Late fall or early winter seed sowing can be vital for vigorous spring plants. Pre-seeding prepares for spring harvest like Mother Nature. This simple strategy may help your plants grow and ensure high-quality produce. But first, what sorts of seeds can survive that? They should be resistant to frost and cold if planted in the ground.
Seeds of many different vegetables and herbs, such as celery, turnips, onions, spinach, broccoli, and many others, can be planted in the fall. This could also be an excellent method to start planting Perennials such as Rhubarb, Artichokes, and herbs like Sage and Lemon Balm.
Choosing a location, making preparations, and planting seeds are the only remaining processes.
Pick a location
To begin, find the ideal spot in your yard for pre-seeding. Plenty of sunshine is required, which can be challenging given how frequently the sun moves over the sky. Therefore, preparation is essential. Water that pools can ruin seeds, so choose a spot with good drainage.
Prepare the Plot
After deciding on a location, the following step is to get the garden bed ready. Get rid of any plants or debris that could harbor vermin. It’s also important that the compost you use is high-quality and fully decomposed.
Time to Plant
Lastly comes the actual planting of the seeds. It is recommended that this step be taken when the air temperature has dropped below freezing but before the onset of a typical deep freeze. The seeds should be planted directly according to the seed’s planting instructions and watered as needed without drowning the soil. After that, cover the soil with 2-3 inches of mulch to keep it moist in case of a warm spell in the winter.
However, as with any procedure, unforeseen obstacles can halt your seeds’ development. Things like rot and weather may fall under this category. Unpredictable weather, such as a mild winter that encourages decay, is possible. Seeds can also go dormant due to repeated cycles of freezing and thawing. Also, stagnant water in your garden might cause rot, but you can avoid this problem by placing the container in the right spot.
Pre-seeding preparations are easy to carry out and can lead to a greater harvest with less effort. For this reason, giving it a shot may be a good idea.