WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 9 MARCH 1, 2013

Oh my, TEXOKIE, I'm so sorry! I wrote a long post in reply to your question, and I must have turned off my computer before I actually posted it....I even went through 3 pages of posts in-case I had put it on the wrong thread! LOL, it's gone! Shoot! It was a good post, too! Darn!

I'm using recycled plastic containers with slits on the bottom (for drainage). I add 2-3” of potting mix, watered well, and drained. Then I plant the seeds just like I would if I were starting seeds under lights, indoors. I put slits in the tops of the containers that had clear or frosted lids. Some had white lids, which I cut out and replaced with clear wrap which I also vented. I used one jug, and simply removed the lid. The idea is to allow moisture to get in the container, as well as drain out.

I put the containers in the raised bed for 2 reasons. 1, the dogs won't knock them over up there, and 2, I was worried the wind would blow them off my deck.

So, we are expected to trust Mother Nature now. The seeds aren't supposed to germinate until the weather tells them to. In my area, that should be some time between the middle of April and the beginning of May. I will increase the ventilation for the seedlings until they are climatized, and then I will plant them in my beds.

At least, that is the idea!

I hadn't heard of this method until I followed a link the greeneyes posted.
http://www.wintersown.org/wseo1/How_to_Winter_Sow.html

Then I found this forum at Garden Web
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/wtrsow/2002050141031613.html

Congrats on the rose buds, etc., BTW. I won't see that for another 2 months.

You nothing to apologize for. LOL! That sounds like something I’d do! Can’t tell you how many posts I’ve delivered to the gremlins in cyberspace!

Thanks for your very gracious recap of the steps and rationale of your experiment.

Glory to God for the rosebuds! I had nothing to do with it except to rejoice that the snow didn’t kill them! We shall see how they turn out. Is this a good time to feed them?

LOL! I’ve never fed ours on any regular basis, just when I have a whim, or my darlin has a whim that it might be a good idea! Somehow they continue to (mostly) stay with us.

Last year, they had black spot (I think) which is because of mildew or fungus of some kind. Ironic, since we were in the depths of drought. Wondering what I can do to make them happier.

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