Thanks for the advise. I just saw tiny b. buttons sprouts today after this warm spell. Thought the soil look rather dry, but still had condensation droplets on baggies. Decided to water tomorrow - now I will wait. Bet I would have drowned them.

........speaking of overwatering.

Ahem.

I don't have sprouts yet, but I realized about 1/2 way through Wsing that I didn't provide enough holes & slits in the jugs in the beginning. I rectified the situtation with the remaining jugs, but that doesn't help the first ones.

Right now they are frozen to the earth and covered with so much snow you can't see their blow holes, but this weekend we are due for a huge rainstorm. Ok, I can cover them with a tarp -- the place looks like he77 anyway, so a big blue tarp won't make a bit of difference, but next week I need to add holes to those jugs!

What is the easiest & fastest way to get more drainage holes in the bottom of jugs that are already planted?
They are not close to an electrical outlet, but I could run an extension cord out there. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Lime

Stick a knife thru the bottom side, right near the ground. Twist the knife if necessary to expand the hole.

Karen

My allium that I kept moist and warm for 4 weeks in vermiculate has sprouts. I transplated the skinny stalks to their own paper cups with a hole on the bottom, uncovered, and placed it near a window. I'm misting it every day and keeping the vermiculate moist. Is this what I should do?

if you use a soldering iron indoors, I noticed they do take a little while to cool off. Last year, I had to put a few more holes in some jugs and I just unplugged the s. iron and took it outside with me.
Linda

I watered a little last night because things looked dry. It was 71 here yesterday. I just lightly misted them. I hope I didn't kill them.

I suspect the next few weeks are the most challenging. In fact I woke up in the middle of the night last night thinking about it and worrying. Especially with fluctuating temps. Yesterday it was 71, today 60, but it was 29 last night.

I was going to sow the half hardy annuals (like petunia's) but think I'll wait 2 more weeks till things become more consistent.

deborah - you and I are experiencing the same weather fluctuations - it was very warm yesterday but today, no sun and 59 - which I consider nice but not warm.

I also misted my seedlings and I have always had good luck doing that - a nice misting doesn't do any harm - but overwatering, as webkat mentioned, can. It was windy yesterday and in the 70s and some of my smaller containers dried out. I couldn't do without my mister.

Carrie

Oh, my! I couldn't find the thread where I posted my question to get all your answers. I have been up and down and all over the forum looking for it. That will teach me not to start a new thread and cobble on to someone else's!

Both the knife and the soldering iron ideas are wonderful - holes to the side so I don't have to pick up each jug. YAY!And thanks! And no, I didn't know it took a while for soldering irons to cool off - that's good to know. We've had above freezing temperatures all week, but I guess 18" of snow takes a while to melt...the jugs in question are still invisible under the snow.

My fear is we'll get a big rain gusher, all the snow will melt, but the soil in the jugs will be frozen, with 4-inches of water on top of it, and not draining out.

I noticed that people south of Indianapolis all caution about containers drying out, but people in Ohio, Mich, IL, KY and now MO all caution about too much water. I think it's very interesting. Also inetresting to see spring has (nearly) sprung in GA, NC and VA. Seems so early, but that calendar will be flipping over to March next Thursday!!!!

I just have to remember, "In like a Lion and Out like a Lamb." from Mrs. Rogers in 3rd grade LOL! (Nothing like Mr. Rogers, believe me!)

Thanks ladies!
Lime

Another bad reason to keep you soil constantly moist when your seeds sprout is fungus gnats!

They are relatively harmless to mature plants, but the larvae LOVE baby roots...so tender and yummy. The larvae can not survive in dry soil, so it is always a good idea to let the soil dry out for a bit when there are true leaves on your babies.

I should add that you don't want to leave them dry so long that the soil cakes and hardens and you start seeing stress in the little plants.

Thought I should bring this subject back to the forefront since we have a lot of "first sprouts" at this time....