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Anyone used white milk jugs? Plastic coffee 'cans'?

15 years ago

I grabbed a bottle of milk at a minimart the other day & just noticed that the bottle is white plastic instead of the usual clear. Has anyone used these for winter sowing? It's only one bottle, so it wouldn't be such a big deal to send it directly to recycling, but hmmmmm...another container to use? Yum!! I also have several plastic coffee "cans" with the snap on lid. I'm thinking about cutting the center of the lid out & cover it with plastic wrap. Has anyone tried this?

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Comments (6)

ramazz
15 years ago
As long as light can get in through the top, it doesn't matter what color the bottom is. I use other containers all the time.

Becky
just1morehosta
15 years ago
I used folgers in a red plastic container,worked for me.
cAROL
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Try filling them up right to the top with hot water, THEN put in a couple of drops or so of bleach and cap them so they're completely full to the rim. Give them a gentle shake (I just turn mine gently upside down a time or two) to distribute bleach (and then let them sit for a day or two. WATCH OUT FOR THAT BLEACH, esp. if the cap snaps on and doesn't screw on !!! :) I've not used this method for WSing but for using jugs to hold water for my plants and it seems to work. Just gotta let it sit a while so bleach it can permeate the plastic and get rid of the sour smell.
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A warm welcome to the Winter Sowing Forum. Have you had a chance to review the FAQs on this site? I believe the link below will answer your question in depth, as well as a lot of questions you didn't you had. Yes you need ventilation. Also take a look at wintersowing.org. You will find both education and free seeds there. You will also find free seeds in the Exchange section of this forum. Once you had a chance to review the FAQs, stop back by with all the questions you can think of. This is a warm and helpful group. Welcome aboard. Seedmama Here is a link that might be useful: Winter Sowing FAQs
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Well, I have had some pretty good results using the milk jugs also. One thing I didn't do was put drainage holes in them. I only water them enough to moisten the soil just enough. I think my past bad experiences have stemmed from over watering. Because there was drain holes, I thought I was safe. This seems to be working pretty good. I can see the moisture in the soil through the jug and know when enough is enough. I am watering sparingly. I can also see when it's time to water. I used a professional potting mix ( organic Miracle Grow) with some vermiculite. I also did the shoebox method, but only lightly covered it in plastic wrap. I basically just laid it over it and tucked it slightly. That's been working good too. I so far have rooted hibiscus, two varieties of salvia guarantica, a bunch of Cuphea's including candy corn. a few confetti lantana and some phygelius. Very little moldy die off and I crammed them in there! One lantana cutting is all that died. I did use rooting powder. I think part of my success this time was due to taking the cuttings at the right time. The middle to end of summer has been good.
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I have a gallon glass jug with a plastic screw on lid with a handle and no spigot - but I looked on the www and couldn't find any similar ones except the spigoted ones. I use mine for hummingbird sugar water and when it's full I always have the fear that the lid will fall off or the handle will break... so if I post that I've broken my foot you'll know how it happened! lol I hope somebody can find one for you!
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bakemom_gw
15 years ago
Slap some saran wrap over the top and tape it down. Rubber bands will crumble in the cold. Punch some holes in the plastic wrap and you are fine. It's just a little ackward and you may have some tops blow away, but it works.
User
15 years ago
I'm using both sizes of the Folgers red plastic coffee containers. First year trying but they are holding up to the weather in phase one. I cut out the center of the cover to make a ring and use it to secure a single sheet of heavy weight freezer bag plastic with several holes cut into it. The plastic hasn't caved or even budged under the weight of rain or snow.
So far so good - will see how they do with sprouts and seedlings. They are certainly deep enough.
docmom_gw
15 years ago
Recently, the Folgers canisters have come with a ready-made clear plastic top. They've been tucking sample packs of Dunkin' Donuts brand under that lid. It would work perfectly. I like to save those for collecting compostables in the kitchen, because they keep the odor completely contained. But they would work great for WS.

Martha
canyonwind
15 years ago
First year wintersowing...those plastic coffee containers are working great for me....lots of sprouting!

A Q...has anyone ever used the metal coffee containers?????

I must say, I have read all your brilliant advise the last few months re: wintersowing and so appreciate your knowlege. WS really works!! And so much fun! LOL!!

Thanks!

Annie

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