Winter sowing has completely changed how I grow flowers from seed — but I didn’t get it right the first time. In this video, I’m sharing the winter sowing mistakes I’ve made over the years, what went wrong, and the small adjustments that made a big difference in my Zone 6b garden.
We’ll cover:
• Starting too early
• Drainage hole mistakes
• Overlooking ventilation
• Labeling issues (and how I fixed them)
• When and how often to check containers
• Matching the seed to the method
Most winter sowing mistakes aren’t dramatic failures — they’re small setup details that affect results. Once I adjusted those details, my seedlings became stronger and more reliable year after year.
If you’re winter sowing this season, this will help you avoid frustration and grow with more confidence.
I also have dedicated videos on winter sowing and indoor seed starting if you’d like to explore each method more deeply:
Videos:
What is winter sowing https://youtu.be/QiJSLKpy27s
What NOT To Winter Sow (Save Your Time & Seeds) https://youtu.be/EHKxNMZ2ej8
Favorite flowers to winter sow that practically grow themselves https://youtu.be/zo0s3qZac5g
If you prefer to read and see photos:https://stacyling.com/best-flowers-to-winter-sow/
https://stacyling.com/how-to-winter-sow-seeds-outdoors-in-9-easy-steps/
🌸 Want to go deeper into flower gardening?
I’ve written two books for gardeners who love flowers but don’t want it to feel overwhelming.
📖 Low-Maintenance Flower Gardening for Beginners — this one shares the exact approach I use in my own garden. Choosing the right plants, working with your climate, creating something beautiful without constant upkeep.
👉 https://urlgeni.us/amzn/stacylingbook
📋 The Flower Garden Planner — for taking all those ideas and actually putting them into practice. Planning beds, tracking bloom times, staying organized season after season.
👉 https://urlgeni.us/amzn/stacylingbook2
If you enjoy how I talk through things here on YouTube, both books go much deeper and walk you through the process step by step.
🌸 The blog is where I slow things down and go into more detail. Read it here: https://stacyling.com
🌸Are you ready to get your bloom on? Shop Bricks ’n Blooms Merch here: https://stacyling.com/store/
🌸Check out my favorite gardening supplies here: https://urlgeni.us/amazon/shopforgardensupplies
—MY LINKS—
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Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/stacyling
Email: bricksnblooms@gmail.com
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—ADDRESS—
Stacy Ling
Bricks ‘n Blooms, LLC
PO Box 206,
Chester, New Jersey 07930
—DISCLOSURE—
Disclosure: I may make a small commission off of items purchased through affiliate links at no additional charge to you. You are not obligated to purchase from any of the links provided. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you so much for helping to support my channel!
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11 Comments
I did the same thing with just making slits in the bottoms of my containers thinking they would drain and went out in spring and they were drowning . Thanks for the reminder not to do that again I had forgotten till you mentioned it.
We have 13 jugs outside winter sowing. We brought them in after they germinate because of danger of frost. I guess we should have left them outside.😢 Hopefully they will be o.k. We have started 29 flats of flower seeds inside. It's such an exciting time. Happy gardening!!😊
If you use a ptouch label maker, your name labels will not fade, no matter what exposure they get
I am so in tune with your mental/psychological approach to gardening; this video as well as the one where you talk about using all three methods of seed sowing are strategies I have adopted after I completely burned out on massive dahlia beds, continual building of new beds, and dealing with the challenges of immense deer pressure that lead me to just give up. The focus on output was exhausting. We are supposed to get joy from gardening, right? Thank you for sharing not only your many years of experience, but also your own feelings on the process of gardening.
Hi Stacy, Thank you for sharing your mistakes so we don't make the same mistakes!!! Cheers, Albert
Thanks, Stacy. After 2 more snowfalls this week, I’m just waiting for spring. Thinking you got a lot more snow too.
Winter sowing is drastically different in Texas zone 8b. If I don’t plant in early January, I won’t get cold stratification. February has been very warm with no freezing temps in sight. I also have to water regularly. We rarely ever get snow. I set the jugs in a tub of water and let them soak it up from the bottom. I currently have about 30 jugs with excellent germination. I LOVE this sport! 😂
Hi Stacy, How about Seed Blocking? Have your used this method? Best, Albert
Here in 9b N. FL the first time ai wibt3r down I didn't put holes in the bottom they did great. The next year I put holds in the bottom they dried out. We live and learn. Great information!
I always appreciate finding channels that garden in cold areas! I love seeing those Florida and other southern gardens but I also need to see people with super short growing seasons like me.
thank you, what if it's going to rain for 5 days straight, should I bring them in or under porch?