Claiming school project is my back-up/held-in-reserve approach.

Love the homeless idea!

Luckily, most of the jugs I scored were water jugs which are always much cleaner. I washed them out with bleach water last night and hung them up with baling twine on our clothesline to dry.

They are clear plastic and shaped like a "shedds spread" container but big, a gallon prob. I have no idea what they were originally for maybe a pot liner. My Dad has 4 cases of them he got at a lot auction....he uses them in the garage. Anyway, if I cut slits in one they slide together pretty snuggly. I've used them around the yard with petunias and periwinkles.

What do ya'll think? Would I be better off with the jugs?

Thanks!

- they hold plenty of growing mix (at least 4 inches when wet) for the roots;
- plenty of head room for the sprouts; and
- the handles make them easy to pick up and allow the winter sower to peer down the opening when checking for sprout activity.

If your buckets give you those features, there's no reason you can't use them. I guess I'd wonder if they might make getting the sprouts out when the time comes a little difficult. The milk jugs are opened and the plastic is thin enough it can be cut away from the HOS (hunk o'seedlings) when it comes time to plant out. Have you thought about how you'll get the sprouts out of the buckets?

The handle is a good point too. I have arthritis and I always try to find an easier way to handle things.

I think I will start to collect some jugs and supplement with the buckets. I always try to follow the "receipe" exactly ... the first time. After that I change as the whim strikes me and experiment like crazy.

My hope is to be able to get plants from seed so I am not "hostage" to whatever the garden centers have thats not already picked over. This year I am starting with my basic stuff and if it works out well I am going to order more specialized seeds for the next year. I have tried and tried to grow from seed and the only ones that survive are the direct sowed ones.

Chances are you'll be very happy with your WS results. Here's what my Y2 WS jugs looked like in June:

Everything in both pots & jug bottoms was WS:

2011 WS jugs on breezeway

I've seen pictures where some folks place their WS jugs on raised surfaces right from the get go--it's whatever works best for you. The main thing is to be sure they're out where they can get rained/snowed on. Only part of my breezeway is covered so the open area is perfect for WS jugs.

Lupine seed sprouting

Phlox paniculata/tall garden phlox 'David'

Penstemon/beardtongue

Trollius ledebouri/Chinese globeflower

WS jugs on folding table opened on a warm, sunny day

Flats fly in the breeze because they weigh too little. Water equals weight. If you know there are some strong breezes or gusts coming your way then water your flats well. If a severe storm is coming then take the flats to an unheated garage, shed or the trunk of your car. After the storm passes you put the flats back outside where they were.

Winter Sowing is highly adaptable, it was written to be that way. People are experts on their own needs and uses of the method, they are experts on their own backyard environment. Keep all that in mind when you plan your own Winter Sowing. What works for someone may not work for someone else because of their personal environment, needs and knowledge.

You'll find countless dialogues about containers. Quite honestly, the seeds don't know what they're sown in so choice is not a factor in germination. What matters is good sowing medium--I like fertilizer enhanced potting soil, you need depth--at least three inches otherwise you risk the soil drying out unless you want to water almost daily (ugh), and finally, you need a safe site for the container--someplace animals or humans can't disturb them.

T