Winter jug sowing is the perfect solution for
our small housing situation (1300 sq ft).
The Lord has blessed my socks off with
this gardening method since 2017!
Beautiful zucchini seedlings nestled comfortably in their jug |
WHAT IS WINTER JUG SOWING?
Winter sowing is a way to start seeds outside in a jug to create a mini greenhouse for added protection from animals and weather while at the same time saving $$$ and preventing moisture loss. The seeds sprout close to their natural outdoor timing and do not need to harden much because they are already out in the weather. Jug sowing does not technically have to start in winter unless you are sowing seeds that need cold stratification. I start most of my seeds 2 months before my last frost. It can also be repeated late summer for fall crops.
BENEFITS OF WINTER SOWING
- Requires very few supplies, no space in the home, very little attention and no electricity.
- Tiny, delicate seedlings germinate faster and don't dry out as easily, increasing survival.
- Seedlings are more protected from animals and harsh Spring weather.
- Enables us to play in the dirt when we are stuck indoors..reducing winter depression.
- Seeds can sprout a bit sooner than direct sowing because they warmer.
- If the jugs are started in winter, it gives plenty of cold stratification time for perennials that need it.
- It's satisfying watching seeds grow :)
- Saves a ton of money compared to buying seedlings or full size plants and costs almost nothing.
- Increases gardening independence compared to buying produce or plants.
- You can save seeds from your own plants to grow the next year or trade seeds with friends.
- Cheaper than a greenhouse and more portable. And hey, not everyone can have a greenhouse, lol.
- Doesn't matter if you live in an apartment, use a community garden, or have your own land.
- ETC!
There are many wonderful gardening methods!
I'm not against any of them so if something else is your preference then go for it!
Use whatever method you enjoy and works best for your situation! Fellow gardeners, unite! Haha!
However, if you think winter (jug) sowing might be a good fit for you, read on! 
Want the support of friends
or videos to watch?
Try this winter sowing gardening group
on Facebook HERE!
Or "Juicing Gardener' YouTube Videos!
HOW TO WINTER JUG SOW
SUPPLIES NEEDED
1.) Rinse & save translucent milk jugs, large clear coconut oil containers, vinegar jugs (tall one from Costco are great for taller seedlings), large soda bottles like 2 or 3 liter, tall yogurt containers with clear lids, etc. As you can see..it doesn't HAVE to be a jug if you are just starting out and don't have much. It needs to be able to hold a minimum of 3 inches of potting mix and have about 4 inches of growing room however! Ask your friends...they will likely be happy to bless you with some! Get rid of any twist caps. You won't use them for this project.
2.) A big bag of potting soil such as Happy Frog, Promix, Black Gold, Scott's Hyponex, or Dr Earth's Pot of Gold. Less chunky is better. If you buy cheap soil it may be too chunky and seedlings might dry out fast or not sprout at all so be sure to sift it through hardware cloth to get the chunks out!
3.) Plant markers. Save $$$ by cutting plastic strips from old jugs or plastic cups!
4.) Paint pen. They work better in the sun than permanent markers!!!!
5.) Roll of duct tape.
6.) A drill with a 1/4" or 1/2" bit. (There are also other methods to make holes.)
7.) And of course you will need SEEDS! Haha! I like to get my seeds from Dollar Tree, Walmart end caps, or online places like freeheirloomseeds.org , chauly's, and migardener.com .
INSTRUCTIONS
** Pick a time in winter ...doesn't matter..could be Dec/Jan/Feb or in even early Spring if you have a late planting date for your area or your winters are prone to warm streaks that could make the seeds sprout earlier than you desire. (Our planting date is June 1 so I usually prep my jugs in mid March unless I'm sowing cold loving plants.)
1.) Drill several drainage holes in bottom of jug/container. Also drill a hole about 1 inch up each side. If you are using wide lid containers drill larger holes in the lids for air circulation (no need to do that for jugs since they already have a hole...get rid of those twist caps!)
2.) Cut jugs with knife or scissors, just under the level of the handle..about 3 1/2 inches up.
DO NOT CUT THE HANDLE AREA but leave it intact so the top stays connected!
3.) Moisten & stir your potting soil in a bucket, then put 3-4 inches of it into your jug bottom.
4.) If you didn't pre-moisten your soil, place the jug in sink or bucket and spray with water to drench the soil. Let it drain for a while til it stops dripping.
5.) If desired, mo
ve to table and place on a towel to absorb any water still coming out.
5.) If desired, mo
ve to table and place on a towel to absorb any water still coming out.6.) Sow seeds to the appropriate depth or slightly less...about 4-9 seeds per milk jug depending on size of seed. Any kind of seed can be used but I like to start with the plants that need stratification, then the cold loving plants, then 2 months before my frost free date, the warm loving plants, and then finally, about 1 month before my plant out date I sow the big seeds like zucchini. However, you CAN sow them all at the same time if you wish!
DONT SOW BY THE HANDLE or your seedlings may grow up into it, haha.
7.) Label a plant marker and place in the jug. This helps to know what the plants are after you have opened the jugs again. It also is a backup in case you have a lame pen and the outside label wears off.
8.) Close the jug w a small piece of tape, then use duct tape all the way around to seal the cut.
9.) Label the duct tape with plant name and date if you plan to reuse the jugs. Otherwise, you can write it on the jug.
9.) Label the duct tape with plant name and date if you plan to reuse the jugs. Otherwise, you can write it on the jug.
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10.) Sit jugs outside IMMEDIATELY in a place they won't get blown away...in the garden bed, on your deck/patio in a cluster, along a garage wall, etc. Pick a spot they will get rain, sun, and even snow! If they need stratification and your area gets warm spells, sit those jugs in the shade to stay cold for a month or so as needed.
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TENDING JUGS
There really isn't much to do now.
Check them every once in a while to make sure you see condensation in the jugs and soil is moist. If they are drying out, just spray over them for a bit with a hose sprayer or sit them in a pan of water for a bit. They don't need tons of water but do need condensation.IF the weather warms up enough that you get sprouts, you'll need to throw a couple of blankets over them at night if temps are gonna be too cold. I cover mine if the forecast says 40F or lower. Especially protect warm weather stuff like tomatoes. Here in the plains of Colorado, Spring can be 80' one day and snowing/freezing the next, causing things to sprout early sometimes. No biggie! Just protect with blankets as needed until your frost free date! I use a sleeping bag and a regular blanket.If you live in a place that gets blazing hot, you can throw a shade cloth or sheet over your jugs in the heat of the day or put the jugs where they will get only morning sun.
PLANTING TIME
Once you get to your frost-free date, you may want to plant your plants into your garden beds. However, if the plants are still small enough you can leave them in their happy place (aka jug) til they get bigger and stronger.You can replant jugs for succession planting or later planting if desired! If it is too hot by then, you can find a place with a bit of shade/protection from hottest part of the day.
Anyway, to acclimate your plants to new humidity for the garden once your planting date is here.....
DAY 1 - Remove or cut the tape on jugs (not the hinge). Leave them closed but floppy..open about an inch.
DAY 2 - Open jugs half way.
Check after 30 min to see how plants are doing and if they are still happy with the reduced humidity.
Check after 30 min to see how plants are doing and if they are still happy with the reduced humidity.
If not, close jug to just an inch or so til they get used to the lower humidity and look happy again.
DAY 3 - Open jugs all the way after the heat of the day is over.
DAY 3 - Open jugs all the way after the heat of the day is over.
Check after 30 min to an hour to see if plants are still happy.
If not, close jug more til it gets used to the lower humidity and looks happy again.
DAY 4 - After the heat of the day, if plants are happy without cover, plant them with some compost in your garden/deck pots/beds by scooping them out with a spoon (including their dirt/roots, haha).
DAY 4 - After the heat of the day, if plants are happy without cover, plant them with some compost in your garden/deck pots/beds by scooping them out with a spoon (including their dirt/roots, haha).
This process could be done in a couple days if you live in a cooler/milder climate but still open incrementally and check on them. Planting on a cloudy day is good.
This is a great time to put
a bit of blood meal and bone meal in the hole
then water with some compost tea or kelp water!
If you would like to have a few plants indoors to sprout EARLY, you can store them in a box like this and place them in a sunny window or just sit the whole thing indoors at NIGHT, putting it back out in the morning! DON'T ACCIDENTALLY LEAVE THEM OUTSIDE to freeze! :D
HAVE FUN AND TAKE NOTES!
Be sure to check out my recipe for
which is wonderful for dry winter skin as well as after a day out in the dirt! :)
