plastic milk jugs vs. cardboard milk cartons ?

14 years ago

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie getting ready to try winter sowing for the first time. Just was wondering if you all prefer the plastic milk jugs to using cardboard milk cartons?

We usually buy our milk in the cardboard cartons, so we have tons of those, but not a lot of plastic jugs lying around. I was wondering if the clear plastic milk jugs are better because sunlight comes in from the sides of the jug, and not just the top of the container like in a cardboard milk carton?

Very excited to start winter sowing!

Thanks.

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Comments (6)

pitimpinai
14 years ago
I use cardboard milk/juice cartons to grow dahlia tubers or other plants before transplanting them in the garden.
I have never used them for WS, but I don't see why not, since people have used gallon pots and other opaque containers for WS. They use clear plastic to cover the container rims.

I also WS in newspaper pots. They are as opaque as milk cartons. Give it a try. I am for recycling as you are. :-D
northerner_on
14 years ago
I use 2-litre bottles myself, and have used milk cartons sometimes but the disadvantage is the ease of covering them. Depending on the weather, you may want to open your containers during the day, and re-close them at night. It's just easier if you have an easily re-closable container. I used the milk cartons for annuals which I usually plant in early spring and don't have much of a need for opening and re-closing. The opaqueness of the sides of the containers doesn't present a problem.
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I got this in an email from BHG. The Magic Milk Jug For sheer versatility in the garden, nothing comes close to the humble plastic milk jug. Save both half-gallon and gallon sizes to create these garden helpers. 1.Seed flats. Starting your own seeds is the easiest way to cut your gardening costs to the bone. And it's the only way to get many of the newest varieties. To save space and bother, start seeds in shallow trays filled with potting soil, then transplant the strongest seedlings to pots later on. To make free seed flats, cut off the bottom three inches of a gallon milk jug and punch a few holes in the bottom with a nail. Fill with potting mix, and use a pencil to create two or three shallow furrows for sowing. Then plant your seeds according to the packet directions. 2.Mini greenhouse. In northern zones, young transplants and seedlings are easy prey for spring and fall frosts. Protect them with their own personal greenhouse. Just cut the bottom off a gallon milk jug and, when a cold snap is in the forecast, place the jug over the plant. You can regulate the temperature somewhat by putting the cap on or taking it off. Just be sure to remove the cover on warm, sunny days to prevent turning your greenhouse into a sauna. 3.Flexible scoop. This simple scoop is fashioned from a half-gallon plastic milk jug. It's great for distributing fertilizer granules or potting soil in tight spaces. To craft it, make two horizontal cuts on the sides adjacent to the handle, and two forward-slanting diagonal cuts in the other sides. 4.Liquid fertilizer distribution system. Okay, the name might be a bit of a stretch, but this idea is a winner. Use plastic milk jugs to mix up liquid fertilizer, then punch a hole or two in the cap with a nail. Use your "system" to deliver a dose of plant food to even the smallest pots or plants. 5.Protection plus. If you use a cold frame to extend your growing season, line the inside with plastic milk jugs filled with water. The water be warmed by the sun, and will help reduce temperature swings inside the cold frame. The result: a lower chance of frost damage at night and overheating during the day.
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Another variation on the 2-liter - I put 2 slits in the upper half, about 1-1.5 inches long, directly opposite each other. This allows the top half to spread apart just enough to slide over the bottom. Then I push the top down nice and snug. No way they are going to blow off, they're snug enough to lift the bottle without a problem. The 2 liter bottles are very easy to rinse out and re-use when they're cut this way. I have also cut all the way around and left a hinge, tape or no tape, but when it comes time to take the seedlings out, the top needs to be cut off anyway.
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I have planted most of my seeds in milk jugs and lasagna pans with lids. I noticed these things: lasagna pans - more surface area for sowing - less depth of soil - less ventilation (in my case, I had about 8 pencil size holes) - possible to overheat sprouts (remove lids earlier) - earlier to sprout and slower to grow (perhaps due to lids off) - holds moisture longer with lids on - easier to take lids off and top water gently milk jugs - less surface area for sowing - more soil depth - plenty of ventilation so they won't overheat as easily - sprouts grow larger and faster and have deeper root systems - easier to bottom water - easier to transport Which one do I prefer? I donno. It's a toss up. Each one has it's own advantages. They both work well for me. My guess as to why they grow larger in the milk jugs is due to having greater soil depth and perhaps extra warmth in the jugs.
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I was going to say the same thing - use the bottom for seed starting. Or cut the carton in half the long way and use both sides. I actually e-mailed an organic milk company about a year ago to discuss the cardboard half-gallons. I mentioned how I had no good way to dispose of them, and why didn't they make recyclable plastic cartons, and while they are at it, how about gallon-sized ones (cheaper because of more product, less packaging, etc.) Just last week, out of the blue, long after I had given up on hearing from them and, to be honest, had forgotten I ever contacted them, I got an answer. Seems the company is going to package the milk in recyclable plastic gallon jugs. I guess others spoke up too. Not that this helps you with your cardboard cartons, lol, but just wanted to show that things are hopefully moving forward! Good luck! :) Dee
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mmqchdygg
14 years ago
I've used them successfully, as well. While it was somewhat tedius, I simply cut windows in at least two of the sides, put in a saran wrap "window" (held in by duct tape), and it worked fine. Held up all season. I did make a mental note that with at least 2 bigger windows in the sides, growth was better than if I put only two smaller windows in the 'slant' part of the carton at the top.
I did the same thing with ice cream boxes- big window in the top.
plays_in_dirt_dirt
14 years ago
I use a lot of the milk/OJ cartons and have had good germination in them. I cut mine down to 5-6 inches and put them in a produce bag or bread wrapper secured with a twist tie at the top. I put drainage holes in the bottom of the plastic bag (and carton) and transpiration holes in the top.
topie
Original Author
14 years ago
Wow, thanks so much to everyone for sharing your experiences with different containers! I hadn't even thought of cutting windows in the cardboard milk carton sides...that is a great idea. And it would be great to have another use for the plastic bags the bread comes in...I'm one of those save-and-use-everything people, and I do actually wash and save our bread bags and zip-lock bags.

I think for my first year of winter sowing I'll try a combination of containers and see what works out the best. I have a lot of those plastic 2-liter bottles and various plastic juice bottles, so will try those too. Yesterday I realized I can probably winter sow in those plastic boxes that our baked goods are packaged in from the supermarket...

Thanks again to everyone for your follow-up posts! I'm so excited to get started...
flowerchildky
14 years ago
Hello Topie! you will love w/s! it's so much fun!
I started in 2001/2002 season with Cool Whip and cottage cheese containers as well as 2 litre bottles...the bottles did not do well for me- we did have a WET winter, and I did not have enough drain holes in the bottoms..

the last few years I use Solo Cups and the strofoam cups that are listed as 'recycleable'- they are easy to punch holes in, and I reuse them too! I don't need as many plants now, because of w/s I have my little city cottage garden stuffed, so the cups do fine for me. I put plastic wrap on the top, held with pony tail rubber bands and punch holes in it for moisture/air

the main thing I have found about containers: you can use most anything if you can get at least 3 inches of soil in it..

I have tons of seed to share- if you want to send me a bubble env- and 2 stamps- then you can experiment and really have fun!

Linda

plastic milk jugs vs. cardboard milk cartons ?

Comments (6)

pitimpinai

northerner_on

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mmqchdygg

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plastic milk jugs vs. cardboard milk cartons ?

Comments (6)

pitimpinai

northerner_on

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mmqchdygg

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flowerchildky

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topie
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