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Spring Sowing in milk jugs-Lid on or off?

10 years ago

Last week I Spring sowed 10 milk jugs of Nicotiana, Zinnia, Verbena, Cosmos, Morning Glory's & Cup & Saucer Vines, Love Lies Bleeding & Poached Egg Flower. Our frost date in actually into June now.

It was cool the week they went out facing East so I left the tops on. Now I am getting confused about whether to leave the tops of the milk jugs on and just add extra vents or should I remove them completely?

Comments (4)

ellenr22 - NJ - Zone 6b/7a
10 years ago
I leave the tops on until they sprout, bec. leaving them covered and warm, they should sprout sooner.
Once you have sprouts - it depends on what you have - for example zinnia is tender, frost will kill it. So I open them during the day when the temps rise, and cover them at nite or when the temp dips toward or below the frost line.

you could alternatively increase the number of vents. More sprouts die from being cooked than being frozen. I don't know what temps are in yr zone now, but temps inside the little 'greenhouse' can be 20 degrees higher than outside.
tepelus
10 years ago
Tops on to keep rain from splashing out the seeds, keeps out the critters, helps keep the soil moist, but put them in the shade so they don't cook. Once they sprout then the tops can come off and the containers can be set out in the sun.

Karen
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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.
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If the containers are frozen they might look dry but not be dry. The moisture will be released as the container thaws. If the containers are not frozen and look dry, no condensation, then they will need to be watered. For me, bottom watering works the best and the bigger the container used for water the more jugs/2Ls will fit inside and less time it will take. I tried using my misting setting on the water wand but found that the jugs weren't adequately watered. And it took a long time when I had lots of jugs. Bottom watering took less time and attention as one can do other things while the containers are soaking in the water. A kitty litter pan wlll hold about 6 jugs. I use an al. 12 qt. tub as that is what I had in my garage. I like the idea of a kiddie pool like Trudi uses and have been watching the curbs on g day for one. Also using a timer and sprinkler as Trudi suggests should work well. Though I haven't looked into this option because I have no outside electrical plugs and assume that one needs electricity to make that work. Once the tops are completely off or open I use a watering wand on shower at low pressure. That low pressure thing is very important as don't want to blast the seeds/seedlings.
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Newbie here - when do I open up the milk jugs to 'harden off'?
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Comments (4)
Since they have been growing outside all along, they do not need the traditional "hardening off". Just be sure to shade newly planted sprouts from sun as you would any newly transplanted plant. When to remove the tops? Depends...if the weather is hot enough to worry about them getting fried the tops need to be removed or more holes have to be cut in them to make for more air flow. Otherwise there is no hurry. They can stay in the covered container until you plant them out or until they get large enough that they are outgrowing the container. Once it looks as if most of the seeds have germinated I remove the tops as soon as possible to make watering easier in the spring. Sometimes I need to replace the tops or cover them with something if there is frost expected. If you are concerned about the sprouts drying out leave the tops on until they have gotten their true leaves or they are larger.
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hardening off in milk jugs
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Comments (9)
All I do is remove the top...period. No cutting bigger holes, ect. As long as I know (either by research or experience) that this or that can handle light frosts then the covers come off and stay off. I surely wouldn't do that to frost tender seedlings like tomatoes or marigold. Within 5 days after my cool season stuff were all sprouted (broccoli, mustard, arugula, collard, peas) the tops came off and have stayed off. The Flowering Kale never had covers at all....I just sowed the pony packs and set them out and they've all come up and are doing great. I treat perennials the same. Of course I'm talking when temps are at least consistantly 27+ overnight. I don't think I'd risk it much colder than that. BTW mine are in a SW location start to end. Vera
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northforker
10 years ago
Also realize that if you take the tops off, you will have to watch them closer because they dry out quicker. I, too, always struggle with this decision. This year, because it has been so cool, most tops are still on. But in other years, I've fried seedlings because what looked like a cool day when I left for work in the morning turned into a warm day in the end....

Bottom line - -weigh the pros and cons for your temps/lifestyle (do you have time to take tops on and off? water?)
purplehouseWY
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. I peeked this morning and the Peppermint Zinnia's are starting to sprout...Ithought the Cosmo's would be first...weird. I wonder if I should have barely covered them with soil instead of just pressing them into the soil?

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