Winter sowing - Ask Extension
I'm hearing a lot about winter sowing. Will it work in Central Oregon? How early can I start it?
Knowledgebase
Winter sowing #923923
Asked January 26, 2026, 10:05 AM EST
I'm hearing a lot about winter sowing. Will it work in Central Oregon? How early can I start it?
Deschutes County Oregon
Expert Response
Greetings,
So we can best assist. Can you please confirm what you are wanting to sow?
So we can best assist. Can you please confirm what you are wanting to sow?
I have seeds for vegetables-
lettuce, broccoli, carrot, radish, snow peas and small pumpkins
I have seeds for perennials-
daisy, blanket flower, flax, echinacea, penstimen, dwarf lupine, aster and sweet pea
Thank you,
Ruth Clark
Hi Ruth:
You can certainly use the winter sowing techniques mentioned in the attached article. The main concern would be our dry winters, so you may have to water by hand more frequently than in other areas of the country.
All The Dirt On Winter Sowing
Because we have such a short growing season, you will want to time your starts with the appropriate soil temperature for transplanting. The bulletin below provides you with all you need to know for growing vegetables successfully in Central Oregon. The same concepts would apply for flower seeds.
Growing Vegetables in Central Oregon
Thank you for your question,
You can certainly use the winter sowing techniques mentioned in the attached article. The main concern would be our dry winters, so you may have to water by hand more frequently than in other areas of the country.
All The Dirt On Winter Sowing
Because we have such a short growing season, you will want to time your starts with the appropriate soil temperature for transplanting. The bulletin below provides you with all you need to know for growing vegetables successfully in Central Oregon. The same concepts would apply for flower seeds.
Growing Vegetables in Central Oregon
Thank you for your question,
