MILK JUG SEED PLANTING ~ Presented by Karen Pacey

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 .

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 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!

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.􀁇􀀃􀁅􀁈􀀃􀁘􀁖􀁈􀁇􀀑

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

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