Winter sowing of seeds is one of the top three topics that bring folks to this blog. (The other top two are northern gardening — no surprise — and growing tomatoes.) Many Minnesota gardeners use the winter sowing method to start perennials from seed, but more and more are using a style of winter sowing to start vegetables, too.

In the January/February issue of Northern Gardener, photographer, Master Gardener and winter-sowing expert, Michelle Mero Riedel explained how she uses mini-greenhouses to start most of her vegetables. The method is not exactly the same one used to grow perennials — you can’t put your tomato seeds out in a mini-greenhouse in the middle of winter. But, it is an easier way to start vegetables and make sure they are hardened off and ready for the garden as soon as possible.

Michelle will be teaching about this method this coming Saturday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m. at the Bachman’s store on Lyndale Avenue. She’ll have lots of pictures to show and step-by-step instructions. In addition to Michelle’s talk, you can check out the Winter Market, a special event put on by the same folks who operate the Kingsfield Farmers’ Market in Minneapolis. The market includes local cheeses, meats, prepared foods, canned goods and crafts. Don’t miss this fun and educational event.