Do I Put Lids On My Containers Or Not???

14 years ago

I did winter sowing last year for the first time and I used 2-liter soda bottles with air vents and drainage holes. I left the lids on during the winter and removed them when the weather got warmer. My seeds sprouted and did very well.

I'm thinking of using plastic milk carton jugs this year but I'm seeing instructions that say to throw the lids away and put the jugs out in the winter weather without lids.

Now I'm confused. I thought the lids were supposed to be removed after the weather breaks. Which is the correct way to do winter sowing during the cold months . . . with lids or without lids?

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Comments (7)

kqcrna
14 years ago
No screw-on caps.
{{gwi:357369}}

Karen
mnwsgal
14 years ago
Confusion comes from some people referring to the caps as lids. The screw on caps are thrown away. The lid people remove as weather warms is the top part of the container after it is cut.

For milk jugs that is the part that is cut either partly and left with a hinge and then taped shut or the bag that is placed over the window, or the U flap that is raised or lowered.

For 2L that is the top part that is cut and shoved into the bottom half. Throw those caps away. On some of my 2Ls I make venting cuts at the bottom of the top part, upside down vee, and lift the lid a little as venting is needed. Others I haven't made any cuts and haven't needed to add any venting other than the original neck hole.

For cups and other containers with their own covering, that is the lid or the plastic bag, or plastic covering, etc.

Hope this helps.
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tazebell
14 years ago
just me - I keep pondering the same question. I doubt I am too far from you and I did the same thing last year (my first as well) and just left the lids on during this nastiness we call winter. Well, take that back. I didn't get mine out for much snow last year, I was a "late bloomer" myself but it seemed to work very well.

Maybe I will try an experiment with a couple of jugs holding the same type seed, one with lid (cap) one without.
mnwsgal
14 years ago
The purpose of removing the cap is to let in snow and rain as well as ventilation. If you put venting holes in your container it won't matter if you leave the cap on, just makes extra work for you.
ponderinstuff
Original Author
14 years ago
I'm the original poster so I guess I should have said caps instead of lids. I did leave the screw-on caps on my 2-liter soda bottles last year and they did fine. I just had to watch to see if there was always a little condensation inside the bottles.

So, if I did the 2-liter bottles again (or the milk jugs), I just throw away the caps and leave the containers open? Don't they dry out faster that way? Do I add water if they seem to get dry?
ramazz
14 years ago
There should be an opening to let rain/snow in, as well as fresh air. If you cut holes somewhere else in the bottle, then the cap doesn't matter as much, but if there are no holes, the opening at the top of the bottle is the vent, to allow moisture and fresh air in. You have to have an opening somewhere, so why not remove the cap - it's the easiest way. If there is no hole, then the only way for moisture to get in is for you to water the containers.

Becky
mnwsgal
14 years ago
Some people use the terms caps/lids for either one or both. Most people refer to caps as the screw on that we throw away and lid as the top part of the container. It helps if we use common terminology.

Yes, throw the caps away and leave the neck hole open on 2Ls.

Yes, the 2Ls might dry out quicker but there is less chance of the temperature inside the 2L getting too hot and frying the seeds or seedlings. Also, if it rains or snows the 2Ls will get watered and may need less watering from you.

That said, I say read what other people suggest and then do what works for you. That's one of the great things about winter sowing, it is adaptable to many different variations.