Winter Sowing Desk: what to sow in milk jugs and when, by zone
Sow seeds in milk jugs outdoors in winter and let the weather do the work. Perennials that need cold go first, about 20 to 10 weeks before last spring frost. Hardy flowers and cool-season crops follow. Tomatoes and other tender crops go last, about 6 to 3 weeks before last frost. Pick your zone in the desk for dates, a jug plan, and a checklist. Saved on your device. No account needed.
Free winter sowing planner. Pick your zone to get milk-jug sow dates counted back from last spring frost for perennials that need cold, hardy flowers, cool-season vegetables, and tomatoes.
Sow order
- Perennials and natives that need cold: sow 20 to 10 weeks before last frost. Examples: coneflower, black-eyed Susan, columbine, lupine, milkweed, lavender.
- Hardy annual flowers and self-sowers: sow 14 to 8 weeks before last frost. Examples: poppy, bachelor's button, larkspur, snapdragon, sweet pea, hollyhock, pansy, dianthus.
- Cool-season vegetables and herbs: sow 10 to 4 weeks before last frost. Examples: lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, cabbage, onion, leek, parsley, chives, dill, cilantro.
- Tender flowers and warm-season crops: sow 6 to 3 weeks before last frost. Examples: tomato, pepper, basil, marigold, zinnia, cosmos.
Do not start jugs before December. A warm spell in fall can sprout seed too early.
Winter sowing dates by zone
| Zone | Typical last frost | Perennials and natives that need cold | Hardy annual flowers and self-sowers | Cool-season vegetables and herbs | Tender flowers and warm-season crops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 20 | Dec 31 to Mar 11 | Feb 11 to Mar 25 | Mar 11 to Apr 22 | Apr 8 to Apr 29 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Dec 21 to Mar 1 | Feb 1 to Mar 15 | Mar 1 to Apr 12 | Mar 29 to Apr 19 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Dec 11 to Feb 19 | Jan 22 to Mar 5 | Feb 19 to Apr 2 | Mar 19 to Apr 9 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 20 | Dec 1 to Feb 9 | Jan 12 to Feb 23 | Feb 9 to Mar 23 | Mar 9 to Mar 30 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 10 | Dec 1 to Jan 30 | Jan 2 to Feb 13 | Jan 30 to Mar 13 | Feb 27 to Mar 20 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 25 | Dec 1 to Jan 14 | Dec 17 to Jan 28 | Jan 14 to Feb 25 | Feb 11 to Mar 4 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 25 | Dec 1 to Dec 17 | Dec 1 to Dec 31 | Dec 17 to Jan 28 | Jan 14 to Feb 4 |
Dates count back from typical zone last frost dates. Set your own last frost in My Garden for dates that match your yard. Zone 10 and warmer rarely freeze, so stratify perennial seed in the fridge and direct sow cool crops instead.
Do not winter sow these
- Squash, pumpkin, cucumber, melon, watermelon, beans, corn, okra: fast, frost-tender, and they dislike transplanting. Direct sow after last frost.
- Carrot, parsnip, radish: root crops fork or stall when moved. Direct sow.
- Peas: direct sow as soon as the soil can be worked.
Guides
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