Winter Sowing: Start Seeds Outdoors in Mini Greenhouses

Celeste Longacre

Ever tried sowing seeds outside in the dead of winter? My friend Jackie Caserta told me about this method, and it sounded easy enough to try.

It's an experiment, but Trudi Davidoff, who pioneered the technique, claims these plants end up hardier and healthier than indoor starts. The key is using cold-hardy varieties—I chose lettuce, broccoli, and Swiss chard.

The concept: sow seeds in DIY mini-greenhouses made from recyclables, then place them outside.

Start with takeout containers—the kind with clear plastic lids from Chinese or Thai restaurants.

Cut drainage holes in the bottoms and ventilation holes in the tops.

Label the bottoms with your seed choices.

Fill ⅔ full with quality potting soil. Plant your seeds.

Cover seeds with ⅛ inch of soil.

Water well, secure the lids (tape if needed), and place outside on a picnic table or in the garden.