2026 March 1 Winter Sowing Cost Benefit and Spring Hope
Nina laid her first egg of the season this week! Spring is coming, I swear. It’s important to acknowledge any and all signs of hope right now. I’ll take this little one.
Yesterday was sunny and there was a hint of warmth in the air. Then by evening the chilly wind made me wish I had my winter coat on. It’s March and there is fresh snow dusting the yard. Typical. It’s good for seed stratification at least.
These gallon jugs will be hundreds of plants come spring. Winter Sowing densely this way is intended for immediate transplant once seedlings develop their true leaves.
In yesterday’s sunlight I wondered if I was too late finishing up my winter native seed sowing. Then I reminded myself that I live in Ohio and winter is definitely not over yet. Then it snowed.
For future reference, here are the time, space and cost requirements for the work I did yesterday.
Time Requirements
People: 1
Time: 2 hrs including set up, clean up, and record keeping
Pace: Leisurely
Gallons planted: 12 (10 full, 4 half gallons)
Species planted: 14
Material Cost
Soil bags: 1 ($3.49)
Tape: 1 roll ($5.99)
Plastic container: 1 reusable ($9.99)
Gallon milk jugs: 14 (free)
Total: $19.47
Estimated amount of plants propagated: 200+
Space Requirements
Space: 8 square feet
Cost Benefit
Savings: $816.53
The Joy of Adding 200 Native Plants: Priceless
Prairie Moon Nursery charges $209 for 50 plugs, meaning I did around $800 of work in two hours using the locally-sourced seeds. Once they germinate this spring, I’ll break down the actual numbers of plants I grew yesterday. Give me $20 and 8 square feet and I’ll make my time worth it.
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