New to WS here -- a few questions

carmen_grower_2007

16 years ago

I am so excited about trying this and am saving containers. One question though is: People are talking about having to water the containers often and the way I understand this, they shouldn't need to be watered. I must be missing something.

I thought that you put them in (for example): a plastic milk jug. After cutting part way down to allow adding soil and planting, the jug is then taped back up and the top is left off. Also, I realize I have to drill drainage holes. BUT --- it would seem that it would be a terrarium type situation and the container would create its own moisture. Why would it need to be watered much or at all?

Also, do they need to sit on the ground or can they be up on a patio table so they don't get covered up with snow?

I so appreciate all of your information and can't wait to get started!

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Comments (4)

highalttransplant
16 years ago
Hi Carmen, and welcome to winter sowing! I am excited to answer your questions, because I was asking the same questions last year. It is true that during the winter months the containers will have enough moisture, but in the spring when the temperatures heat up, the containers will dry out, especially if they are in full sun. This year I think I will move my containers in the spring to a more shady location, so that I will have to water less often. They can be up on a patio table if you'd like, but if your area is windy that may not be the best location. The snow won't hurt the containers if they haven't germinated yet, and even if they have they will probably be fine. The only seedlings that were affected by the cold, were the ones that had grown so large that the leaves were touching the side of the plastic containers. They had some "freezer burn", but the ones toward the middle of the containers were fine. I hope this information helps some.

It's nice to see lots of newbies anxious to get started. It's making me want to start sowing now, LOL.

Bonnie
stage_rat
16 years ago
Hi:

I think your questions are something we have all wondered, and Bonnie answered really well. I found that I didn't have to water my containers at all until about planting-out time. Mine weren't in full sun, and I don't live in a dry area, so I didn't have to water very often.

Someone commented that people in zone 6 and warmer seem to need shade and water for their jugs more than people in zone 5 and colder, but of course if your area is arid that makes a difference.

You should change your profile so we know your state, too, as sometimes it helps us with an answer! :)
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naturenut_ohio
16 years ago
Hi Carmen, I normally dont have to water till after I cut the bottles open cause the plants are getting to big. I have them in sun most of the day but we normally get rains in the spring too so that helps.. I use a table, I put all my bottles real close together then tape the outter ones together, they dont budge in high winds.. I just like to be able to stand and look in my bottles for new babies..lol
limequilla
16 years ago
I noticed the same things as stage_rat...it depends on where the wintersower lives. I didn't water mine at all until after the tops came off, but I am in Indiana, and we get plenty of winter & spring rainfall. As was said above, Zones 6 and above plus the arid regions of the west were all having to water while I was thinking, "hunh?"

At my house, I actually have the opposite problem: the jugs sit on the ground, and I put a few drainage holes in the sides of about a dozen jugs, about an inch from the bottom. Those jugs did so much better that I went around with the drill and added side drainage to them all in March to alleviate the slow drainage I noticed.

Lime

New to WS here -- a few questions

Comments (4)

highalttransplant

stage_rat

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