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Caps/Lids on 2 Liter bottles and milk jugs?

15 years ago

When I was reading about winter sowing over the summer, I though that I read to puncture holes in the top of containers(in addition to the bottom) or leave the lids off the 2 liter bottles of milk jugs. Some of the postings I have seen on this forum make it sound like you don't take the lids off until after germination. I have already thrown all these lids out as I have been accumulating containers...Will I have to wait until later in the winter/early spring to set containers out? Also, do you wait on other containers to puncture holes in the top until after germination?

I am really hoping I have just misunderstood some of these other postings and that leaving the lids off in the winter for ventilation is fine, but I would like to know the best way so I can keep my lids for next winter if needed.

I am in zone 5a, so it can get very cold here.

Thanks

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Comments (4)

trudi_d
15 years ago
Remove and throw away all caps for jugs and bottles. Never EVER use them.
token28001
15 years ago
I keep a few two liter caps to lift my indoor potted plants off the floor. I don't use any when winter sowing.
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mnwsgal
15 years ago
The terms caps and lids can be confusing. The screw on or pushed on cap should be taken off. This is the part that closes the neck of the container. When one cuts the jug or 2L the top half is often called the top or lid. This is not taken off until after germination.

I do not cut holes in my top/lid. The neck opening allows enough air circulation and collection of rain/snow that other holes are not necessary.
I do lift the tops/lids a small amount at first or completely remove them in the spring when I know the sprouts will survive in the open.

Some people add holes to their tops/lids for germination rather than lifting the top part way.

Do which ever you want or try some of each to see what works for you.

If you have a flat, such as lasagna pans, various salad containers, bowls w lids, other flats that you cover with plastic, there is no neck opening, then you need to add holes in the lid/top to allow rain/snow to enter and for ventilation when you sow your seeds.
nostalgicfarm
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you all so much. I was probably mistaking the post of someone wanting to remove the lid of the milk jug(meaning the top section) to mean the colored cap. Here I have my pantry floor overflowing with containers to try wintersowing this year, and I was starting to wonder how many people I would need to collect caps for me :(
I am glad I posted and that all these people who already think I am strange would really wonder how desperate I am to need screw on caps from their 2 litre bottles!!!
I will likely have to keep the top section of my containers off until closer to being put in the ground as our south end (ha ha, sounds funny here) is exposed to a mile of wind. Not many windbreaks out here in corn country;)

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