i did it! my 1st 15 jugs for winter sowing!

18 years ago

i did it i feel so proud LOL! i have to admit it was fun. and i cant wait to see them growing. but i got a little wait. o' well a girl can dream. i plan on doing 15-20 more jugs. tell me how many jugs ,bottles, etc.. that you all have done this year. i heard one person tell me that they did 700 jugs last year WOW!

having fun in michigan

jessica

firefly

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

shimla
18 years ago
hahaha - 15 jugs already - you're in for big trouble - it's only the beginning of December you know!! I betcha do 15-20 milk jugs per week now that you're addicted :) LOL!!!

Congrats on your jugs!!! Watcha got growing?

I haven't started yet but I plan on doing a bunch again this year. Just waiting for some free time... I have a couple hundred "must haves" on my list. No matter how hard I try to keep the list down, it just doesn't happen. I did over 600 my first year I was having so much fun. All that anticipation on top of cold, snowy days, it's sure hard to stop!
flowerchildky
18 years ago
good for you Jessica! sounds like you are 'off and running'-

this will be my 5th year for w/s- I love it! I have so many wonderful plants and am always finding new ones I think I must have- LOL

I do about 100-150 containers each year- I always say I am going to cut back, but then I find something I just HAVE to have :))

I have a couple of pics in the gallery of my w/s set up-I use mostly the plastic Solo cups and margarine tubs-

Some I am looking forward to this season are:
poppy Lauren's grape
purple majesty millet
holly hocks- Rhett in Red and Cranberry Ice
some new autumn colors rudbeckia
petunias
oh, so many wonderful seeds!
I am going to do a few veggies this season-
basil
peppers
tomatoes

so glad to hear you are having fun!
keep up the good work,
best wishes,
Linda in Louisville
Related Discussions
Sowed Grass Nov. 1st.
Q
Comments (4)
If you reread my post, you'll see that I said he's probably too late for a successful fall overseeding and probably too early for a successful dormant seeding. I'm not saying it won't work, I'm just saying that it's not the best time. For a successful fall seeding, he would have had better results if he seeded about 6 weeks ago. For a successful dormant seeding, it would be better to wait a few weeks. The problem with seeding now is that it might be warm enough for the seeds to start to germinate, but then not get established before winter. With cool season grasses, the problem that comes from this is not that the cold weather will kill the grass directly, but the freeze/thaw cycles cause the soil to heave and this can uproot the new seedlings because the roots are so shallow. The problem with dormant seeding too early is that since seeds start to germinate, they are not able to germinate in the spring. Mother nature has been seeding in the fall for centuries, but generally much earlier (when the seeds fall out of the seed heads at the end of summer). This year, I'm doing both a fall seeding (August 30) and a dormant seeding. We've had one snowstorm with measurable snowfall and another with mixed rain and snow, but I'm planning to wait a little longer before dropping my seed to make sure it's too cold for germination.
...See More
Winter Sowing in Flats (ran out of milk jugs)
Q
Comments (11)
I've done wintersowing using foil roasting pans as "flats". Not the big turkey roasters, but smaller (about four inches deep, maybe 18 x 12 inches, and they come with a clear cover). I got about 4 or 5 seasons out of them, with care. Might be a cheaper alternative than the "official" nursery-supply flats. Also, if you have a freecycle group near you, post an ad for milk jugs. I had several people in my community supply me with jugs a few years running. And don't be shy about taking a walk on recycling night! Just bring a length of rope or twine with you and gather milk jugs as you walk! :) Dee
...See More
Winter Sowing in Milk Jugs
Q
Comments (2)
From what I've learned, you should cut the jugs at the middle point so that you have enough room for at least four inches of soil and then lots of space above the soil for the seedlings to get lots of warmth from the greenhousing. I don't think you need worry too much about precision on this. It's likely easiest to cut below the handle, though some people leave the handle bit in tact and don't sever the two parts. I've left the lids on and will take them off when I begin the hardening off of my plants. As long as there are air holes in your jugs, you needn't worry about it. I've got lots of bunnies in my yard, and none of them seems interested in my jugs and flats. Good luck!
...See More
Winter sowing is more than milk jugs AND overwintering lisianthus
Q
Comments (3)
cindip63 I once wintersowed lisianthus years ago. It successfully germinated, but I didn't have great success growing it. I believe my season is too short and with wintersowing the seeds germinated too late for my season, so I didn't get a lot of blooms before the season ended. If I ever started seeds indoors I would do lisianthus this way to get more of a jump on the season. Not sure where you are but just letting you know my experience. Good luck! Such a beautiful flower, lisianthus. :) Dee
...See More
seedbandito
18 years ago
I just planted the 25th one yesterday! I've got way too many I'd like to do. So far I did:

Scarlet bugler
Texas Bluebonnets
Red Lupine
Lupine mix
Black Cohosh
Chaste Tree
Skullcap
Meadowrue
Redneck lupine
Echinacea Tennesseensis
Prairie Sun Rudbeckia
Tower Pink Columbine
William Guinness Coumbine
Sweet autumn Clematis
Monkshood
Lysimachia punctata
Blue stocking monarda
Black Barlow Columbine
Cleome lutea- yellow bee plant
Knautia macedonia
Dicentra eximia
Red & White Columbine
Lupine, Gallery mix
Painted tongue Royal Choc.
Lupine Band of Nobles

That's not even a "smidgen" of the stuff I've been collecting. If I get my way, the whole place will be covered in milk jugs and pop bottles!!! I just love this!!

Nancy
CandyD
18 years ago
I also am trying my hand at this, but I am doing one jug a day. Such hard decisions which one to put out :) I have labeled them well (hopefully which will stay), and the first one I put out this year was Poppies for my husband. He has been such a big supporter of my learning of new things, and he just loves the gardens. I wonder if he will be supportive when I ask him to get the tiller out this springs for new beds!
Good luck, and have fun!
ccoupkir
18 years ago
Hi Jessica and congrats on your 1st wsed containers. I have 312 + items on my list for this year. Needless to say I will be doing a bunch of HOS! (see FAQs). This year, however, I am limiting myself to 10 -12 containers on the days I ws and keeping it in the garage! 3+ months of mess in my kitchen was just too much! I learned so much last year it was just incredible! Cut yourself some slack and enjoy it, take lots of notes as they will help you next year! Good Luck!

Related Stories

DISASTER PREP & RECOVERY Remodeling After Water Damage: Tips From a Homeowner Who Did It

By Judith Taylor Designs

Learn the crucial steps and coping mechanisms that can help when flooding strikes your home

Full Story

EDIBLE GARDENS Houzz Call: What Did You Grow This Summer?

By Annie Thornton

Let’s celebrate the homegrown fruits and vegetables of the season. Post your pictures and tell us about your harvest

Full Story

VALENTINE’S DAY Tell Us: Why Did You Fall in Love With Your House?

By Vanessa Brunner

What was it about your house that made your heart flutter? Share your photo, and it could make the Houzz homepage

Full Story

LIFE Share Your Winter Storm Jonas Photos and Survival Tips!

By Becky Harris

Let’s see your pictures and hear your ideas on how you’re keeping your house warm and staving off cabin fever

Full Story

124

GARDENING GUIDES Garden Myths to Debunk as You Dig This Fall and Rest Over Winter

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Termites hate wood mulch, don’t amend soil for trees, avoid gravel in planters — and more nuggets of garden wisdom

Full Story

121

LIFE Hard Winter? 9 Ways to Battle Cabin Fever

By Becky Harris

We know a lot of you are trapped where it just won’t stop snowing. Here are some ways to survive

Full Story

184

By Annie Thornton

Share pictures of your home and garden in winter — whatever your climate, architecture and plantings

Full Story

216

HOUSEPLANTS How to Force Amaryllis Bulbs Indoors

By creative jewish mom.com

Enjoy vibrant red blossoms even as gardens turn snowy white, by teaching this hardy repeat performer to ignore the calendar

Full Story

ARCHITECTURE 15 Smart Design Choices for Cold Climates

By Laura Gaskill

Keep your home safe and comfortable in winter by choosing the right home features and systems

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Kumquats for a Juiced-Up Winter

By Steve Asbell

Grow it for the edible fruit or its good looks alone. This citrus cousin will brighten any gray winter day

Full Story

i did it! my 1st 15 jugs for winter sowing!

Comments (5)

shimla

flowerchildky

Related Discussions

seedbandito

CandyD

ccoupkir

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US