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What's Sprouting in YOUR Milk-Jugs?

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | March 18, 2010 14 Comments

Last updated on December 2nd, 2011


ANY WINTER-SOWING success stories to report? Here, January-planted Thymus serpyllum is merrily growing in its milk-jug greenhouse. Also sprouting in recyclable containers are plantings of Lupin, Larkspur, and Iberis. These and other winter-sown seedlings require the following four things now that warmer weather has arrived:

1. Check for Water. As the weather warms, inspect containers daily for moisture. Neither seeds nor seedlings can survive dryness.

2. Provide Food. I feed my sprouts with every watering, at the rate of a quarter-teaspoon all-purpose formula to a gallon of water.

3. Increase Ventilation. You’d be amazed how much heat builds up in a milk-jug greenhouse! Increase ventilation holes in the top of the jug so excess heat can escape. Otherwise, soaring, trapped temperatures will fry the seedlings. I recently moved my containers from an open, southern location to a more sheltered, eastern one.

4. Freshen the Air. On warm, sunny days, give your seedlings a thrill. Remove or unhinge covers, and let the plants revel in the fresh, open atmosphere. Replace covers at dusk.

Above, Lupin ‘Band of Nobles’, has begun to sprout. The seeds were sown on January 11.

Be sure to post an update on your winter-sowing projects. Which seeds have germinated for you thus far?

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Related Posts:
Winter-Sowing 101
How To Make a Greenhouse for Sowing Seeds

Eranthis hyemalis, The Winter Aconite
Reasons To Be Cheerful

Comments

  1. 1

    Anne Schomaker says

    March 19, 2010 at 6:33 pm

    It Worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My bachelor buttons germinated in the milk container greenhouse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. 2

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    March 19, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    Anne – I can relate to your enthusiasm! Congratulations!

  3. 3

    erin says

    March 19, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    I have a bit of seedlings popping up… Lupines, a few morning glorys and a few hollyhocks. What fun! Enjoy the Beautiful weather we've been having. I plan on doing yard work this weekend!

  4. 4

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    March 19, 2010 at 11:44 pm

    Erin – I'm jealous. Not one of my winter-sown hollyhocks has sprouted….yet!

  5. 5

    Justin says

    March 20, 2010 at 12:18 pm

    Out of 20 jugs planted, the following are up:
    Cosmos 'Sensation Mix'
    Hollyhock 'Chamois Rose'
    Coreopsis 'Dwarf Plains'
    Lavandula 'Munstead'

  6. 6

    Brigid says

    March 20, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    I was a little late in planting my winter garden, on March 6, so I was worried. Two days ago, on March 18, I saw Cosmos coming up. I just checked this morning and I have four jugs of Cosmos sprouting, a tiny bit of Hollyhocks. So far, nothing from the Pansy flambe or the geranium pinto salmon.

    Thanks for the tips Kevin. I have mine in a very sunny spot and maybe I should move to a partial shade spot? I don't want them to burn.

    Anyway, very exciting!

    Today I am going to plant my amaryllis that bloomed in February, outside. I hope it works!

  7. 7

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    March 20, 2010 at 2:41 pm

    Justin – Wow! Exciting, right?

    Brigid – Congratulations! Yes, it is a good idea to move your containers to partial shade, lest they fry from excess heat. And, once they have sprouted, annuals like cosmos will need to be protected from frost. Thus, keep an eye on the forecast. On chilly nights, throw a blanket over your jugs of sprouted annuals. Perennials and not-yet-germinated seeds need no such protection.

    Now, about that amaryllis! Here in zone 5-b, we unfortunately can not plant this bulb outdoors. It will definitely not survive frost. You can, however, submerge the bulb, STILL IN ITS POT, in semi shade from late May through September. Summer care is described in my January 19 post “The Seductive Amaryllis.”

  8. 8

    Anne Schomaker says

    March 22, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    Kevin, Congratulations on your first year at A GARDEN FOR THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your information is wonderful, especially all the tried gardening tips that you describe. I find every message so uplifting.
    I must comment that my mother was my inspiration for gardening at a very young age. She invited me to be at her side to experience the wonderment of growing plants from seed. Cobalt blue bachelor buttons remain a favorite blossom from childhood and they germinated this week in my milk container greenhouse!!!! Keep up your fabulous gardening messages as you are a true inspiration for all of us. Hugs, Anne

  9. 9

    Betty819 says

    March 15, 2011 at 11:44 pm

    So far, here is what has sprouted for me that I wintersowed:
    Carpet of snow alyssum, Patty's plum poppy, Campanula clustered bellflower, Burgundy Gailardia, Campanula peach leaf bellflower, Rose campion, White foxglove, yellow yarrow,purple dwarf alyssum, blue flax, scarlet flax, Goblin gaillardia, Morella cherry lupine, Sweet William, Johnny j-up, Dwarf fairy candytuft.

    I really got heavy handed when I sow the Foxglove, so it is thick HOS..how do I divide or separate them when they get more growth on them that I can set out? Guess I have to learn to gage myself with fine seeds next year. What's your experience or tip for sowing fine seeds so this doesn't happen?

  10. 10

    Mark Drost says

    March 19, 2012 at 9:28 am

    Basil for my Pesto!

  11. 11

    Jeanne says

    February 24, 2013 at 5:14 pm

    I just planted my first winter garden…all vegetables. Kale, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, peas, chard, collards and brusell sprouts. I ran out of jugs. We will see how it goes.

  12. 12

    Mary Mac says

    March 18, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    Ok planted two jugs in early February and so far nothing. They are on the south side under my living room window so I can check on them from above without having to step in the garden. I’m still waiting. Hmm.

  13. 13

    lisa lynn says

    March 23, 2016 at 10:34 pm

    Hi there! I live in 6A. I read over the list of plants that need stratification. Is it too late to plant broccoli, snow peas, oregano ,kale ,lupines in winter jugs? Would this also be a good time to plant the tender (marigolds, basil , parsley, morning glories?) Thank you!

  14. 14

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    March 24, 2016 at 7:30 am

    Hi Lisa Lynn – Yes — All of the seeds you mentioned can be planted in mid- or late-March.

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