How to Use Milk Jugs to Grow Plants From Seed

Using recycled containers to grow plants from seeds can save you a lot of money. The "Winter Sowing" method takes this approach of using recycled containers to grow plants from seeds and places the containers outdoors. I highly recommend this method and more information about winter sowing can be found at www.wintersown.org. These steps only describe how I prepare a milk jug, but a similar process can be followed for using other kinds of recycled containers.

Poke holes in bottom of jug.

Start with a clean empty one gallon milk jug and discard the cap. The air hole is needed for air ventilation.
Turn the jug upside down and poke five drainage holes in the bottom with an awl or other tool. Then poke one hole on each lower side of the jug. Be careful not to poke yourself.

Cut around the jug for access to the inside.

Then with a sharp pair of scissors or other tool, cut 7/8 around the middle of the jug, leaving at least three inches on the bottom half of the jug. Be careful not to cut yourself.

Prepared milk jug.

Fill the bottom of the jug with about three inches of potting soil. Water the soil, and add seeds. Label the container so you can remember what kind of seeds you planted.

Jug is closed.

Either duct tape the container closed, or cut a slit above and below the access point (see photo) so you can fold the pieces together to keep the jug closed.

Put the jug outside, check periodically to see if it needs water, or to see if you have any sprouts. Transplant the sprouts when they have their first set of true leaves (their second set). This is a simplified explanation of the winter sowing method. It describes how I prepare my milk jugs for growing plants. There are many variations on using milk jugs for growing plants. For more details, visit www.wintersown.org. You may also use milk jugs for growing plants indoors, but I've personally had so much success with the outdoor method that I don't grow plants indoors anymore. I'm in zone 5, and my milk jugs go outside in January in the snow. The seeds begin to sprout in late March, early April, and I transplant them in May/June.