CHECK OUT OUR GARDENING BLOG / TIPS page

Home
ABOUT US
  • CLUB HISTORY
  • IN THE NEWS
  • AWARDS
  • MEMBERSHIP
  • CONTACT US
  • OFFICERS
  • LINKS
  • BY LAWS
  • STANDING RULES
  • PREVIOUS IN THE NEWS
  • FALL 2023 GARDEN THERAPY
MEETINGS + EVENTS
  • EVENTS & PROGRAMS
  • GARDEN THERAPY SESSIONS
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • MEETINGS
  • PREVIOUS PARADE EVENTS
Photo Gallery
  • COMMUNINTY GARDENS PHOTOS
  • MEMBERS GARDEN PHOTOS
  • GARDEN WALK PHOTOS
  • MONARCH GARDEN
  • GARDEN CLUB EVENT PHOTOS
  • GARDEN QUOTES
HOW TO / Tips
  • Sharpening Garden Tools
  • Spring- Ephemerals
  • FALL CLEAN-UP OR NOT
  • HOLIDAY CACTUS HOW TO
  • CHRISTMAS PLANTS & MORE!
  • Pollinators to Gardens
  • Container Gardens How To
  • PLANTING SEEDS
  • Chocolate Scented Flowers
  • SEED STARTER MILK JUGS
  • INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES
  • SETTNG UP A BEE HIVE
  • HELP SAVE THE BEES
  • CAUTION - JUMPING WORMS
  • THE IRIS ~ HOW TO GROW
  • ORCHID GUIDE
  • VERTICAL ANNUAL VINES
  • FORCING SPRNG BRANCHES
  • GARDENING TRENDS FOR 2022
  • WINTER INTEREST PLANTS
  • HOUSEPLANT APPRECIATION
  • HABITAT CLEAN-UP
  • HOW TO WINTERIZE DAHLIAS
  • MONARCH BUTTERFLIES
  • GROWING DAYLILIES
  • APHID TRAP ~ EASY
  • BEEBALM / MONARDA
  • HYDRANGEAS DEMYSTIFIED
  • CLEMATIS ~ HOW TO...
  • GROWING PEONIES
VIDEO Gallery
Des Plaines IL, Garden Club
Home
ABOUT US
  • CLUB HISTORY
  • IN THE NEWS
  • AWARDS
  • MEMBERSHIP
  • CONTACT US
  • OFFICERS
  • LINKS
  • BY LAWS
  • STANDING RULES
  • PREVIOUS IN THE NEWS
  • FALL 2023 GARDEN THERAPY
MEETINGS + EVENTS
  • EVENTS & PROGRAMS
  • GARDEN THERAPY SESSIONS
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • MEETINGS
  • PREVIOUS PARADE EVENTS
Photo Gallery
  • COMMUNINTY GARDENS PHOTOS
  • MEMBERS GARDEN PHOTOS
  • GARDEN WALK PHOTOS
  • MONARCH GARDEN
  • GARDEN CLUB EVENT PHOTOS
  • GARDEN QUOTES
HOW TO / Tips
  • Sharpening Garden Tools
  • Spring- Ephemerals
  • FALL CLEAN-UP OR NOT
  • HOLIDAY CACTUS HOW TO
  • CHRISTMAS PLANTS & MORE!
  • Pollinators to Gardens
  • Container Gardens How To
  • PLANTING SEEDS
  • Chocolate Scented Flowers
  • SEED STARTER MILK JUGS
  • INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES
  • SETTNG UP A BEE HIVE
  • HELP SAVE THE BEES
  • CAUTION - JUMPING WORMS
  • THE IRIS ~ HOW TO GROW
  • ORCHID GUIDE
  • VERTICAL ANNUAL VINES
  • FORCING SPRNG BRANCHES
  • GARDENING TRENDS FOR 2022
  • WINTER INTEREST PLANTS
  • HOUSEPLANT APPRECIATION
  • HABITAT CLEAN-UP
  • HOW TO WINTERIZE DAHLIAS
  • MONARCH BUTTERFLIES
  • GROWING DAYLILIES
  • APHID TRAP ~ EASY
  • BEEBALM / MONARDA
  • HYDRANGEAS DEMYSTIFIED
  • CLEMATIS ~ HOW TO...
  • GROWING PEONIES
VIDEO Gallery
More
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
    • CLUB HISTORY
    • IN THE NEWS
    • AWARDS
    • MEMBERSHIP
    • CONTACT US
    • OFFICERS
    • LINKS
    • BY LAWS
    • STANDING RULES
    • PREVIOUS IN THE NEWS
    • FALL 2023 GARDEN THERAPY
  • MEETINGS + EVENTS
    • EVENTS & PROGRAMS
    • GARDEN THERAPY SESSIONS
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • MEETINGS
    • PREVIOUS PARADE EVENTS
  • Photo Gallery
    • COMMUNINTY GARDENS PHOTOS
    • MEMBERS GARDEN PHOTOS
    • GARDEN WALK PHOTOS
    • MONARCH GARDEN
    • GARDEN CLUB EVENT PHOTOS
    • GARDEN QUOTES
  • HOW TO / Tips
    • Sharpening Garden Tools
    • Spring- Ephemerals
    • FALL CLEAN-UP OR NOT
    • HOLIDAY CACTUS HOW TO
    • CHRISTMAS PLANTS & MORE!
    • Pollinators to Gardens
    • Container Gardens How To
    • PLANTING SEEDS
    • Chocolate Scented Flowers
    • SEED STARTER MILK JUGS
    • INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES
    • SETTNG UP A BEE HIVE
    • HELP SAVE THE BEES
    • CAUTION - JUMPING WORMS
    • THE IRIS ~ HOW TO GROW
    • ORCHID GUIDE
    • VERTICAL ANNUAL VINES
    • FORCING SPRNG BRANCHES
    • GARDENING TRENDS FOR 2022
    • WINTER INTEREST PLANTS
    • HOUSEPLANT APPRECIATION
    • HABITAT CLEAN-UP
    • HOW TO WINTERIZE DAHLIAS
    • MONARCH BUTTERFLIES
    • GROWING DAYLILIES
    • APHID TRAP ~ EASY
    • BEEBALM / MONARDA
    • HYDRANGEAS DEMYSTIFIED
    • CLEMATIS ~ HOW TO...
    • GROWING PEONIES
  • VIDEO Gallery
  • Sign In
  • Create Account

  • My Account
  • Signed in as:

  • filler@godaddy.com


  • My Account
  • Sign out

Des Plaines IL, Garden Club

Signed in as:

filler@godaddy.com

  • Home
  • ABOUT US
    • CLUB HISTORY
    • IN THE NEWS
    • AWARDS
    • MEMBERSHIP
    • CONTACT US
    • OFFICERS
    • LINKS
    • BY LAWS
    • STANDING RULES
    • PREVIOUS IN THE NEWS
    • FALL 2023 GARDEN THERAPY
  • MEETINGS + EVENTS
    • EVENTS & PROGRAMS
    • GARDEN THERAPY SESSIONS
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • MEETINGS
    • PREVIOUS PARADE EVENTS
  • Photo Gallery
    • COMMUNINTY GARDENS PHOTOS
    • MEMBERS GARDEN PHOTOS
    • GARDEN WALK PHOTOS
    • MONARCH GARDEN
    • GARDEN CLUB EVENT PHOTOS
    • GARDEN QUOTES
  • HOW TO / Tips
    • Sharpening Garden Tools
    • Spring- Ephemerals
    • FALL CLEAN-UP OR NOT
    • HOLIDAY CACTUS HOW TO
    • CHRISTMAS PLANTS & MORE!
    • Pollinators to Gardens
    • Container Gardens How To
    • PLANTING SEEDS
    • Chocolate Scented Flowers
    • SEED STARTER MILK JUGS
    • INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES
    • SETTNG UP A BEE HIVE
    • HELP SAVE THE BEES
    • CAUTION - JUMPING WORMS
    • THE IRIS ~ HOW TO GROW
    • ORCHID GUIDE
    • VERTICAL ANNUAL VINES
    • FORCING SPRNG BRANCHES
    • GARDENING TRENDS FOR 2022
    • WINTER INTEREST PLANTS
    • HOUSEPLANT APPRECIATION
    • HABITAT CLEAN-UP
    • HOW TO WINTERIZE DAHLIAS
    • MONARCH BUTTERFLIES
    • GROWING DAYLILIES
    • APHID TRAP ~ EASY
    • BEEBALM / MONARDA
    • HYDRANGEAS DEMYSTIFIED
    • CLEMATIS ~ HOW TO...
    • GROWING PEONIES
  • VIDEO Gallery

Account


  • My Account
  • Sign out


  • Sign In
  • My Account

MILK JUG SEED PLANTING ~ Presented by Karen Pacey

PREPARING THE MILK JUG

Marking the Milk Jug & Cutting

Marking the Milk Jug & Cutting

STEP #1

Start with a CLEAN Milk Jug

 Don’t want bacteria from previous use

to grow in the container.

 Caution: don’t grow anything edible in a

windshield wiper fluid jug. (chemicals!)

 Should be semi-transparent.

 Don’t use solid or color containers.

 Don’t use containers that tip over

easily – 2 liter bottles don’t work well.

 Use one that h

STEP #1

Start with a CLEAN Milk Jug

 Don’t want bacteria from previous use

to grow in the container.

 Caution: don’t grow anything edible in a

windshield wiper fluid jug. (chemicals!)

 Should be semi-transparent.

 Don’t use solid or color containers.

 Don’t use containers that tip over

easily – 2 liter bottles don’t work well.

 Use one that holds 3-4” of soil – small

butter tubs are not ideal for this project.

STEP #2

Making Drain Holes in the Bottom

 Punch 4 holes, 1/4 each, in the bottom

of the milk jug for drainage. Use a Phillips screwdriver  Note: The screwdriver can be heated over a flame to make it easier to punch holes (not necessary or recommended!)

 OR  Can use a small power drill .

Marking the Milk Jug & Cutting

Marking the Milk Jug & Cutting

Marking the Milk Jug & Cutting

STEP #3

Marking the Milk Jug to Cut a Straight Line

(This will help a lot in cutting a straight line!)  The marks should be 3-4” up from the bottom of the milk jug.

(The sample above is 3.5” from the bottom)  Start marking just Right of the handle.  Mark at various points around the milk jug.   End marking just Left of the handle.

STEP #4

Cutt

STEP #3

Marking the Milk Jug to Cut a Straight Line

(This will help a lot in cutting a straight line!)  The marks should be 3-4” up from the bottom of the milk jug.

(The sample above is 3.5” from the bottom)  Start marking just Right of the handle.  Mark at various points around the milk jug.   End marking just Left of the handle.

STEP #4

Cutting the Milk Jug Horizontally

IMPORTANT: DO NOT CUT THE PART DIRECTLY  UNDERNEATH THE HANDLE. THIS PART BECOMES THE

“HINGE”

 START cutting (horizontally) just right of the handle.   Following the markings, cut around the milk jug as straight as

possible. (If it’s a bit crooked, don’t worry – won’t hurt anything.)  STOP at the last marking, just left of the handle.

S TEP #5

Your Milk Jug is ready for Planting and should look like this!  At this point, make sure you remove the cap from the milk jug!

Labeling & Planting

Marking the Milk Jug & Cutting

SOIL RECOMMENDATIONS

LABELING THE MILK JUG

 On each milk jug, indicate with a permanent marker, the seed variety and the date sown.   Do not omit this step!

 There’s nothing worse than finding, in spring, dozens of miniature greenhouses brimming with seedlings,

and not knowing what they are!


SEALING THE CUT SEAM ON THE MILK JUG

  Seal the cut seam around the mil

LABELING THE MILK JUG

 On each milk jug, indicate with a permanent marker, the seed variety and the date sown.   Do not omit this step!

 There’s nothing worse than finding, in spring, dozens of miniature greenhouses brimming with seedlings,

and not knowing what they are!


SEALING THE CUT SEAM ON THE MILK JUG

  Seal the cut seam around the milk jug, making it airtight, 

       Duct or packaging tape seems to work the best (avoid masking and painter’s tape)

Your greenhouse, once it is planted, is then ready to brave the outdoor elements.

Select a location that is safe from strong wind but where sun, rain and snow will be freely available.  

(They can be kept in a shady area, too. You will need to check on them periodically and mist them through the top hole if they seem dry.)


TRANSPLANT YOUR NEW SEEDLINGS

 When ready (according to seed packet directions), transplant the seedlings.

 Enjoy Your New Plants!

SOIL RECOMMENDATIONS

WHAT TO PLANT AND WHEN

SOIL RECOMMENDATIONS

It is usually recommended that you use seed starting mix.  Unfortunately it can be difficult and expensive to buy seed starting mix in large enough quantities to fill several milk jugs to a 2'' depth.  For that reason, you may wish to use amended potting mix or better yet make you own seed starting mix.  NOTE: Garden Soil will be too dens

It is usually recommended that you use seed starting mix.  Unfortunately it can be difficult and expensive to buy seed starting mix in large enough quantities to fill several milk jugs to a 2'' depth.  For that reason, you may wish to use amended potting mix or better yet make you own seed starting mix.  NOTE: Garden Soil will be too dense for good root development because there is usually no or low organic material in the soil. And may dry out too quickly or offer poor drainage.􀁇􀀃􀁅􀁈􀀃􀁘􀁖􀁈􀁇􀀑

WHAT TO PLANT AND WHEN

WHAT TO PLANT AND WHEN

WHAT TO PLANT AND WHEN

Hardy Perennials, Hardy Annuals 

January to mid February.

Such as butterfly weed, milkweed, columbine, evening primrose, salvia, sage, and bee balm.


Tender Perennials / Cold Crop Vegetables

Mid February to March

Such as broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, and many herbs such as thyme, oregano, parsley, some tomato varieties, (like heirlooms), ma

Hardy Perennials, Hardy Annuals 

January to mid February.

Such as butterfly weed, milkweed, columbine, evening primrose, salvia, sage, and bee balm.


Tender Perennials / Cold Crop Vegetables

Mid February to March

Such as broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, and many herbs such as thyme, oregano, parsley, some tomato varieties, (like heirlooms), marigold, hollyhock, echinacea, inpatients, zinnia and beets.


Tender Annuals /Summer Vegetables

March to April

These are plants that require warmer temperatures to germinate and usually don't reach maturity until late summer.

Such as peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, melon, sunflowers and basil.


These plants should be direct sown in your garden when the ground permits and can be covered with a milk jug top for an earlier start

GROWING METHOD

WHAT TO PLANT AND WHEN

WHAT TO PLANT AND WHEN

Check regularly when day time temps remain around or above 40 degrees (remember the temps inside the jug may be as much as 10 degrees higher)


Make sure the soil is kept most


Once the seedlings have emerged you may wish to cover the milk jugs with a blanket if the temps drop below freezing at night. 


When the daytime temps approach 50 to 60 d

Check regularly when day time temps remain around or above 40 degrees (remember the temps inside the jug may be as much as 10 degrees higher)


Make sure the soil is kept most


Once the seedlings have emerged you may wish to cover the milk jugs with a blanket if the temps drop below freezing at night. 


When the daytime temps approach 50 to 60 degrees it is time to unseal the containers and flip back the top so you do not cook your seedlings 

Don't forget to cover at night depending on the night temps.


Transplant the seedlings when they have developed two true leaves.  You may wish to up pot the plants gradually to allow them to build strong roots before planting in the ground

  • CLUB HISTORY
  • AWARDS
  • CONTACT US
  • LINKS
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • GARDEN WALK PHOTOS
  • GARDEN CLUB EVENT PHOTOS
  • Members only

Des Plaines IL Garden Club

PO Box 1461, Des Plaines, IL 60017

Copyright © 2023 Des Plaines IL Garden Club - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder

GARDEN THERAPY UPDATES:

Our Des Plaines Garden Club’s Garden Therapy Group has been busy with three Fall Crafting events. They went to the 

* Lee Manor in Des Plaines IL on September 27th

* On October 10th, 2023, to Oakton Pavillion

* On October 11th, 2023 to Oakton ArmsPavillion