Seed sowing in December ?

Hi all, are there any seeds I can be planting now in December ?

Gazania

 

What sort are you thinking about Gazania - indoors or outdoors? You can plant anything indoors now and they will germinate and start growing. But its after germination that the problem starts. It will be too cold to put them outside. And if they are left inside in the warm they won't have enough light and will grow very weak and leggy. This is why people like Christopher Lloyd say that he never started to sow seeds till 1st March.

However there are some things. You can sow Allium seed, such as A. christophii, in a pot cover with a pane of glass to keep the rubbish out, and leave outside. The frost is exactly what they need, and they will start to grow in about February. However they do take several years to grow to flowering size. This way is much more sucessful than sowing in March - as they need the cold period first.

When you think about it, there are probably many hardy perennials you can grow this way. Because this is nature's way. But they won't germinate until the season is right, which could be many weeks yet.

 

I've not tried it myself, but apparently you sow echinacea any time now, in seed trays covered in clingfilm, with a few breathing holes pierced in. Again they wont do anything until spring, but apparently the constant freezing and thawing over winter is what they need to soften the outer case enough for the seed to germinate.

 

There's quite an evangelical winter-sowing movement in America (where else?). They are a bit nutty about it, even trying tomatoes and stuff in the freezing continental climate.

Our climate is different, being milder and wetter. But even so, some seeds are worth a try, especially hardy perennials. I have to admit, any results I've had from winter-sowing have not been great, but then, I don't get brilliant germination at any time.

How to Winter Sow Seeds Outdoors

Winter Sowing - GardenWeb


I really like to sow a few things after Christmas, just to pretend that Spring's just around the corner. Sweet peas are always a good bet, just keep the slugs off them. This year, I think I'll put the trays in the greenhouse. Still cold, but with controlled moisture.

Peter S's advice about the perils of early indoor sowing is spot on, but what do people do about those seeds, such as peppers, that everyone says should be started off in February? I struggle with the same problems even then.

 

Thanks for the replies. I did sow sweet peas well before xmas last year in the green house. A couple of panes of glass missing so not such a 'warm' greenhouse, more a great big cold frame ! By the time it came to plant them out they were big. All through the summer and well into autumn they were massive and were constantly providing nice big blooms for the house.
And yes, indoor sowing will be a no no !

Gazania