Garden: Which Flowers To Sow In Winter?
It is commonly thought that the beginning of the year is not a good time for gardening. But this is not true! Even during the winter period, gardeners have plenty to do and can start preparing for the blooms of the following months. We invite you to discover which flowers to sow in the garden during winter.
Why do sowing in winter?
Even if the weather conditions don't seem initially favorable, it is possible to sow biennial flowers in winter.
A biennial flower refers to a plant that completes its life cycle over two years. In the first year, it primarily develops roots, stems, leaves, and only a few flowers. It is not until the second year that it blooms profusely, produces seeds, and dies.
In practice, if you sow biennials in winter, you will enjoy their flowering the following year, in spring or summer.
Which biennial flowers should be sown in winter?
Several biennial flower species can be sown in winter, under cover or even in the open ground if the climate is mild enough.
Particularly, you can sow species of the Viola genus, such as the garden pansy and the wild violet, and flowers from the poppy family like the Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule).
You can also sow columbine, poet's carnation, purple foxglove, hollyhock (Alcea rosea), snapdragon, forget-me-not, and honesty (Lunaria annua).
Note: Among the flowering plants that need to germinate in warmth between 19°C and 25°C, impatiens, geraniums, and petunias are also worth mentioning for their vibrant colors.
How to sow seeds in winter?
Depending on the climate of your region, you can start your seedlings under cover or consider direct seeding in the ground. However, in winter, it is generally better to sow flowers in pots. This method allows you to start the seeds indoors and in the warmth.
It helps gardeners better control the development of the seedlings before transferring them outside, into a greenhouse or under a cold frame. The use of a small greenhouse has the advantage of protecting the seeds and seedlings from the voracity of birds and snails.
In practice, you need pots and seedling compost. You can also sow in polystyrene trays because this material retains heat well and protects the young plants from the cold.
Remember to always moisten the compost before planting the seeds. Simply place the seeds on the surface of the substrate and press down to make them adhere to the soil, before covering them with fine compost. Choose a bright location so that your pots can benefit from the sunlight in winter.
In the following weeks, you will need to water precisely, as the substrate should remain moist but not too wet. Preferably use rainwater and be careful not to overwater as excess water could cause the roots to rot. It is recommended to use a mister or a watering can with a very fine rose to avoid displacing the seeds.
Is it possible to sow directly into the ground in winter?
It was theoretically possible to sow biennial flowers directly into the ground during the winter months, but only in areas where the climate is extremely mild. Even if you live in a region where orange trees grow, always plan for cold protection such as frost cloths or plastic bells. These precautions will be very useful if temperatures suddenly drop or if heavy rain or hail is forecasted for your area.
Among the flowers to sow at the beginning of the year, some species like sweet peas or poppies are sown directly in place, as they do not tolerate transplanting well.
