fine.

It’s the warm weather plants (the ones that can’t tolerate frost) that you’ll need to worry about. So you might want to give those seedlings a little extra protection to be safe. Put the lids on the containers, and then cover them with a blanket. Or you could move them into the garage or a shed if that’s easier.

Last year I had all my lids off, and everything was growing great. Then one night in May, they were predicting a late freeze (ugh!). I couldn’t put the lids back on because my seedlings were too tall, so I covered them with a blanket (and prayed!).

Sure enough, the blanket was covered with frost the next morning. But, even without their lids, my seedlings were just fine under the blanket. Whew!

Closed winter sowing containers in the spring

Hopefully this post answered all of your winter sowing questions. If not, you can go ahead and ask away in the comments below. Otherwise, click through the links to the articles at both the top and bottom on this page to find more information.

If you want to learn everything there is to know about winter sowing, then my Winter Sowing eBook would be perfect for you! It has all the details and steps you need in order to be a successful winter sower. Download your copy today!

Otherwise, if you want to learn all the different methods in order to grow any type of seed you want, then you should take in my Seed Starting Course! It’s a comprehensive, self-paced online course, and it’s lots fun too! Enroll and get started today!

More Winter Sowing Posts

• How To Prepare Containers For Winter Sowing
• Tips For Winter Sowing During A Mild Winter
• How To Clean Winter Sowing Containers For Reuse

Do you have any burning winter sowing questions? Go ahead and ask them in the comments below.