Thanks for the pics fanfan. Just went to look at them.
How interesting. So let me see if I understand the process you are following... you are putting your seedlings into small soil cups and covering with slitted saran wrap and placing in a raised bed?
Once they sprout, then is your plan to take them out of the little cups and plant in the holes the cups were living in?
How cool if that works!
I ordered some non-gmo seeds this weeks. I went outside for a walk and examined the rose bushes and blackberry bushes which had started budding before the recent snow storm slammed us. I had been concerned that the buds would die off. I was tickled that the buds seem happy. The rose bush buds are actually leafing out.
Well, you transplant them according to how much room the particular veggie needs, so more than just those holes will be used most likely.
I'm using recycled plastic containers with slits on the bottom (for drainage). I add 2-3” of potting mix, watered well, and drained. Then I plant the seeds just like I would if I were starting seeds under lights, indoors. I put slits in the tops of the containers that had clear or frosted lids. Some had white lids, which I cut out and replaced with clear wrap which I also vented. I used one jug, and simply removed the lid. The idea is to allow moisture to get in the container, as well as drain out.
I put the containers in the raised bed for 2 reasons. 1, the dogs won't knock them over up there, and 2, I was worried the wind would blow them off my deck.
So, we are expected to trust Mother Nature now. The seeds aren't supposed to germinate until the weather tells them to. In my area, that should be some time between the middle of April and the beginning of May. I will increase the ventilation for the seedlings until they are climatized, and then I will plant them in my beds.
At least, that is the idea!
I hadn't heard of this method until I followed a link the greeneyes posted.
http://www.wintersown.org/wseo1/How_to_Winter_Sow.html
Then I found this forum at Garden Web
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/wtrsow/2002050141031613.html
Congrats on the rose buds, etc., BTW. I won't see that for another 2 months.