I learned how to winter sow because I didn’t have grow lights at the time. In short, winter sowing allows you to get a jump on nature, providing plants ready to plant, already hardened off.
Let’s get this party started!! Now is the perfect time to learn how to winter sow. It’s a long winter here in New Hampshire, so it scratches the gardening itch in the dead of winter. Ready to get started? Great!
The best part about winter sowing is that nature does most of the work. The jugs act like mini-greenhouses protecting the seeds until nature turns the corner. Then, the plants can grow under the protective cover of the milk jugs, and the seedlings harden off slowly and naturally. So when I built The Quick Turn Garden, I could fast forward the yard and garden rehab by using winter sowing to get perennials established in the landscaping.
How to Winter Sow – step-by-step instructions
First: Collect your materials
- Find that friend with 3 or 4 kids and ask them to save their plastic milk jugs for you. I’ve tried to collect jugs in multiple ways; this is by far the fastest and most productive way. You don’t want a few jugs; you’ll want dozens of winter-sown jugs!
- A bucket to mix the soil (I use a big Tupperware bucket)
- Get soil from your local nursery. A good quality seed starting (for aeration) and potting soil (for nutrients) will make a difference in your plants.
- You’ll need white duct tape (the cheap version works best)
- Plant markers and spray bottle (both can be found at the dollar store)
- Scissors, a permanent marker, and your list of seeds to plant
Second: Prepare your winter sowing jugs
- Throw away all the lids. You won’t need them.
- Drill 4 or 5 holes in the bottom for drainage. I’ve tried burning holes, using a knife, and just popping holes in jugs over the years – trust me, just get the drill out, and it’ll go much faster and easier.
- Cut ¾ around the jugs about 4″ up from the bottom. The jug should look like the top is held on by a hinge.
Third: Seed your winter sowing jugs
- Moisten all the soil before putting it in the jugs. Then fill the jugs ¾ of the bottom portion.
- Plant the seeds according to directions like you would plant a plastic four-pack. For example, if you’re planting wildflowers or herbs, plant the whole jug in one pot and seed the entire jug.
- Tap the soil for good seed and soil contact, just like regular planting.
- Spray with water to push out the air from the soil, just like regular planting.
Fourth: Seal your winter sowing jugs
- LABEL your jugs. This is super important because you’ll think you recognize the seedlings, but, well, ya know, you won’t. I’ve tried many labeling strategies because a permanent marker is not permanent after being out in the weather! I’ve written on the jugs, which have worn off. I’ve written on duct tape on the jugs, which fades – but only sometimes. So what I do now is write on a plant marker and place it INSIDE the jug. It’s a little harder to see, and your neighbors will wonder why you keep squatting over your jugs – but at least you’ll know what you have grown when you open them!
- Seal your jugs. This can be tricky – here’s a tip: cut a few strips of 1-2″ pieces of duct tape and use it to keep your jugs closed. Then cut a strip long enough to wrap around the jug and seal the entire hinge shut.
Fifth: Set and forget your winter sowing jugs outside
No, seriously. Place your jugs in your yard in what would be a full sun location if it were summer – and forget about them. Don’t fuss over snow or rain. This is nature’s job.
Tip: if you are in a windy location, line them up and put a stick or some other long plant support through all the handles.
Sixth: Watch closely in spring
When temperatures start to warm, watch your jugs. If there is condensation inside, you’re fine. However, if they begin to dry out due to a warm spring with no rain p and the soil cracks and you haven’t gotten any rain, water them from the bottom. You can water them one at a time with a bucket or use a large Tupperware storage bucket to water multiple jugs simultaneously.
Seventh: Open the jugs
When the plants emerge in the spring, open the jugs during the day and tape them back closed at night with a little piece of tape.
Tips and Tricks to Winter Sowing
Just use the semi-translucent gallon milk jugs. Other translucent colors, thicknesses, and sizes of jugs just don’t work the same. Over the last decade-plus, I’ve tried them all. So make it easy on yourself; get the same old traditional milk jugs.
The best part? No need to harden them off. When your seed packets say to transplant, that’s when you can plant your winter sown plants.
I love to winter sow perennial plants and wildflower seeds. Do you winter sow? If you have winter sown before, what are your favorite plants to winter sow?
Enjoy!
~ Lola
“There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments!”
Have you tried winter sowing? If you decide to give it a whirl, let us know what you think!
Materials to start Winter Sowing Jugs
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Gardens we’ve built
Why I Garden; if you grow it, they will eat it
Community Oasis Garden; exploring the passion
The Gardening Passion Expands; the garden that created a bidding war
Quick Turn Garden; two years and counting
The Empty Nest Garden; totally out of control
Coops we’ve built
How NOT to Build a Chicken Coop
The Bored Engineer’s Coop
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