How to Winter Sow Echinacea Seeds (Easy Step-by-Step Guide)

Feel Free to Share!

Hey garden friends, today we are going to winter sow echinacea seeds. My echinaceas were eaten by gophers last year, so it is time to sow many more to enjoy in this coming summer!

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking a link I may make a small commission at no cost to you.

Winter Sowing Echinacea Seeds

Echinacea (coneflowers) are wonderful candidates for winter sowing. These hardy perennials can handle cold temperatures, and their seeds often benefit from the natural cold, moist conditions winter provides.

Now, you may have heard that echinacea seeds must go through cold stratification to germinate, but that isn’t always true. I’ve successfully grown echinacea from seed without any cold treatment at all. However, some seeds do germinate more readily after a period of cold, moist conditions, and winter sowing lets nature take care of that for you.

One of the things I love about winter sowing echinacea is how well the young plants adapt to changing spring weather.

As temperatures warm, the seeds begin to sprout. And if a cold spell rolls through, as it often does here in the mountains of Northern California, established seedlings can usually tolerate a little frost. Their growth may slow down during chilly weather, but they pick right back up when things warm again.

Of course, very young seedlings still need some protection from severe freezes, but that’s part of the beauty of winter sowing in containers. You can easily move them to a more sheltered spot if necessary.

It’s a simple, inexpensive way to grow more beautiful coneflowers without grow lights, heating mats, or taking up valuable space indoors.

Echinacea Winter Sowing Containers

One of the best things about winter sowing is that you don’t need any fancy equipment. You can reuse containers you already have around the house, making this an inexpensive way to start lots of new plants.

Milk jugs are probably the most popular choice, but they’re certainly not your only option. I’ve also used other clear plastic containers, and large clear-sided storage tubs are another great way to winter sow several pots of seeds at once.

The important thing is to choose containers that let in plenty of light, provide drainage, and allow for some ventilation.

I have an entire post dedicated to different containers you can use for winter sowing, so be sure to check that out if you want more ideas.

How to Prepare Your Winter Sowing Containers

Before adding your potting mix and seeds, take a few minutes to prepare your containers.

1. Clean your containers. Give previously used containers a good washing to remove dirt and debris. If you want to sanitize them, you can use a properly diluted bleach solution, followed by a thorough rinse. This is optional, but especially useful if the containers previously held diseased plants.
2. Add drainage holes. This is important! You don’t want your echinacea seeds sitting in soggy soil all winter. For milk jugs, make several holes in the bottom so excess water can escape. If you’re using a large storage tub with individual pots inside, make sure water cannot collect around the pots.
3. Cut an opening. For milk jugs, cut around three sides, leaving a section attached to act as a hinge. This makes it easy to open the jug for sowing, watering, and checking on your seedlings. Leave the cap off for ventilation and to allow rain or snow to enter.
4. Label everything. Trust me, you may think you’ll remember what’s planted where, but by spring it’s easy to forget! I use a durable paint pen to write the plant name on the container. I also like to put a label inside, just in case the writing on the outside fades.

That’s it! Your containers are ready for potting mix and echinacea seeds.

Winter sowing containers can vary, and I have an entire post dedicated to that HERE!

Sowing Echinacea Seeds:

• Fill the jugs with about 3 to 4 inches of potting soil. I typically use potting soil instead of seed starting mix and I tell you why in this POST.
  
• If needed, moisten the potting soil by placing the jug or winter sowing container into a tub or tray of water to absorb for half an hour. This is typically enough time for it to thoroughly moisten the potting soil. Use lukewarm water for faster absorption.
  
• Space the seeds about an inch apart in each jug, ensuring they have enough room to grow. This is especially helpful if you don’t plan on potting the seedlings up into individual pots but intend to leave them in the winter sowing containers until time to plant in the garden.

• Cover the seeds with a quarter-inch layer of soil. Firm in place by pressing down with your hand or sometimes I use the handle of a tool. Don’t press too hard, just firm them in gently.
  
• Tape the container closed. Duct tape has proven to be the most durable for me. In the video at the end, I show just how I do it.

Caring for the Containers:

• Place the jugs in a spot where they won’t be blown over by strong winds but can still capture rain. Some put them into crates and I sometimes put them within a raised bed to corral them.
• Once the temperatures warm up towards spring, (above 65°F), move them to a spot with afternoon shade to prevent the seedlings from cooking. Some folks will open the containers during the day and then close them again at night but that is too much work for me. I like easy!

Watering

When needed, some will water by spraying down through the top of the container but there are so many negatives about that approach. Like dislodging the seedlings or disturbing the roots. To safely water…

• Fill a tray or tub with water and set the jug or container into it for 30 minutes, it will absorb more than enough to keep the soil moist.
• Let drain and replace it where you had it growing. I take the tray or tub of water to the containers out in the garden and do it there rather than taking each container to the tub of water.

Additional Tips:

• If you’re using clear jugs instead of translucent, keep a closer eye on them as the weather becomes sunnier. They are more vulnerable to sunburn.
• Another great way to get a head start on growing echinacea is to direct Sow Them in Fall!

So what did we learn today?

Winter sowing is a fantastic method to start your echinacea plants early, especially if you are short on seed starting space indoors. It’s cost-effective, eco-friendly, and a great way to get a head start on the growing season.

Remember to monitor the weather and adjust the placement of your jugs accordingly. Happy gardening, and here’s to a bountiful season ahead!

Note to Readers: While not required, Coneflower seeds can benefit from a special 8 to 12-week treatment called cold moist stratification prior to planting them. That is why winter sowing or direct sowing them in Fall is such a great way to grow Echinacea from seed!

If you are not familiar with winter sowing, then please do hop on over to my post and video all about it, you will love how easy it is!

Happy Winter Sowing Friends!

Feel Free to Share!