Hi Amna,
If the container is the same as the ones I buy strawberries in, it is a small container. I would say that there may not be enough "head room" for the seedlings as they come up. If there is another 3-4 inches of head room, then I think you would be ok. I think the containers may be too flimsy, but would probably be ok for one season. I find that some of mine crack and fall apart each year. Things that are thin like a soda pop bottle seem to break, but today one of my gallon milk jugs broke apart as I was opening it to plant out. I don't think the precut holes are too big, unless you are experiencing a real dry period, then there wouldn't be enough humidity or condensation in there. You could just place it in a thin plastic bag, like the ones they give you at WalMart. Or in a zip loc, which gives much more light. I usually put my containers in more shade than sun becoz a real intense sun can really fry the little seedlings inside the mini greenhouse.
Hope this helps. Go for it.

Amna,

I'm in MA. too. I tried winter sowing last year for the first time aand like you couldn't imagine that the seeds would grow, they did!

I used 16 ounce styrofoam cups with 4 inches of soil in them to plant all my seeds. I put the cups in a bread crate borrowed from my local super market, threw them outside and waited.

drop me an email if you would like a more detailed description of how I did it.

Lisa

Strawberry containers have way too many holes--and most also have a gap between top and bottom when the lid is closed.

They are workable if you use some clear tape and cover over at least 3/4 of the holes top and bottom and also tape the gap when you close the container.

T

I've used strawberry containers for seeds like zinnias in late spring that don't need to stay very long in the container. You do need to check the soil and make sure it's not too dry because of all the drainage holes. I imagine taping would help.

You can use coffee filters to cover the holes, just line the container with them before putting the potting mix in. I would never use a seed starting mix for winter sowing though. It should be a good quality potting MIX, not soil.

token,

The lavatera seeds you gave to me germinated. I saw 2 sprouts few minutes ago. I remember, these are annuals. Are they hardy annuals though?

Thanks!

I'm sorry, wrong place of post

Thank you so much all of you for your posts!
I am gathering that the original containers I proposed are not a good idea after all.

I have some disposable plastic cups (pretty heavy duty, not flimsy) that I used last year for transplanting my seedlings into as they were getting larger - already have drainage holes drilled. Do you think it would work to line these up in a flat and cover the top with saran wrap?

Also, as per nancy drew's warning, is it better to use the potting soil from Miracle gro rather than their seed starting mix?

Thanks for any help,
Amna

Update:
Decided to set up a little experiment.
Used miracle gro potting soil in 3 different containers (2.5" - 4").
Thoroughly moistened the soi and patted down some seeds on top (Cosmos Versailles red and Superior Purity.
Will set outside in the morning - please let me know if any adjustments might be required.

Thanks a lot,
Amna

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I was told that cosmos are tender annuals. If not, I'll start to ws mine as well.

Amna,

I use those strawberry containers all the time, been doing so for 6 years now and never had a problem with them. Holes are fine, as well and my containers always go in in direct sun as well.

Soil goes in, miracle grow, I don't fill it quite to the top, seeds go on soil. sprinkle some soil on top and press down to be sure it is good and moist. snap the cover down and out it goes. no tape no, baggies unless the containers are reused and the cover has finally broken off.

As temps warm up I sometimes need to add vent holes to the top to get more water in.

Covers come off the seedlings when the seedlings are really hitting the cover of the container. I have never worried about not enough head room with covers or with baggies on them and have never had a problem or any seedlings damaged from being a bit compressed with a cover or baggie.

My hose is out back near the containers, so if they need some moisture, water is handy when needed.

I am in MA as well, near the Nashua NH border and I don't sow my cosmos till mid April. to huge a risk of late frosts around MA that will get the tender seedlings.
Cosmos are really hardy with early frost in the fall and will continue to bloom through those early frosts, but the tender seedlings will be history for you if they are zapped by late frost now.

Picture 1 should be fine outside without the baggie. just be sure there are vent holes on the top. Don't leave the container inside the other one on the bottom. That will catch rain and could make the soil stay far too moist and soggy because the container will just sit in water.

pic #2. looks fine. just be sure there are drainage holes in the bottom of the container and you have slits in the baggie for air to circulate and rain to get in. (hopefully we have seen the last of snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice for this year)

Pic #3. looks like you used masking tape for labels. That won't last very long. it will come off when it gets wet from rain. You can cut up plastic covers from margarine, cottage cheese, sour cream, coffee, etc and use them for labels. you can use a deco paint pen to write with, that will last forever and put the tags inside the container. or use sliver foil tape as a label and write with paint pen. sharpies fade quickly when the heat and sun get on it.
Be sure the containers have drainage holes in them, air holes in the top and when you put them outside, don't pile them on top of each other. Each one needs to have it's cover exposed to the elements completely.

Some pics of my containers I have been using for 6 years A mix of those blue containers mushrooms come in, strawberry containers, take out containers, cottage cheese containers.
I use anything that is at least 3-4 inches deep, but do not use gallon water jugs. I just find them far too awkward to use and I don't use tonic bottles either. We rarely drink any and the bottle return leaves no one with any to get them from.

Fran

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Thanks for that post Fran - wow!!
Anyway, just wanted to say the cosmos went out and have been sitting out. So far so good. Let's see when/if they germinate - not holding my breath.
v1rtu0s1ty, I guess by the time they germinate, we will hopefully not be getting too much frost (I'm going to have to eat my words). I guess it will be an experiment - apparently seeds are supposed to know when to germinate?:-)
Did you put yours out?

amna, there's an old saying, if you ever have cosmos, you will always have cosmos. Those things reseed like crazy. So expect to be planting out cosmos this spring.