So glad I read your post! Was about to throw out some kitty litter containers!

Do you just keep the bottom, and plastic bag it?

I'm using 1 gal vinegar jugs for my 1st projects. They are whitish opaque so I think they will work. I use loads of vinegar as I clean the house with it.....

Why didn't the 2 liter bottles work...I saved quite a few from the Christmas Day Dinner. I was hoping to use them?

T- bird I use a dremel drill to cut open my jugs. It is a round blade with teeth it makes the bottom holes and I cut like 4 inches to the bottom or the line that goes around the milk jugs, still using the back hinge with the handle to carry them around with. It so fast with the dremel to do those heavy plastic containers.

Kitty litter jugs come with my use of kitty litter and last more then one year.

ML

Two-liter bottles work fine--lots of folks use them exclusively. The trick is to cut a vertical slit on the top half so you can push it down into the potting mix in the bottom.

The only reason I don't use them is I really like the handles on the milk jugs that let me lift them to peer down the opening checking for sprouts and also when I need to move them for any reason.

i love 2 liters. I just cut a hinge top and use a small piece of duct tape to secure the other side. that way i can pick them up and move them if I have to.

I assume the little horsey is saddled up for when the green wave rides north?

Gardenweed, what do you mean by this?:

"The trick is to cut a vertical slit on the top half so you can push it down into the potting mix in the bottom."

Pros of 2 G milk containers is you have bigger area compare to 2L bottle. So you can get more seeds or they are not as crammed in.

The cons of milk jug is they are not transparent, so you can see without lifting the handle.

I wish they made transparent milk containers, that would be perfect, you can more area and you will be able to readily see what's going on. Anyone know of any place where you can get transparent containers similar to milk jug please chime in.

Lemonade from Chick-fil A comes in clear gallon containers.

I think their iced tea does too.

Gallon milk jugs are my favorite, cut the usual way with a hinge and closed with a vertical strip or 2 of duct tape.

Next favorite is 2 liters. I cut the top off completely, and cut 2 upside down "Vs" in the bottom of the top half. After sowing, push the top down over the bottom. As temps rise in spring, pull up on the top and the "Vs" form windows on the side for more ventilation.

Karen

ssmdgardener - I just hold the top half of the bottle by the spout and make a straight cut up towards the top about 2-3 inches. I make two cuts opposite each other. This allows the top to squeeze together enough that it'll go down the inside of the bottom half.

Hi everyone!
I posted this on another thread and thought I'd share it here too.

Over the years, I have found many types of containers that I love, and some I can even reuse for multiple years. They are also free. I know you might not have time to collect some of these for free this year, but maybe next year. I collect mine throughout the year and stash them in the garage. Anyway, here's a blog post I wrote last year with container ideas. Hope it helps...

Amy

Here is a link that might be useful: Containers for winter sowing

I have used many types of containers. Currently my favorites are the 2 LTR bottles (cut in a similar way as described by kcqrna) and assorted sizes of plastic cups. They are easy to use, AND re-use - they hold up for years. One of the problems with milk jugs is that the plastic gets brittle after a season or two or the container gets all cut up trying to remove the seedlings. I am not into collecting, cleaning, and cutting new containers every year.

I used to use a lot of the large clear plastic salad boxes that held the mesclun mix, and still use a couple. However I know use almost all of those for raising butterflies. They make a great rearing container for butterfly caterpillars.

I drink spring water so I use the gal jugs for my ws. These jugs are more transparent than milk jugs.

terrene - it's great to know that 2 liter bottles hold up for more that on season! I am also not a fan of collecting and preparing new containers every year. It goes so much faster when I can reuse my containers. Thanks for pointing that out!! I think I will try a few 2 liters this year.

Amy