SEED STARTING in MILK JUGS | 10 Easy Steps in 5 MINUTES!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.พ. 2021
- The hassle of dealing with growing lights, almost made me give up on gardening. You too? Luckily, I found a better way to start seeds.
Instead of using forking out money for even a moderately priced grow light, you can start your spring and summer garden for pennies by winter sowing in milk jugs. It’s cheap, it's simple, there’s virtually no maintenance. Better yet- it actually works.
READ THE BLOG POST HERE: tinyurl.com/ekesudb7
What is winter sowing?
Winter sowing is the process of placing seeds in closed containers to create a mini greenhouse that is kept outdoors. It is an especially enticing method for those that don’t have room for sowing indoors (ya’ know, because you need tables or tiered shelving racks, drip trays, growing flats, etc.) or prefer to avoid expensive grow light purchases to still grow from seed. Winter sowing allows seeds to get better germination rates, is excellent for cool season herbs and vegetables, and is inexpensive.
How do milk jugs grow plants?
A milk jug provides plants with their own individual greenhouse that creates and maintains the ideal microclimate a seed needs to germinate. Cool season crops require a process of ‘hardening off’ which automatically happens when jugs are kept outside through the winter, naturally experiencing cold weather conditions. This exposure stops seed dormancy and triggers germination more successfully than seeds grown indoors.
#wintersowing #seedstartinginmilk jugs #millkjugplanting #plantseedsinmilkjugs
WHO AM I?
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Do you dream of a simple, homestead lifestyle filled with home-cooked meals and a connection to your community, stewardship of the land, and animals? Is your current reality on the opposite end of that because you live in an apartment, townhouse, in the city, or small space? Don't let that stop you from cultivating homestead skills! My channel is here to help you 'just start' by giving you attainable goals, doable projects, and scaling your micro modern homestead over time. Let's learn to farm, homestead, can and ferment the harvest from our backyards, containers, or farmers markets, garden, make our own natural products and more!
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Contact Me: cassandra@becomingafarmgirl.com
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Craving more planting tips for the upcoming season? Check out what (and why) 35 crops I'll be planting this year in this year's seed haul: tinyurl.com/v5dvnz9m. Are you using milk jugs this year? I'll meet you in the comments section!
Dear Farmgirl, I am a 73-year-old retired farmer and have just viewed several of your videos. I want you to know that you are a "Fresh breath of air" on the TH-cam circuit. Your videos are concise, to the point, and, extremely well-spoken. You have even taught this old farmer some tricks I wish I had known years ago. Keep up your good work. Someone of great importance will "discover you" in the future. There is no dought about it. Consider me a friend of the Farm Girl and I look forward to watching the rest of your videos and all the new stuff you produce. Respectfully, James Ferguson Virginia Beach, VA
I’ve been saving water and milk bottles for months. I came on here for a video to refresh my memory and this is the best I have seen yet! Thank you for being concise and giving all the pertinent details! I’m subscribing now!
Hello JRNurse2013! It’s lovely to meet you. Thank you for saying hello. Winter sowing in milk jugs is a game changer, and is a very cost effective way to grow from seed. I’m so glad you found this helpful! Happy growing this season! ❤️🌱
Same here!
Love this tutorial, but just to clarify, you said OPAQUE (means NO light gets through), but really should say TRANSLUCENT, which is what the milk containers are, does allow some light through.
Great tutorial on winter sowing. I love your enthusiasm!
Thank you for the video! Been wanting to start this for the upcoming spring/summer!
You’re adorable!!! Great info. I live in Florida so it’s hot year round here and I don’t do overwintering but I still liked your video!
Great tutorial; placing a coffee filter in the bottom of the jug helps too. I used zip ties in place of masking tape for some of the jugs- we will see how it works out.
Great tip!
Boom! I have my weekend project! Thanks for making this!
great idea. love your smile and joy. Thanks
I love winter sowing! Doing an update on mine jugs soon! It’s so easy and does amazing!
Exactly, my friend! And yes, I totally should’ve mentioned to save and reuse the containers ;)
Wow wow wow! Thanks. Can't wait to start!
Good morning, your video was on my feed this morning and I'm happy it was.
You have an awesome channel.
Great information on winter sowing in jugs.
I truly appreciate your kind words! Thank you! And, I noticed you’re here on YT too. I just caught your Mack t-shirt video and loved it!! You’ll see me in your neck of the woods more often. Winter sowing really works!
Tried winter sowing for the first time last year. Game changer!! 👩🏻🌾
Totally agree!!! So happy you’re on the winter sowing train!
I love the winter sowing season!
It sure “uncomplicates” things! Thanks for stopping by!
Outstanding! Very well done. You have a gift! Thank you for sharing,
Thank you for this tutorial. I wanted to try something like this next year. We just moved and cherry tomatoes and bell peppers are all I can manage this grow season. I no longer have the space to use a full on grow system and will be starting from scratch for my garden and pantry. I am really scaling down from my old way and love your channel for figuring out how to do it all with just a little grow space.
Hi Paula! You are so welcomed! I'm happy to share what I'm learning and encourage others!
An affordable solution that helps the environment as well. Nice idea.
Well stated! Yes, that’s exactly what this is!!
Thank you for the concise and helpful video. It has everything I need to know to start. Can't wait to try it soon.
Any time! Winter sowing can’t be beat! Happy growing!
Lock and label. I love it. Great job. I don't personally add more holes on the top or bottom but am right there with you on the rest n
Thanks Esther! Yeah, it’s something I don’t think is a hard and fast rule, but depending on weather and growth. I’m like you and will just keep things super, super simple. Have you canned anything recently?
What a great video!! 🌱
Excellent video and information; thank you!
Informative and enjoying! Thanks
This is a great video. Recent subscriber here. I started my seeds in water jugs a few weeks ago and am just seeing germination. I didn't know about the blanket tip. It was cold her in SE PA over the weekend. I hope I didn't lose anything. TFS!
Best wishes for a prosperous gardening year! I'm happy to share my tips!
Thank you very much for the great information.
Your video was so informative. You have a new subscriber.
You are fantastic. Subscribed!!
great video!
Fabulous video!
Thank you! Milking planting is so convenient and truly works! Happy growing!
Fabulous video!💖
Aww, hello Chicken Mommy (lovely name). Thanks so much!
I’m so excited to try this sometime in the next week. Is there a specific month of the year to do this based on your zone? Thanks for a well put-together and informative video!
Great video, trying this in VA! 😊
Thank you! It’s could hardly believe how something so minimal could actually work but it does. You can reuse the jars from year to year and not fiddling with an indoor grow set up in my small space has been a help. Good luck with your garden this year!
Gorgeous and brilliant ...
Thank you! Cheers!
I love diy greenhouses nice
Me too! Especially ones that are this easy to assemble! What grow zone are you in?
Great Idea!
Thanks so much! This is one of the most practical, cost effective ways for small growers to grow on a large scale-use God’s grow lights!
We started winter sowing in our breezeway this winter in milkjugs and 2 liter bottles. We have a greenhouse without the plastic cover over it. They get strong southern sun and we keep them watered. Tomato plants in one month are 4 in high. Could never get that indoors without grow lights. Much easier. Doesn't take up kitchen space. Such a great way to get seedlings going strong to extend the growing season. Also, seeds are cheaper at Dollar General. We also keep strong plastic meat trays to use for water to drain on these. We have onions, tomatoes, peppers aren't up yet, peas, zinnias, marigolds aren't up yet, and watermelon. We planted peas, carrots, lettuce and beets outside in ground. Garlic is ready to pick in July usually. It was planted last fall. Can't wait fir a great gardening season. Good luck to all!
New subbie, Great informative video, I will definitely give this a try. Thanks for sharing!~
I’m so glad this was helpful! Happy growing season to you!!
Good job on this video! New subscriber
Perfect timing!
Haha, thanks Mark! What are you planting this year?
@@BecomingaFarmGirl i think I’m going with bee and butterfly friendly flowers this year
@@medwardbell very, very nice. Love that idea. This year I’ll be adding cut flowers for the first time ever just to have something beautiful to add to vases on the table. Flowers of any kind, are stunning!
Cassandra, this was such a fun video!
Very easy to follow steps.
This information will help so many newbies to winter sowing.
Thanks for sharing! Take care.
Thanks so much! I can’t wait to see how your milk jugs babies turn out, too!
Thanks for the great tips, Cassandra. Time to go buy some milk! :) Pam
Always happy to share! Yes, use those milk jugs. I even ask my neighbors ;) 😀
Wow I just saw your video In my feed. I’m a new subscriber to your channel. I love these kind of videos I learn so much!
Hey Abby! I’m sooo sorry I’m just getting to you, your comment went to my spam box for some reason! Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I love using “garden hacks” that actually work! Good luck with your upcoming garden!
@@BecomingaFarmGirl your good!
great video
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks for the video, liked that it was short and direct! I will try this with toilet paper rolls for my cold tolerant seeds.
I have heard this isn't good for tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers. Does anyone have suggestions for heat loving long season plants?
oil pastels don't fade in the sun and are still just fine months later. I use them to label my winter gardening jugs.
You can also use a garden marker which lasts longer than a permanent marker
She's brilliant!! OH....and she's cute too?!?! What a plus.
Mike! I’m a married woman and you’re making me blush! I’m so glad you found this helpful! Best of luck growing your garden this year! 😀
I grow indoors =) but yeah winter sowing is good, I like to winter sow native wildflowers in trays with domes
Oh the wildflowers sound like a great idea! It’s truly been a space and cost saving option that has given excellent results! Thanks for sharing!
This is awesome! I'm wondering... how cold is too cold to start this? I'm in MN, and I'm itching to get started. It's still gets to 20-30 degrees (f) in the evenings. I guess I could just bring them in on cold evenings?
New to your channel! New gardener last year. I see you did carrots...I didn’t think root vegetables did well with transplanting 🤔🤔 can you show the process of what you do with this winter sowing project once you’re ready to transplant. Loving all your videos!
Hello new friend! Thank you for the compliments and encouragement! I appreciate your kindness: You are right about how finicky root crops can be with transplanting BUT I’ve spoken with a few other gardening friends and even referenced a few other videos on YT and noticed how they used the milk jug method and to puncture and cut the bottom out (the jug was already in the new container) and the results were great! I’m hoping to achieve the same. Most definitely, I will show the results and transplanting. Thank you for stopping by! Are you also into canning?
@@BecomingaFarmGirl oh please show this!! This is intriguing! Yes I can! So far I’ve canned grape jelly (cheater method 😆 using grape juice), salsa with Mrs. Wages packet, carrots, potatoes, and peach jam. I’m like you, I work full time but kind of diving into gardening and canning. It’s fun and brings me great joy! I’m so glad I found your channel!
I “knew” there had to be other folks like me out there! Watch out-caning is a dangerous slope (I think you already know this). Probably like you I do small batches during the week, larger ones on the weekend and it really adds up. I feel like my feet are on both sides of the grass (farm girl and career/city life). For now they are a glorious smash up and that keeps me sane. Blessings on your day!
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Hi, I tried to click on your blog post but it gave me a 404 not found error. Do you possibly have a different link? This video was soo helpful to help get us started. Were super excited to start our small balcony garden.
do you leave the caps on the bottles
Opaque means that light can *not* get through. I think you meant transparent.
CAn this be done for warm season crops too?
What kind of veggies is best for doing this? Any?
Thank you 💗 there is that sweet little fur baby again 🥰 I think I’ll start collecting for next year. My house is full of seedlings 🌱 they’re taking over 😄
My husband saw my milk jug stash he was like What Is This????
I totally get that! These were washed and stashed in our living room...but that’s gardening, right? Lol
I live in northeast pa, last week it was 50-60 degree this week it’s barely 40 during the day and 20s at night. Warmer weather next week . Can I start this now?? Or am I too late to the game?? It’s best to transfer plants into my garden by may! Is this a possibility if I start the jug process now??
Same area and I am hoping to start mine this weekend…. I HATE the hardening off process and always lost more than survive so if this gives me the option to skip that, Im going to try! I figure we still have possibility of frost for another 5 weeks so it is worth it
Hi! I recently started some little greenhouse milk jugs but only have sugar snap peas. Is it normal for it to take weeks to sprout?? Thanks!
Yes! It definitely takes time!
Can I start seeds in milk jugs in March Zone 5?
i have kept my salad containers. Im hoping they can withstand the cold elements like the jugs can
I love this idea, Trisha! I don’t see why they wouldn’t as long as you tape them well (and do the milk crate thing I mentioned, lol). Best of luck on your spring and summer garden! Thanks for stopping by!
@@BecomingaFarmGirl Yes i plan on it!!!! Good Luck with your harvest!!!!
Reall great video ..... buuuuut I think you meant to say "translucent" and not opaque. Blessings, Jeremy
okay!
Whaaaaaaat? I had to do a double take! Randy is in the house!!!!
Lots of my jugs molded, is there something I can do about it......? Help please ....
Did u cut each side
What zone are you in?
When do you start this process?
Hi Lisa! Ideally, late winter/early spring, and 3-4 weeks before your average last frost ;)
Thank you
Can I leave the tops on inside I will take them off outside
Hi Elizabeth-you can leave the tops on inside for sure!
@@BecomingaFarmGirl thank you
I’m in Zone 7, Can I start this method in March?
You totally can! In fact, I’m starting next weekend am I’m in between 7a-b!
@@BecomingaFarmGirl That’s great news, I have 10 milk/water jugs saved and I can’t wait to start this weekend as well. Thank You for the reply!~
Just so you know potting mix and potting soil are two different things and potting mix is the right one to use. Great video, I have been doing this for awhile. I don’t use milk so I ask for them on the but
Nothing site for my town to get them. Win for me and win for them.
What can grow in a milk jug
Not opaque. You want translucent.
Interesting! I think I always plant my seedlings Too early and end up traumatizing them
Hey I M. I feel you on that. It’s been frustrating year after year spending time, money on grow lights and other gadgets. Milk jugs def make it easier and from there I just plant in the ground. Easy peasy!
@@BecomingaFarmGirl I’m hoping to get a aero garden. I think that will be a good solution since I’m in a second level apartment. I found someone selling one second hand just waiting to finish that transaction. I’m still going to start seeds the old fashion way though. Thank you so much for the tip
I’m curious about the aero gardeners, but yes, cost is holding me back (while, like you I’m also trying to find one second hand). I researched them so I think they’ll be a great option I’ve just got to get over the initial coat hump. I know you’ll keep me posted!
This is methods to water the seeds in the jug.
I tried it for this year, and I see them already growing. I'm so excited 😊 I even use it as a in door green house. Go check out my video 😍