I have done WinterSowing for years. I poke drain holes in the bottom before I cut the milk jugs open. I have had the best tomato germination using this method. I don't like starting seeds indoors. The tender plants get "harden" off so much better and makes them stronger. Trudi Davidoff from New York is the person who I have corresponded with over the years on this method. She has given me permission to use her information to share with my Master Gardeners and other gardeners. I haven't tried growing flowers, but use this method to start my vegetables. I also use a spray bottle to water the soil. No problem with having an indentation in the center the soil. I live in Zone 6a and put my planted containers on my deck in January with tomato, peppers and other vegetable seeds. I also put the date I planted the seeds on the containers.
@@vitak6326 yes tomatoes do well being started this way. That's the only way I start mine. I already have tomato seeds planted in my milk jugs and are outside on my deck. Snow, freezing rain, etc. does not hurt them. They will germinate when they are ready to do so. Once the weather warms up in early may, I start keeping an eye out for germination. Once they have, keep an eye on the soil. You can water them by using a spray bottle or from the bottom in a dish, just don't over water.
@@scheralgreider5406 I am in 6a also, but start my tomatoes & peppers indoors, so I am ready to plant mid to late April, although I usually wait until Mother's Day or later, depending on the weather. This year I'm planning to plant mid to late April using red kozy coats & plastic tunnel, after warming up my raised beds with black plastic for a couple of weeks. Hoping to get tomatoes a month earlier than normal. I don't have the patience until May just for germination. 😍
Dollar Tree is a great place to purchase duct tape. The silver tape works well, but the black duct tape sticks even better! I actually made a little jig to hold a sharpie to draw the lines evenly on the jug before cutting. I just spin the jug around while holding it against the marker. Straight cuts are so much easier to tape!!!
I absolutely adore Monty Don and highly recommend his books The Complete Gardener and The Sensuous Garden. Both of them beautifully express our connection to our land.
Thank you. Seeds are ordered & milk jugs are being saved. As soon as seeds arrive... out they go. 5b pocket in Ohio. 70 yrs old and learning new things to create new brain synapse connections. :)
Another great post and timely for me. Although I've been gardening and growing my own seedlings for more than 30 years, the idea of winter sowing recently intrigued me. My research revealed that this approach works best for perennials (which you confirmed) but I was looking to it so I could free up some space for indoor starts. At the end of your video, you indicate that is called "spring sowing". Thanks for the clarification. I'm going to give it a try. You mentioned an option of covering your seeds with vermiculite. I'll confirm that this works well. I've been doing it for years with all my seedlings as I find it more forgiving in terms of how much soil to cover your seeds with. It is also helpful in determining whether your seedlings need watering (darker color means there's enough water). Thanks again for your many helpful posts.
Will this work in April in rainy cold WA state? I have several veg seeds that can be started indoors in April but I have milk jugs not grow mats & lights.
@@ILkaterlyn I had the same exact problem. This was the first year that this method failed me. I was so disappointed because I had some heirloom seeds. It was because of those zig zag temps. Hoping for a better result this year. Gonna watch the temp dips and maybe bring the jugs inside if that happens. At night anyway.
I tried this approach last year. It worked GREAT for penstemons and banana yucca. I also had good success with asparagus and onions from seed. The heavier clear packing tape worked well for me to close up the jugs. My challenge was paying attention to their water needs. My NW New Mexico 7,000 foot location is high and dry, not that much condensation. Love the addition of vermiculite to mitigate that. I prefer numbering the containers. You could write the numbers on the packets if you don't want to make a list (I made a list). Once they sprout, you generally know who's who. Once again, thanks for the inspiration! 😄🌻
I use Winter Sowing. One thing I have found to help when keeping he seeds damp is to water them with a water bottle. The problem with that is as the water bottle gets lower, you have to refill it to keep the flow going. Another option is to get a small container, with a pumper. Once you pump up the pressure, you don't have to constantly squeeze the handle to dispencse the water. Much easeir on the hands.
Yes! I was looking forward to this video. I have everything I need and will start winter sowing tons of flowers this week. I will also do spring sowing because I don't have room for grow lights. If the tomatoes and peppers don't work, it won't be an expensive loss. I will still have time to buy them at the nursery like I usually do. Learning something new!
I did that last year and found myself watering all the time....I live in Northern CA and it has not rained here at all this year so my container gets dry quickly. This is perfect for regions that gets rain🌧
@@saminairfan45 I live in an area surrounded by lakes, quite near a large one. My property has a large pond. Any more water and I would need gills for survival
Great video!!! I had been committed to start my seeds only indoors, or direct sowing in the Spring. Thank you for opening my eyes. I now plan to start some seeds indoors, some outdoors in containers, and some direct and find out the results.
Hi Scott, awesome video. I learned about winter sowing a few years ago and I'm hooked for specific types of plants that you mention: definitely perennial flowers, but also herbs, lettuces and brassicas. Annual flowers too! I tried it for onions last year, and they germinated beautifully, but take too long to develop and fall behind schedule to develop large bulbs, so I am back to starting them under lights in January. I am also not convinced it is worth it for tomatoes, peppers and eggplants, but others will disagree. Thanks for the tips on ornamental grasses and cold stratification and scarification. Two tips from me: You can put a bunch of the jugs in a tub and bottom water if you have a dry spell, but it can be time consuming if you have a lot of jugs. One other strategy I have found useful is to divide the growing area into four quadrants and sow 4 or 5 seeds or more in each quadrant. Then once they are ready to transplant you break that up into four parts.
I appreciate how you thoroughly explain this process all the way through and show how you put the jugs outside in full sun. I'm going to try this for sure...TFS!... ME from AZ!
Personal experience... I use a pencil to label my tags now and not Sharpie markers. I was amazed how quickly (weekly) Sharpies faded from my labels after being exposed to a south-facing New England winter sun (i.e not intense).
i number the containers, and in my journal i write what is in each container, i write on the containers with a marker and tape over the writing, clear packaging tape, so the writing doesn't disappear, works great
Thank you for this video. I've watched many videos on this subject, but really needed to here your take on it. I've seen it done in Alaska, frozen prairies in Canada, Northern Michigan, etc. But, I wanted your take as I said. I do have everything I need already to start. Take care, stay safe
i have begun my winter sowing in containers! i am also winter growing cold- tolerant salad leaves in raised bed under a hoop house, time to harvest some more today! zone 7b
Hello Gardener Scott!!! Absolutely love your videos and admire your knowledge. I grew up helping my parents in the backyard garden and 5 acre vegetable farm my dad and grandfather had. Being a kid I really had no appreciation for it, always thought it was too much work. 12 years ago I put in my first very own garden. It wasn't big, but it was fun. 4 years ago I bought a house and was able to have a big garden. 20foot by 30foot. First 2 years taught me alot. Alot of failure due to the truck load of junk soil I bought thinking it would be good. Last year I brought in many many loads of compost. It was the best year so far. I have to opportunity to listen to your videos and podcasts at work. Has me pining for spring, and your videos keep me going. I just downloaded all your long videos to listen to. Thank you again, you are awesome, and thank you for your service to this great country.
I've done this 1 year now, and I'm hooked. One thing I did was write the name on the duct tape (instead of the jug itself). That way, the next year, no writing to scrape off. Also, in addition to milk jugs, I've found that plastic kitty litter jugs are great for this, too (if you aren't a big milk drinker, but do have cats. Lol)
the shiney thin tape from the AC dept works very well, also, a paint pen is the best i've found for marking. i am testing a china marker this time. love winter sowing!!!
I think china markers have potential. A test plant tag from last year ~ black plastic knife using white china marker ~ still looks terrific a year later. Good luck!
Right on time! I’m currently planning my first winter sowing experience. I always look forward to your videos b/c they’re very informative, visual & spot on - THANK YOU as always 🌱💫
I'm going to use the idea of numbering the containers and keeping track on a piece of paper or spreadsheet what's in each one. I'll also line them up by number. Last year I wrote the name of the flowers on the jugs with permanent marker. By spring, I could no longer read the writing. For plants with distinctive leaves, it was OK. But for some, it was a guessing game.
If you have a greenhouse, it seems you could do this procedure and probably get germination sooner. Also, no worries about wind. For what it's worth...
Gardner Scott, love this idea. I am going to gather my materials today. So excited just not sure which seeds to look for that need the stratification and scarification. Love your channel. Wyogal
i glued plastic cups on top. drilled holes in them, we're abit drier here so i wanted to see if it would help to capture more moisture...just did to a few to test, a drill to put holes, i did the number method, this way i could elaborate on planted dates, and anything about the plants, will note germination %
Gardener Scott, I am so enjoying your videos! I really appreciate how your share your knowledge and experience in a calm, thorough, and respectful way. I have one suggestion about cutting the jugs: instead of having a corner as the hinge, perhaps leaving one side uncut would still work, allowing the use of less duct tape, and saving a bit of time. Thanks for helping us garden!
Gardner Scott I have been doing winter sowing for 4 years in Zone 3 - I did many annual flowers as well as perennials and great for starting brassicas I did not have success with tomatoes zinnias the plants that like warmer weather I did 185 jugs last year for my raised beds Great for Milkweed and pollinator flowers, in some jugs I split 1/2 jug with one kind and other half with another type. I put tags inside the jugs as well noting who’s seeds I used, date then used the tags in the garden
Hi, Jay. I sow native and perennial plant seeds suitable for my zone 5 Colorado garden. You'll need to identify plants that are suitable for your region. Most perennial plants for your zone should be okay for winter sowing.
I have winter sown yarrow, butterfly weed, geranium, verbena, dianthus, celosia, hollyhocks, and foxgloves. Annuals should be winter sown in March. Perennials or seeds that require stratification, can be sown in February. Some I'm trying this year for early sowing are snapdragons, poppies, lavender, hibiscus, and cleome. Try wintersown. org for additional lists.
I direct seeded zone 5 Ontario in mid-March with cold weather greens such as brassicas lettuce dill chamomile. Kept a clear plastic cover on. Worked great. Not so well with beets, parsley, cilantro, and radishes, but did manage to transplant the beet family (chard and perpetual spinach) in April and they did well. On the other hand, we got a really crazy February frost in mid-May last spring. That killed some of the spring sown stuff as I just named.
Thank you for the helpful info! This is how I hope to sow most of my seeds. A question - I live in Georgia, where some days it will get up to 75 degrees+ even in the wintertime. Would the inside of the jugs get too hot for the seedlings on days like that? Would I open the jugs on warmer days, and close them up when the temperatures dip back down?
Maybe you could write the variety & date on the duct tape. When it's removed, the container is ready for the next variety and season. Can't wait to see the flowers you've sewn. Gardener's World is one of my favorite gardening shows. Are there other shows or channels here on U-tube that you enjoy?
Great video and timely! Would I expect plant maturity to occur sooner with this method? If I planted Calabrese Broccoli (60 days) could I anticipate moving and harvesting sooner. This would help me with my succession planning. Thanks! 🌱
I really like watching your content. I have been itching to start my gardening and my space is limited inside. I am going to be trying this out as soon as I can find bottles or containers to get some of the flowers and maybe some greens that i want to plant this year. thank you!
Good morning Scott. I live in 4B in NH. can I just put these cold stratification seeds on top of snow where I would like them to grow right before a light snow (sow in evening before light snow that night)? I do not want them exposed on top of white snow as we have a lot of birds (finches, bluebirds, junky’s, titmouse, nuthatches, chickadees, and more). The areas are flat and do not have a lot of run off. I have phlox and the indigos for shade areas under trees in our garden areas. The soil below is top soil with a good layer of wood chip mulch that is at least 2 years old with a newer layer on top from last fall. I like the idea of using the otherwise wasted containers. Thanks
Hi, Charles. You can, and when the snow melts the seeds will rest on the soil. You can expect some of the seeds to be eaten but if you sow a lot some should germinate.
The markers seem like a great idea. I use china markers on plastic strips cut from solo cups and have had good success- but you cannot let the china marker get wet. Which is a bit on a drawback!
Put the bottom of a cup or a flat rock in the middle of the dirt to deflect the falling water so it doesn't erode the soil. Oh, those plastic containers break down very quickly in the summer sun, as well as being brittle in freezing weather. When they start to break the plants will need to be put into the ground. We have around four buckets of dirt inside that we can use for everything until the ground thaws in the spring, and when the peppers germinate we'll have to make room in the window by eating down the radishes~
I was all set up to start and even went through the process of getting jugs all ready planted , label,tape and next day put it all under the lights ! I just to scared to have tiny little plants going into garden ,no one seems to show the size of them and the tomato's I have seen no way . I have been spoiled with my grow lights and the size of them .
@@gardeningjunkie2267 No there is not , When I am researching something it most certainly does not stop until I am satisfied with what it is I am looking for ,not interested ! As I clearly wrote the tomato's I have seen were tiny ! No way not worth it
Timing for zone. You did perennials and I've done fall wildflower sowing, but I'm concerned about the swings in weather and the plants sprouting too soon. I'm zone 5a in low area. If I set them out in sun next to greenhouse wall I think they may sprout too soon. Is the timing similar to starting indoors for brassicas? If this works it will save a Ton of space. Then my biggest concern is Where are they all going?😅
Thanks for the information. I also live in a dry climate. How do you water when they get too dry? I have a pump sprayer that I use for seedlings - would that work best for minimum seed disturbance?
I use a watering can with a diffused nozzle until my hose thaws out and I can use a watering wand. Light watering across the top of the jugs allows some of the water to drip inside. A pump sprayer can work okay.
Thanks for making this video .. I've had a hard time growing lavender going to try milk jugs. I'm in Aurora I asked you if you were in Colorado .thanks again
![ประสบการณ์ จ้าง Developer ที่ผมจะไม่มีวันลืม [ภาค2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pZbsSDRrmXA/mqdefault.jpg)
I have done WinterSowing for years. I poke drain holes in the bottom before I cut the milk jugs open. I have had the best tomato germination using this method. I don't like starting seeds indoors. The tender plants get "harden" off so much better and makes them stronger. Trudi Davidoff from New York is the person who I have corresponded with over the years on this method. She has given me permission to use her information to share with my Master Gardeners and other gardeners. I haven't tried growing flowers, but use this method to start my vegetables. I also use a spray bottle to water the soil. No problem with having an indentation in the center the soil. I live in Zone 6a and put my planted containers on my deck in January with tomato, peppers and other vegetable seeds. I also put the date I planted the seeds on the containers.
Would tomatoes work in a short season area? im in zone 6a as well
@@vitak6326 yes tomatoes do well being started this way. That's the only way I start mine. I already have tomato seeds planted in my milk jugs and are outside on my deck. Snow, freezing rain, etc. does not hurt them. They will germinate when they are ready to do so. Once the weather warms up in early may, I start keeping an eye out for germination. Once they have, keep an eye on the soil. You can water them by using a spray bottle or from the bottom in a dish, just don't over water.
@@scheralgreider5406 I am in 6a also, but start my tomatoes & peppers indoors, so I am ready to plant mid to late April, although I usually wait until Mother's Day or later, depending on the weather. This year I'm planning to plant mid to late April using red kozy coats & plastic tunnel, after warming up my raised beds with black plastic for a couple of weeks. Hoping to get tomatoes a month earlier than normal. I don't have the patience until May just for germination. 😍
Yes heads up to Gardeners World! Glad you like and watch it all the way over there in the States! Cheers for useful calm informative video
Dollar Tree is a great place to purchase duct tape. The silver tape works well, but the black duct tape sticks even better! I actually made a little jig to hold a sharpie to draw the lines evenly on the jug before cutting. I just spin the jug around while holding it against the marker. Straight cuts are so much easier to tape!!!
I absolutely adore Monty Don and highly recommend his books The Complete Gardener and The Sensuous Garden. Both of them beautifully express our connection to our land.
Thank you for recommending these books - they’re on my garden book list for this year 👌🏾🌱
Thank you. Seeds are ordered & milk jugs are being saved. As soon as seeds arrive... out they go. 5b pocket in Ohio. 70 yrs old and learning new things to create new brain synapse connections. :)
Another great post and timely for me. Although I've been gardening and growing my own seedlings for more than 30 years, the idea of winter sowing recently intrigued me. My research revealed that this approach works best for perennials (which you confirmed) but I was looking to it so I could free up some space for indoor starts. At the end of your video, you indicate that is called "spring sowing". Thanks for the clarification. I'm going to give it a try.
You mentioned an option of covering your seeds with vermiculite. I'll confirm that this works well. I've been doing it for years with all my seedlings as I find it more forgiving in terms of how much soil to cover your seeds with. It is also helpful in determining whether your seedlings need watering (darker color means there's enough water).
Thanks again for your many helpful posts.
Love how he really explains in detail what someone should do for gardening. I love this guy.
um.... what 😂😂
Me too, I love Gardener Scott. Such a wealth of information!💕🌸
I’ve been doing this for several years. Works every time.
Me too! 👏🏽😊🌱☀️
Will this work in April in rainy cold WA state? I have several veg seeds that can be started indoors in April but I have milk jugs not grow mats & lights.
The year I did it in zone 5...had zig zag temps....5 hours of planting and NONE grew.
@@ILkaterlyn I had the same exact problem. This was the first year that this method failed me. I was so disappointed because I had some heirloom seeds. It was because of those zig zag temps. Hoping for a better result this year. Gonna watch the temp dips and maybe bring the jugs inside if that happens. At night anyway.
So excited…my first winter sowing experience. Zone 5b/4a. Will start spring sowing today with tomatoes.
A timely video. I was just looking into winter sowing.
@denise Miller. You might also like Sheryl Mann's early ws videos from when she lived in snowy Ohio. She only gardened in containers.
If you don't have a garden marker a China marker/grease pencil will work in a pinch. Doesn't fade like permanant marker.
I use paint markers
Just when I thought i had ordered my last seed.
😂
😂🤣
Lol right!
LOL, I've ordered seeds five times from the same company within the last 30 days!! I can totally relate :)
Garden marker is on my Christmas list. China marker until then. I'm looking forward to my first winter showing.
I tried this approach last year. It worked GREAT for penstemons and banana yucca. I also had good success with asparagus and onions from seed. The heavier clear packing tape worked well for me to close up the jugs. My challenge was paying attention to their water needs. My NW New Mexico 7,000 foot location is high and dry, not that much condensation. Love the addition of vermiculite to mitigate that. I prefer numbering the containers. You could write the numbers on the packets if you don't want to make a list (I made a list). Once they sprout, you generally know who's who. Once again, thanks for the inspiration! 😄🌻
I use Winter Sowing. One thing I have found to help when keeping he seeds damp is to water them with a water bottle. The problem with that is as the water bottle gets lower, you have to refill it to keep the flow going. Another option is to get a small container, with a pumper. Once you pump up the pressure, you don't have to constantly squeeze the handle to dispencse the water. Much easeir on the hands.
Yes! I was looking forward to this video. I have everything I need and will start winter sowing tons of flowers this week. I will also do spring sowing because I don't have room for grow lights. If the tomatoes and peppers don't work, it won't be an expensive loss. I will still have time to buy them at the nursery like I usually do. Learning something new!
Love your videos! So easily explained and simplified and practical!!
Makes me love gardening all the more!! Thanks so much for you and your channel!!
What a beautiful Golden Retriever!
Thanks! She's actually a Yellow Labrador Retriever.
Looking forward to seeing a follow up on how these seeds do and on planting out.
Thanks for a timely and detailed tutorial. I appreciate your manner of delivery and subjects that you choose. Winter sowing is new to me.
Same! This is my first year trying it. Fingers crossed!
I did that last year and found myself watering all the time....I live in Northern CA and it has not rained here at all this year so my container gets dry quickly. This is perfect for regions that gets rain🌧
@@saminairfan45 I live in an area surrounded by lakes, quite near a large one. My property has a large pond. Any more water and I would need gills for survival
Jay Dixon Oh Jay, you always crack me up! See you on the Live in 20 minutes. ☺️
Great video!!! I had been committed to start my seeds only indoors, or direct sowing in the Spring. Thank you for opening my eyes. I now plan to start some seeds indoors, some outdoors in containers, and some direct and find out the results.
This worked great for me last year, even with things that like direct sowing!
Thank you Scott!
Super excited to do this now! Thanks for this video.
Hi Scott, awesome video. I learned about winter sowing a few years ago and I'm hooked for specific types of plants that you mention: definitely perennial flowers, but also herbs, lettuces and brassicas. Annual flowers too! I tried it for onions last year, and they germinated beautifully, but take too long to develop and fall behind schedule to develop large bulbs, so I am back to starting them under lights in January. I am also not convinced it is worth it for tomatoes, peppers and eggplants, but others will disagree. Thanks for the tips on ornamental grasses and cold stratification and scarification. Two tips from me: You can put a bunch of the jugs in a tub and bottom water if you have a dry spell, but it can be time consuming if you have a lot of jugs. One other strategy I have found useful is to divide the growing area into four quadrants and sow 4 or 5 seeds or more in each quadrant. Then once they are ready to transplant you break that up into four parts.
Thanks for the practical info, Jeff.
Great tutorial! Thank you for sharing!✌😎❤👏🙌❤
Very informative! I am going to try winter sowing too and your advice was great timing. Thank you!
Best winter sowing explanation ever! Thx
Great information! I always thought that I would need a greenhouse or cold frame to start seeds this way. I may try this some time.
I appreciate how you thoroughly explain this process all the way through and show how you put the jugs outside in full sun. I'm going to try this for sure...TFS!... ME from AZ!
Personal experience... I use a pencil to label my tags now and not Sharpie markers. I was amazed how quickly (weekly) Sharpies faded from my labels after being exposed to a south-facing New England winter sun (i.e not intense).
I was thinking you could write what it is on the tape since you're probably going to throw it out after you're done using it. ☺️
i number the containers, and in my journal i write what is in each container, i write on the containers with a marker and tape over the writing, clear packaging tape, so the writing doesn't disappear, works great
Thank you for this video. I've watched many videos on this subject, but really needed to here your take on it. I've seen it done in Alaska, frozen prairies in Canada, Northern Michigan, etc. But, I wanted your take as I said. I do have everything I need already to start. Take care, stay safe
i have begun my winter sowing in containers! i am also winter growing cold- tolerant salad leaves in raised bed under a hoop house, time to harvest some more today! zone 7b
Me too, to both 😁 - also in 7b UK!
@@maryb-h980 i'm in 7b, north alabama usa! funny how the zones are laid out!!!
Worked really well last year for me! Book Choi cabbage and kale worked amazing
I put a label through the handle of the milk jug and an additional label inside the jug just to be sure.
Hello Gardener Scott!!! Absolutely love your videos and admire your knowledge. I grew up helping my parents in the backyard garden and 5 acre vegetable farm my dad and grandfather had. Being a kid I really had no appreciation for it, always thought it was too much work. 12 years ago I put in my first very own garden. It wasn't big, but it was fun. 4 years ago I bought a house and was able to have a big garden. 20foot by 30foot. First 2 years taught me alot. Alot of failure due to the truck load of junk soil I bought thinking it would be good. Last year I brought in many many loads of compost. It was the best year so far.
I have to opportunity to listen to your videos and podcasts at work. Has me pining for spring, and your videos keep me going. I just downloaded all your long videos to listen to. Thank you again, you are awesome, and thank you for your service to this great country.
Thanks! Yours is a good story to share,.
I've done this 1 year now, and I'm hooked. One thing I did was write the name on the duct tape (instead of the jug itself). That way, the next year, no writing to scrape off. Also, in addition to milk jugs, I've found that plastic kitty litter jugs are great for this, too (if you aren't a big milk drinker, but do have cats. Lol)
the shiney thin tape from the AC dept works very well, also, a paint pen is the best i've found for marking. i am testing a china marker this time. love winter sowing!!!
I think china markers have potential. A test plant tag from last year ~ black plastic knife using white china marker ~ still looks terrific a year later. Good luck!
@@carole6779 thank you for the feedback! last year I had sharpie failure, had to guess at most of the plants!!!
The Tucker family homestead did the same thing about 2 weeks ago....its a good idea for sure.
I am going to try winter sowing. I have never done it. Thank you. 😊
Right on time! I’m currently planning my first winter sowing experience. I always look forward to your videos b/c they’re very informative, visual & spot on - THANK YOU as always 🌱💫
Excellent information. I will have to give this a try. Moreover, thanks for the reminder that it's time to get my cold strat. seeds started.
OMGOODNESS I'm in LOVE with your channel Gardener Scott ☺️😁
I love how this guy teach step by step.
Tks for sharing this tutorial with us and looking forward to more uploads
Very creative idea, Gardener Scott. Really appreciate your knowledge and wisdom.
I'm going to use the idea of numbering the containers and keeping track on a piece of paper or spreadsheet what's in each one. I'll also line them up by number. Last year I wrote the name of the flowers on the jugs with permanent marker. By spring, I could no longer read the writing. For plants with distinctive leaves, it was OK. But for some, it was a guessing game.
yup that's what i've done
Just started doing this ourselves this week. Excited to see how it works.
If you have a greenhouse, it seems you could do this procedure and probably get germination sooner. Also, no worries about wind. For what it's worth...
I do not think he has a green house yet.
Thank you for teaching me something ELSE NEW😂
I cant wait to try this! I shared this vid on Facebook. 👍
can be understood and proposed to be tried.
From indonesia watching your video Mr...
Gardner Scott, love this idea. I am going to gather my materials today. So excited just not sure which seeds to look for that need the stratification and scarification. Love your channel. Wyogal
Could you just cut out the bottom and use as a seed hood directly in the garden ?
Sure. It's a good cloche for small plants.
I think they might warm up a bit faster leaving the bottom attached
Yes I am planting those ready!! I am excited about it
i glued plastic cups on top. drilled holes in them, we're abit drier here so i wanted to see if it would help to capture more moisture...just did to a few to test, a drill to put holes, i did the number method, this way i could elaborate on planted dates, and anything about the plants, will note germination %
Great video, I have been saving milk jugs to use as pots but I think I’ll make some mini greenhouses instead 😁
Gardener Scott, I am so enjoying your videos! I really appreciate how your share your knowledge and experience in a calm, thorough, and respectful way.
I have one suggestion about cutting the jugs: instead of having a corner as the hinge, perhaps leaving one side uncut would still work, allowing the use of less duct tape, and saving a bit of time.
Thanks for helping us garden!
Thanks, Heidi. Your suggestion should work fine.
Gardner Scott I have been doing winter sowing for 4 years in Zone 3 - I did many annual flowers as well as perennials and great for starting brassicas
I did not have success with tomatoes zinnias the plants that like warmer weather
I did 185 jugs last year for my raised beds
Great for Milkweed and pollinator flowers, in some jugs I split 1/2 jug with one kind and other half with another type. I put tags inside the jugs as well noting who’s seeds I used, date then used the tags in the garden
Thanks for the info, Debbie.
Hi there GS, Nice video. I learned something new! Thanks
I'm going to winter sow calendula, lupines, feverfew. My first time winter sowing!
I did 5 last week. I think will do a more!
Thank you very cool
Wow! Another great video by the master! I have never heard of this and now I can’t wait to try winter sowing. The wheels are turning....
Sounds like a great idea, If only I could take the cold long enough to do it, LOL.
Afternoon! Do you have a list of seeds that this can be done with other then the ones you went over in the video? This is a great idea!!!
Hi, Jay. I sow native and perennial plant seeds suitable for my zone 5 Colorado garden. You'll need to identify plants that are suitable for your region. Most perennial plants for your zone should be okay for winter sowing.
I have winter sown yarrow, butterfly weed, geranium, verbena, dianthus, celosia, hollyhocks, and foxgloves. Annuals should be winter sown in March. Perennials or seeds that require stratification, can be sown in February. Some I'm trying this year for early sowing are snapdragons, poppies, lavender, hibiscus, and cleome. Try wintersown. org for additional lists.
Thank you both! Greatly appreciated!!!
Gardener Scott o
I direct seeded zone 5 Ontario in mid-March with cold weather greens such as brassicas lettuce dill chamomile. Kept a clear plastic cover on. Worked great. Not so well with beets, parsley, cilantro, and radishes, but did manage to transplant the beet family (chard and perpetual spinach) in April and they did well. On the other hand, we got a really crazy February frost in mid-May last spring. That killed some of the spring sown stuff as I just named.
Thank you ive been telling people to do this
Thank you for the helpful info! This is how I hope to sow most of my seeds. A question - I live in Georgia, where some days it will get up to 75 degrees+ even in the wintertime. Would the inside of the jugs get too hot for the seedlings on days like that? Would I open the jugs on warmer days, and close them up when the temperatures dip back down?
At 75, the inside may get too hot for tender seedlings. I would consider opening the top half on hot days and closing for night.
@@GardenerScott Perfect, thank you! Our weather loves to throw me for a loop. Winter coat in the morning, tank top and sandals by the afternoon
Great tips here! I've got some native seeds I'd love to try this with.
Maybe you could write the variety & date on the duct tape. When it's removed, the container is ready for the next variety and season. Can't wait to see the flowers you've sewn. Gardener's World is one of my favorite gardening shows. Are there other shows or channels here on U-tube that you enjoy?
Good suggestion. Thanks. I also enjoy Simplify Gardening, Huws Richards, and Lovely Greens.
Could you do some bottom watering?
With holes on the bottom, the soil inside should soak up some water from the soil underneath.
Great video and timely! Would I expect plant maturity to occur sooner with this method? If I planted Calabrese Broccoli (60 days) could I anticipate moving and harvesting sooner. This would help me with my succession planning. Thanks! 🌱
The warmer conditions under the plastic top should accelerate the growth of many seedlings.
Thank you great video
I really like watching your content. I have been itching to start my gardening and my space is limited inside. I am going to be trying this out as soon as I can find bottles or containers to get some of the flowers and maybe some greens that i want to plant this year. thank you!
Perennial, native flowers perennial grasses.
Good morning Scott. I live in 4B in NH. can I just put these cold stratification seeds on top of snow where I would like them to grow right before a light snow (sow in evening before light snow that night)? I do not want them exposed on top of white snow as we have a lot of birds (finches, bluebirds, junky’s, titmouse, nuthatches, chickadees, and more). The areas are flat and do not have a lot of run off. I have phlox and the indigos for shade areas under trees in our garden areas. The soil below is top soil with a good layer of wood chip mulch that is at least 2 years old with a newer layer on top from last fall. I like the idea of using the otherwise wasted containers. Thanks
Hi, Charles. You can, and when the snow melts the seeds will rest on the soil. You can expect some of the seeds to be eaten but if you sow a lot some should germinate.
Just started my first jugs today! Thanks for the info
Love the concept.🥰
The markers seem like a great idea. I use china markers on plastic strips cut from solo cups and have had good success- but you cannot let the china marker get wet. Which is a bit on a drawback!
great info........thankyou!!!
Very cool! Thank you
Put the bottom of a cup or a flat rock in the middle of the dirt to deflect the falling water so it doesn't erode the soil. Oh, those plastic containers break down very quickly in the summer sun, as well as being brittle in freezing weather. When they start to break the plants will need to be put into the ground. We have around four buckets of dirt inside that we can use for everything until the ground thaws in the spring, and when the peppers germinate we'll have to make room in the window by eating down the radishes~
I started WS last month. Zone 7a
How are these milk jug sprouts doing? Mine are beginning to sprout! Yay! But, now what? ❤️🐝🐝
Mine aren't yet. The nights are still pretty cold but I'm expecting something soon.
What a wonderful dog, she's the best! What's her name? Thank you for another incredible video :)
Thanks! That's Lily.
thank you!
Put at least 6 drain holes in the bottom of your container before filling with soil.
I was all set up to start and even went through the process of getting jugs all ready planted , label,tape and next day put it all under the lights ! I just to scared to have tiny little plants going into garden ,no one seems to show the size of them and the tomato's I have seen no way . I have been spoiled with my grow lights and the size of them .
There are many videos online showing the jugs being opened.
@@gardeningjunkie2267 No there is not , When I am researching something it most certainly does not stop until I am satisfied with what it is I am looking for ,not interested ! As I clearly wrote the tomato's I have seen were tiny ! No way not worth it
Thank you!
Timing for zone. You did perennials and I've done fall wildflower sowing, but I'm concerned about the swings in weather and the plants sprouting too soon. I'm zone 5a in low area. If I set them out in sun next to greenhouse wall I think they may sprout too soon. Is the timing similar to starting indoors for brassicas? If this works it will save a Ton of space. Then my biggest concern is Where are they all going?😅
When should I use vermiculite or perolite and what are the differences?
I have another video that explains some of that: th-cam.com/video/SKWtSxTsaas/w-d-xo.html
Have you done any videos showing your results of winter sowing? I can only find good result videos from people in zone 7 and higher…
I haven't done that as a dedicated video but have mentioned it a few videos since. I mostly did flowering perennial plants and got good results.
Hmm. What about early direct sowing and using these container tops over the seedlings?
Sure. Using them as cloches can be effective.
Thanks for the information. I also live in a dry climate. How do you water when they get too dry? I have a pump sprayer that I use for seedlings - would that work best for minimum seed disturbance?
I use a watering can with a diffused nozzle until my hose thaws out and I can use a watering wand. Light watering across the top of the jugs allows some of the water to drip inside. A pump sprayer can work okay.
@@GardenerScott Thanks!
Maybe I am being to dental with them. Maybe I need to find just the right plants for this. Thanks for the info
I tried this last year, did not go well. I'll be going back to indoors this year.
Until watching your helpful video I’d never heard of a “garden marker”. I use a paint marker to label my jugs for winter sowing.
Thanks for making this video .. I've had a hard time growing lavender going to try milk jugs. I'm in Aurora I asked you if you were in Colorado .thanks again
Wonder if you could water from underneath where the holes are... say once every couple of weeks?
That is an option if there isn't snow or rainn.