Garden season is back! Yes, there’s still snow on the ground and it will be a while before I can play in the dirt, but the garden planning and seed starting allows me to dream about my upcoming garden season. This year I wanted to try a new type of seed starting – winter sowing using milk jugs. It’s like having my own tiny greenhouse!

The Idea

I had heard of using milk jugs for winter sowing last year. I thought it was an interesting concept – potting seeds outside in winter so you naturally get hardy plants. I started researching, hoping to give it a try last spring. Unfortunately, I researched too much, felt overwhelmed and delayed until it was too late to begin. I decided to sideline the project for a year.

I started collecting milk jugs a few months ago. The only dairy I consume is yogurt and since I make my own, I had a perfect plan to reuse the milk jugs. The only downfall about only using milk for yogurt is that it’s taken me about 3 months to collect 5 milk jugs. 

Seeds

When I was researching seeds, the internet said I could plant anything in the milk jugs. However, as I researched, it said to use native hardy plants. This can be flowers or vegetables. I decided to try broccoli and spinach. Mainly because I love broccoli and my spinach failed last year using the direct sowing method. For the flowers, I am trying zinnias, poppies and hollyhocks. My zinnias were thin and sparce last year even though they were the same as Jo’s. Her flowers were a success. I’ve never planted poppies or hollyhocks before, so figured this was a good way to get them started. 

Steps

Here are the most simplest steps for winter sowing!

1. Cut a milk jug almost in half, leaving it attached at the handle to make it easier to reattach with tape at the end.
2. Poke a 4-5 drain holes at the bottom of the milk jug.
3. Fill the bottom of the milk jug with moist potting soil.
4. Pick your native seeds and plant!
5. Tape the top half the milk jug back on
6. Place outside in the snow
7. Go enjoy a cup of tea and let Mother Nature take care of the rest.

Time to Let Them Grow

I tucked them outside where they get the afternoon sun, but are protected from the wind. It’s fun trying a new way to grow plants. I did read that as the snow melts, I may have to add a bit of water to ensure that there is enough moisture, but so far everything looks good. Wish me luck on the results!

With calmness and grace,

Hannah