Has anyone started seeds in plastic jugs out side?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jan 14, 2023 7:06 pm

Don't have a green house right now. So, has anyone started seeds in plastic jugs out side? I have not but was thinking of taking 20lb cat litter jugs cutting bottoms off and sink in the ground so when time to uncover plant is already growing in the ground. Can remove lid when heat builds.

Will put one or two thermometers in a couple. Any feed back appreciated. I will be starting seeds in the house too!

Let me add, have been growing 50+ years, this jug thing is new to me. Have 2 grow light for indoors. Thank you all for suggestions. Have a great growing season!!

Rod · Post by **Rod** » Sat Jan 14, 2023 7:07 pm

Yes they will be fine. Burying is not necessary or thermometer Check out the Facebook group "winter sowers". Lots of great info.

Maggie · Post by **Maggie** » Sat Jan 14, 2023 7:07 pm

Milk jugs work well too--they act as mini greenhouses that can be left on for a few weeks after sprouts come up to protect from wicked spring temps/rain/wind/hungry rodents, but still allow light for growing.

Yolanda · Post by **Yolanda** » Sat Jan 14, 2023 7:07 pm

I start a lot of my flowers in jugs. In the spring, I open them durning the day for a few hours and close them back at night. Doing them in jugs (lid off and holes drilled for draiange) allow any snow that builds and melts or any rain that gets in, to find a way out.

Judy · Post by **Judy** » Sat Jan 14, 2023 7:08 pm

I don’t yet have a greenhouse either, just a small hoop house. I belong to another group, Winter Sowing with Sheryl Mann. It is a wealth of info on how to grow in plastic jugs as mini greenhouses. I did it last year and it worked great!

Jen · Post by **Jen** » Sat Jan 14, 2023 7:08 pm

Been wintersowing for years. Great solution if you don't have the space or equipment for growing seedlings inside. Plus it gives me an excuse to play in the dirt when it's the middle of winter.

Debi · Post by **Debi** » Sat Jan 14, 2023 7:08 pm

We tried Winter sowing 2 years ago, but our wintera in Kansas dont get cold enough, at least that is why I think it was a fail for us, we did 52 milk jugs and had about 5 do anything.. some people have amazing results, but seem to get a lot of snow. We got a coffee shop to save their milk jugs and we picked up daily

Rufus · Post by **Rufus** » Sat Jan 14, 2023 7:08 pm

For me, the winter sowing method works best with seeds that need cold stratification and a long germination time (not veggies). I do find it somewhat convenient for native seeds of shrubs and things, because (1) it's outside of your house, leaving one's limited grow-light space for the all-important spring seed germination project, and (2) while in a container outside it keeps pest away from it, such as squirrels who might dig up your seeds or rabbits that would eat your newly sprouted plants.

Last year I successfully used winter sowing to germinate Beautiberry shrubs, Rose of Sharon shrubs, balloon flowers, hummingbird mint flowers (agastache), and liriope. This year I'm trying some Eastern Redcedar trees.