So many possibilities!

A flat can be made from anything that will hold up to the climate without rotting away or breaking down from the effects of fluctuating winter temperatures and the sun's rays. Flats need to have drains so excess moisture can seep out....the soil should never remain muddy.

The recyclable you choose to make your flat with may come with a clear lid. Otherwise a lid can be improvised from sheer plastic. Lids need to have vents to provide air-transpiration. The vents allow for excess warmth to rise up and away from the soil. Vents also allow melting snow or rain to seep inside which helps keep the soil moist so the seeds won't dry out.

At our house we get a lot of takeout--you need to use a hot knife or a drill to puncture the top for vents. When you're melting plastic remember to keep a close-by window or exterior door open to vent out the fumes which can give you a bit of a headache and/or make your drapes stink.

Here are some images:

Other Sources for Images:

iVillage/GardenWeb Winter Sowing Forum Gallery

WinterSown.Org Galleries (scroll down to Making Container)

Google Image Search ~ "Winter Sowing" + Containers

I encourage Winter Sowers to add their own photos and methods to this thread, we all learn from each other.

T

Filled and ready.

In the yard.

And before anyone starts in about how organized and tidy it all seems....

Plunk and run. It's how I roll. :)

-StLGirl

Now I use a soldering iron to drill my holes. It takes a little longer than token's method, but I'm still a little weary of certain tools after that pain of that hole in my hand!

Last year I used any kind of clear plastic container I could find. This year I'm going to mostly use 20 oz clear solo cups with the lids on top. They sell beverages in the cafe at work and I've been saving them for over a year now - I've got a ton of them! I'll put the plastic cups in those flats you get from the nursery that will hold 8-12 per flat. This will make it easier to water them. I'll also be using 4 inch pots, 6 pack cell packs and 18 pack cell packs. I'm planning to use rubbermaid type storage boxes and clear blanket bags for those. I think it will help to to sow a lot more varieties and not take up as much space.

Of course my alyssums are being sown in cake pans (the ones from store bought cakes), lasagna pans and empty cat litter containers. That's just because I love alyssum so much and want it everywhere!

For watering, I purchased a simply mortar mix pan that's about 2 x 3 feet for $4 at Lowe's. I put water in the bottom, put a flat in and let it soak in. Then I move on to the next flat. That worked really well for me this year and you can't beat $4!

I sowed over 650 last year and hope to reach 1000 this year. It's so exciting and easy! Thanks Trudi for all the great resources and for welcoming the input of others in their experiences! I'll be sure to post some pictures to share once I get started this year!

Diana