Winter Sowing Take 2

Last year, I tried Winter Sowing for the first time, my results were spotty to say the least. I think I have identified several reasons for this and am trying winter sowing again this year.

Here are the things I am changing:
1) Quality of soil - last year I bought the cheapest soil, which ended up having tons of weed seeds I could not tell the real plants from the weeds.
2) Amount of soil - last year I only put 1-2 inches in each container, this year the recommended 3-4
3) Labeling - the permanent marker wore off during the winter
4) Water - This year bottom water
5) Chickens! - After planting my hunk of seedling the chickens decided to rip them up. Bummer! Better protection this year.

Let's hope for some better results this year.

Sown thus far...
1) three jugs of McKana Columbine
2) Rudbeckia - Red with Maroon center *
3) Tennessee Coneflower *
4) Soapwort *
5) Hollyhock - Creme de cassi *
6) Hollyhock - Indian Spring
7) Sweet William Tall Double Mixed Colors
8) Columbine Blue Star
9) Festuca Glauca Blue
10) Poppy Double Oase
11) Oriental Poppy Mix Papaver bracteatum
12) Balsam Camellia Spotted
13) Forget-Me-Not
14) Wildflower Blend *
15) Penstemon
16) Torenia Baillonii


* Seeds from WinterSown.org

Herb: Fenugreek

I was skeptical to say the least when it came to adding Fenugreek to my diet to increase my milk supply for Inch Worm. But it really works! I was really worried about the "maple syrup flavor", because I can not stand maple syrup, but the taste is not that bad and I do not smell like maple syrup.

Because the maple syrup-like flavor is strong and not always liked,...quantities required to increase their milk supply notice that their skin exudes a distinct "maple syrup" odor.

The tea also contains anise which is another flavor I hate, but better than drinking gallons of water and getting no results other than having to pee all the time. I love the results I am seeing from this herb! Go herbs!

Wintersown Tomato Seeds

I recieved a handful of tomato seeds from Wintersown today. Lots of nice paste tomatoes and some yellow varieties. Can not wait to start planting.
Rio Fuego ~ Blocky red paste is known for high sugar content, makes great sauce, excellent for salad too, DET, 75+ DTM
Romeo Roma ~ Huge red plums, can weigh a pound or more, good cropper, nice for sauce or slicing, IND, about 75 DTM
San Marzano ~ Classic red paste, excellent for canning or sauce, IND, 80 DTM
Powers Heirloom ~ Pale yellow fruits are sweet and fruity, this paste-type is nice for sauce or salad, IND, 75+ DTM
Golden Jubilee ~ Wonderful variety grown for decades, 3" yellow-orange globes, delicious, IND, 70 DTM
Golden Dwarf Champion ~ 19th century heirloom, delicious yellow form of Pink Champion, unusual tree-like plants, DET, 70 - 80 DTM
Tigerella ~ Sunset red fruits are streaked with golden yellow, great cropper has loads of lovely salad-size tomatoes, IND, about 80 DTM
Speckled Siberian ~ Oblate Russian variety produces red fruits with gold-flecked skin, about 2 - 4 ounces each, IND, 70 - 80 DTM
Italian Flat Leaf Parsley
Squash Early Prolific Straightneck