Winter Sowing Using Milk Jugs

This is a low-maintenance way to start seeds earlier than you thought possible. The sealed jug acts as a mini greenhouse that allows the seeds to germinate several weeks ahead of direct sowing. Another benefit of doing this is that the plant will already be hardened off.

The last couple of years I have used milk jugs, but this year I ran into some kitty litter jugs that are heavier duty and deeper, so I am switching over to them. Any container will work as long as they are somewhat transparent to let the light and heat in. Instead of recycling your plastic milk jugs, you can repurpose them for sowing seeds!

Do it when the temperature is a consistent cold temperature. January or February are perfect months.

Putting these together is simple and fun for the young gardeners. They will need help when it comes to the drilling and cutting.

Step 1

Cut your jugs in half, leaving a corner for a hinge. Leave the lid off for watering and a bit of air circulation. Drill some holes in the bottom (5 or so) and a few on the side for drainage.

Step 2

Moisten the soil really well. Make sure it is wet, not soggy. You will need to check the jugs often so they don't dry out. Use a good compost based potting soil. The compost will feed the seedlings and won't over fertilize.

Step 3

Add seeds, but don’t over-crowd. Plan on 6 plants per jug. Most seeds I will plant ½ inch below the soil.

Step 4

I use a hole punch to put holes on both the top and bottom, and use twist ties to secure them together. Then close your container and seal all air gaps with duct tape. This holds the heat in and doesn't let it escape. Later, as it gets warmer, I will take the tape off, but still use twist ties to close them up on cold days and nights.

Step 5

Label the jug somehow so you know what it is. Sometimes permanent markers wash off so keep this in mind. I use a plant marker on the inside and use a permanent marker on the outside.

Step 6

Set them outside in a full sun location

Plants that I have had good luck growing from seed using the milk jug are cold tolerant veggies and herbs like kohlrabi, cabbage, lettuce, onions, sage, and chives. I have also had good luck with perennials like shasta daisies, cupids dart, delphinium and coreopsis. Of course, these are old heirloom varieties and not the new and improved ones.

Trust the process that the plants that are direct sowed outside, or in the milk jug, will grow and outperform plants that are bought and transplanted. Some plants have to be purchased because of genetics or specialty variety of the plant.

This article on Fall Pre-planting is a different type of winter sowing you might also like to try.