Otsego County Master Gardener Volunteer Winter Sowing Workshop - 13 November 2023

The Otsego Master Gardener Volunteers are holding a Winter Sowing Workshop on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the Southside Mall Community Room, 5006 State Hwy 23 in Oneonta. The session will run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

There is a $5/person charge for the workshop. No previous gardening experience is needed. Space is limited; registration is required by Tuesday, December 5th by going to  https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/WinterSowing-2_243/. For more information call 607.547.2536 x228 or x235. Ample free parking is available.

Winter sowing is a method of starting seeds outdoors in winter popularized by Trudi Davidoff and is now practiced around the world. It is recognized by the USDA as, “A propagation method used throughout the winter where temperate climate seeds are sown into protective vented containers and placed outdoors to foster a naturally timed, high percentage germination of climate tolerant seedlings.”

Come sow with workshop presenters, Otsego Master Gardener Volunteers, Chris Burrington and Celia Oxley. They will cover the techniques for winter sowing including the materials needed and the various kinds of seeds that can be used, as well as the benefits of this low-cost method of germinating seeds and some of the advantages it has over indoor seed-starting requiring grow lights and the hardening-off of seedlings. In addition, participants will make a mini greenhouse in a container and sow seeds to take home. The workshop will also cover how to handle the seedlings once they germinate. Participants are asked to bring a one-gallon translucent container (milk or water jug) and scissors. We will have some seeds but feel free to bring your own.

Otsego Master Gardener Volunteers have been specially trained and certified by Cornell University Extension with a mission to provide education on a broad range of horticultural topics and practices based on university research and recommendations.  For information visit www.cceschoharie-otsego.org or call 607-547-2536.

Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. Accommodations for persons with special needs may be requested by contacting Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties prior to a program.