the bottom. But sowing directly in the jugs works too. So when it gets cool at night, the air in my greenhouse will cool off much quicker than the water in the milk jugs. jug acts as a greenhouse that allows the seeds to germinate several weeks ahead I used my go-to white spray paint and it’s held up perfectly. Find an unwanted plastic milk jug. Seeds that require cold stratification, hardy perennials and Make sure to wash out each jug with soap and water as you finish the milk and set them upside down on a towel to dry. Use a paper punch to punch two holes in each tab. 1) Acquire a milk jug, box cutter blade and heavy gloves to protect your fingers from cuts. eliminating the need to harden Cut the milk jug in half using a knife or scissors. 2) Cut a wide X in the the bottom of the jug. Hold the Line. These instructions use a coffee container, but you can do the same with a milk jug. The clean milk jug acts like a mini-greenhouse for plants that drop their seeds in fall. Use either a soilless Along with the plastic milk jug cloche (below) which protects seedlings and bedding plants, here are 34 more uses for your home, garden, yard, garage and boat. Start saving your gallon milk jugs so you can plant perennial seeds for next spring. For liquid fertilizer, plant food, herbicides, or other chemicals that need mixing with water, use a milk jug! These recycled milk jug ideas are too innovative and genius that you will think twice before throwing the milk jugs to dumpsters or landfills! Kids love it and so do adults. for them is to repurpose them for milk jug winter sowing. want to cover the jugs with a blanket at night. A terrific method for starting seeds that can be done earlier is milk Poke drainage holes in the bottom with scissors or something like a heated ice pick. I love planting an assortment of our favorite flowers in a pot and then I just set the pot right into the mouth of … Lastly, but most importantly, remember to clearly label your I would stick with a lettuce variety on this method. These seeds, which in nature lay under the leaves and snow, need the cold period to … Plant the seeds according to the package instructions. for growth. seed starting mix or an potting mix that has been sifted to remove ‘Direct sow after all danger of frost has passed’ becomes code Clear plastic storage bins with snap on lids (The lids don’t have to be clear) 5. Place the containers in an area of sun outdoors. On March 30 that year, there was plenty of germination. Add drainage holes to the bottom of the container. When the seedlings have produced at least two sets of true Awesome quality potting soil. Any size is fine, although gauge the needs of the plants you'll be growing when choosing smaller or larger jugs. Step 1 Use soap and water to thoroughly clean the insides of 155 to 160 plastic 1-gal. mini greenhouse. This water should be used in place of regular watering, not in addition to your normal watering routine. – Place your milk jug next to the plant you want to water in your garden and fill it with water from your hose. Replace the top of the milk jug and seal it as best you can with tape; packing tape works best. You plant hardy seeds in old milk jugs or other containers and set the containers outside now. Plant your seeds and water gently – you do not want to over water the seeds and soil. Measure and add the first ingredient to an empty milk jug, set it on a level surface, and use a permanent marker to make a line at the top of the liquid. The Magic Milk Jug For sheer versatility in the garden, nothing comes close to the humble plastic milk jug. Common milkweed plants grow to about 2 to 4 feet in height, with a thin, vertical growth habit. Cut containers horizontally at least 4-inches from the bottom and discard the bottle caps. Gallon-size milk jugs provide large seedling greenhouse, but you can grow large single plants, such as tomatoes, in 1/2-gallon jugs. One of our more experienced gardeners has tried Milk Jug Planting in the past (it was recently mentioned in the Calgary Horticultural Society article on February 25th) and says it works great. Use them as mini plant protectors in areas where frost is likely in the spring; cut the bottom out of the milk jug and cut open the top and bottom part of the handle. 2 liter soda bottles also work pretty well with this method if you have those. Take the serrated knife and CAREFULLY cut the milk jug in half. The milk jug hot house works well for slow starting seeds and is a great project for children for any seedling. Measure and add the first ingredient to an empty milk jug, set it on a level surface, and use a permanent marker to make a line at the top of the liquid. the evening. These miniature greenhouses produce strong, healthy transplants that require no hardening off because they’re already outside and have withstood plenty of temperature changes throughout their initial growth cycle. Before you start your indoor milk jug greenhouse, you'll need to collect milk jugs for a few weeks. sowing, but you may also use any semi-transparent plastic container (apparently Rinse out a clear plastic milk jug with hot water and dish soap. Its great for cool season crops and a head start or perennials. To convert a two-liter soda bottle or milk jug into a miniature-greenhouse, use a utility knife to cut a horizontal slit half way up the side. 1. started in milk jugs during this time or later. Drill 4-8 holes (use a drill bit for plastics) on the bottom of your container for drainage.The holes should be approximately 1/4″ in diameter. be planted when. ... As you plant your garden, it’s a great idea to mark what you’re planting and where. When temperatures hit 50-60 F. (10-16 C.), especially if it is Information Read on to learn how it's done. Cold crops like brassicas, native plants and wildflowers Seed & Fertilizer Spreader. the semi-opaque milk containers work as well) that has room for at least 2 8. Clean them thoroughly and allow them to dry completely. For liquid fertilizer, plant food, herbicides, or other chemicals that need mixing with water, use a milk jug! If the hose doesn’t reach your plant, simply fill it with water at the source, put the cap on and turn it upside down (so the water doesn’t come out the holes) until you reach your plant and then set it down. This will keep the moisture in there, which helps hasten seed germination. Starting your own seeds is the easiest way to cut your gardening costs to the bone. After sowing the seeds, tape the lid or upper half of the jug, tape it down to the bottom half of the jug. It may not hurt to rinse it out with vinegar and to let it totally dry. And the Water in Milk Jugs Might Start to Stink! Make sure it is very clean. 1L or 2L plastic soda bottles (we have had the most success using these containers) 4. When finished planting seeds, you may want to add a waterproof label inside the jug identifying the seeds in case the outside label fades in the weather. which is necessary for some types of seeds to germinate. If so, a great option is to bury a milk jug with holes drilled in it next to the plant. Fill the bottom half of the jug with three or four inches of good quality potting mix. Toss the cap, you won’t need it. Write the ingredient name in the space it occupies in the jug. way to set up a drip irrigation system for garden plants. Email me your idea. of slightly Ice cream buckets. This should remain taped closed until your plants inside have grown pretty substantially and the outside temps have reached the mid 6o's or higher in the daytime. Materials One or two quart milk jug Scissors Planting foam Potting soil 1) Cut the milk jug in half, below the handle. The sealed It may take two or more washings to thoroughly clean the jugs. Planting our own herbs, and maybe someday our own vegetables will show my kids how good fresh food is and how they can do it for themselves. Slice them horizontally on three sides to make an opening. Calculate up how many plants you want to sow, and plan (depending on the plant type) to put between 3 and 5 seeds per jug. vermiculite or, ideally, sphagnum moss. 12 Causes and Things to Watch For, Everything You Need to Know About Organic Pesticides, Growing Mint: How to Plant, Grow, and Take Care of Mint, How to Create a Tiny Edible Window Box Garden, 12 Essential Fall Garden Tasks to Get You Ready for Spring, 6 Pieces of Advice to Help You Overcome Gardening Failure, 10 Tips to Help You Maximize Your Greenhouse Space, Growing Basil: The Complete Guide to Plant, Care, and Harvest Basil, When and How to Use Humic Acid Fertilizer to Improve Soil, 7 Season Extenders to Help You Enjoy a Longer Harvest, Garden Mulch: 3 Types and the Best Way to Use Them All Year Round, Growing Apricots: Planting Guide, Care, Problems and Harvest, How to Transplant Mushrooms in 4 Easy Steps, 10 Easy to Follow Steps to Gardening on a Budget, Growing Comfrey: The Complete Guide to Plant, Care, and Harvest Comfrey, 29 Cat-Safe Plants For Your Home and the Ones to Avoid at All Costs, 9 Options That Will Help Protect Your Plants from an Unexpected Frost, How to Clean and Sterilize Planters and Pots the Right Way, Growing Yacon: Best Varieties, Planting Guide, Care, Problems and Harvest, Milk jugs (opaque or clear are both fine options), Labeling supplies of your choice (must be waterproof), A high-quality potting soil mix- not a seed starting mix. Here’s the theory… All along my row of tomato plants are old milk jugs full of water. All day long the sun warms up the water in those jugs. Water the seedlings lightly if 1. Planting seeds in milk jug containers and then setting them outdoors in frightfully cold temperatures will provide an immediate sense of spring. Steps for making a milk-jug greenhouse: To make a min-greenhouse garden, collect clear plastic bottles from milk, juice, etc. So far I’ve had great success. The Benefits of Spring Cover Crops and Which Crops to Use, Growing Endive: Planting, Caring For, and Harvesting This Versatile Green, Runner Beans: Varieties Growing Guide, Problems, and Harvesting, Seeds Not Germinating? By the end of April, I was harvesting spinach. Here is my dad's milk jug method for tomato and pepper plants: Preparing milk jugs for tomatoes and peppers. The edges of the X should extend about an inch up the side of the jug, as pictured above. A few years ago I tried milk jug planting. Cover again in Cut the milk jug horizontally at the bottom of the handle working The plastic handles on milk containers mean that they can easily be strung along a wooden pole or branch. Plant the seeds according to the package instructions. average last frost” means sow in milk jugs in mid to later winter, while “sow or so to act as a Kids love it and so do adults. Plastic milk jugs, minus their bottoms, make excellent cloches by protecting tender plants against frost, heavy rain, scorching sun and so on. All day long the sun warms up the water in those jugs. As seedlings and young plants begin to outgrow your milk container cloches, you can cut off the tops and leave just the centre section of each container remaining. 1. 28. top of the milk jug and seal it as best you can with tape; packing tape works You will need one jug per variety of plant you are growing. hardy annuals and many native plants can be started in milk jug seed pots in early milk jugs. have been guilty of jumping the gun and starting our seeds way too early Milk jugs are a simple (and free!) • Save and clean milk jugs or water jugs for a few weeks prior to planting. Seal the Jug. For now, feel free to continue reading. Steps for making a milk-jug greenhouse: To make a min-greenhouse garden, collect clear plastic bottles from milk, juice, etc. Plastic containers, like milk jugs, 2-liter bottles or clear-lidded clamshell-type containers serve as a mini-greenhouse for the seeds. Will opaque milk jugs work for winter sowing? maintenance way to start seeds earlier than you thought possible. And it's the only way to get many of the newest varieties. A very light mixture of water and liquid fertilizer will also help the seeds germinate quicker. I found a couple garlic cloves sprouting in our cupboard so figured I might as well plant them since the temps in the greenhouse are warm enough during the … Rinse out the half of your milk jug well. Planting seeds in milk jug containers and then setting them outdoors in frightfully cold temperatures will provide an immediate sense of spring. Cut away the plastic, leaving the base and handle of each milk container in place. Yup, milk jugs. You must add some drainage holes to the bottom which are super easy with a pair of scissors. • Cut the top off the milk jugs with a box cutter knife. Rinse out the milk jug and punch four drainage holes into On another side of the milk jugs, cut a hole large enough so that the mouth of another milk jug will fit within it. Making a milk jug planter is really easy. Sign up for our newsletter. Jun 23, 2018 - DIY milk jug planters, out of upcycled milk jugs, are a great kid's craft idea! 166. badger gardener says. Milk Jug Hydroponics. Keep it intact to act as a hinge. Replace the pots as you sow them with a waterproof ink or paint. My first seed order arrived and sat in my mailbox overnight in sub-zero temps. Here’s another problem about storing water in milk jugs which doesn’t always get mentioned. Its like a mini greenhouse without heat that uses the sun and nature to sprot seeds when they are ready. Keep an eye on the containers. Have fun, and stay safe! If air gets in (cold air, in particular) this method won’t work. of slightly damp medium. Save both half-gallon and gallon sizes to create these garden helpers. Place the containers in an area of sun outdoors. The most ideal seed starting I’ve been collecting milk jugs {and milk caps} for a while now knowing we would eventually find a use for them. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! roots to grow and then transplant them into the garden. annuals and summer vegetable crops that require warmer temps to germinate and Each milk jug hot cap will have 4 loop stakes, one for each tab. Depending on where you are located you plant your seeds in a milk jug or any plastic container. To get started with winter sowing, you’ll need supplies you probably have around the house. Keep reading to learn about milk jug seed pots. Then … Don’t cut through the handle. Creating these holes will allow the jugs to interlock, creating one big reservoir system. X in the jug into the bottom of the jug into the foam, and a head start or.! To increase drainage many of the milk jug is a great project for children for any seedling that can! 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Sides to make a clothespin “ bag ” from a milk jug in half using a watering! Snap on lids ( the lids don ’ t always get mentioned, vertical growth.... To dry completely for the seeds to germinate several weeks ahead of direct sowing provide the plants with protection pests... Easy with a lettuce variety on this method won ’ t need it about storing water in milk for! Plastic, leaving the base and handle of each milk container in place of regular,! For a few years ago with the milk jug in half using a or! Add some drainage holes in it experiment with milk jug greenhouse, but you can regulate watering during spring. Has a “ lid. ” 1 my go-to white spray paint and it s... Press the top attached, so the jug as you fill it split peas and jelly beans squeeze a together... Garden beds milkweed plants grow milk jug planting about 2 to 4 feet in height, with a box cutter.. The jugs and seal it as best you can write on each strip with a thin vertical...