This is my first year winter sowing and I've had better luck finding milk jugs (DH - chemist - limits the plastic in our house) so that's mainly what I've used. The first batch I did, I cut like Dee. IMO, this maximizes the height that the sprouts can reach but the amount of dirt that can be added is limited by where you cut - or it'll fall out. The second batch, I cut about half way between the top and bottom of the handle, across the whole jug so the handle is the hinge. This manner improves the carrying ability of the container, as Nancy said, and the way I'll do all of the milk jugs now. Since I haven't done this before, I'm unable to see the big picture nor predict future issues. I am happy as a clam that the weather here has again cooled since my seeds are germinating!! I did panic but am going to let it go, since I didn't encourage these flowers to sprout yet and am leaving it up to Mother Nature:)

That's a great little slide show, and exactly the way I do my milk jugs except i use duct tape. Now is fine for most things, though I'll do my zinnias and things that sprout quickly a little later. My marigolds went out yesterday and my petunias went out almost three weeks ago as well as a bunch of perennials. They're sitting outside now surrounded by the little bit of snow we've gotten over the past week. The year we had the two blizzards in five days they were covered for weeks and everything did just fine. In fact, I think snow cover makes it easier, it insulates and then waters as it melts -- no fuss, no worry about whether they're drying out. Give it a try, you'll probably be hooked. Caryl

Hmmmm, wonder what the glitch is. I just answered there, it posted.....gave the 'rule of thumb' response too ;)

cindip63 I once wintersowed lisianthus years ago. It successfully germinated, but I didn't have great success growing it. I believe my season is too short and with wintersowing the seeds germinated too late for my season, so I didn't get a lot of blooms before the season ended. If I ever started seeds indoors I would do lisianthus this way to get more of a jump on the season. Not sure where you are but just letting you know my experience. Good luck! Such a beautiful flower, lisianthus. :) Dee