WS Container

ROFLMAO!!! Amen!!

Thanks for the great advice kqcrna. I was have done quite a few jugs and was worried that I did something wrong. I am definitely learning as I go!

Mel

mellymass: We all learn as we go, this is good. Except for a few basic principles, like good drainage and some ventilation, you are limited only by your imagination. Wintersowers come up with all kinds of unique containers to fit their needs. If it works for you, it's good to use. And most of us, after a year or two, have favorite containers because we know what has worked well for us and is doable.

Karen

Hi all you are still giving me info I need it seems.
Karen--what is this about ventilation holes? where do they go and how many?
In case you are wondering why I don't go to Winter sow org...I did..but it is very difficult for my eyes to cover all that info. My son got me a new monitor in Oct and I can make Dave's sight messages quite large so they are easy to read. I
can't make WS lines as big.
Thanks to you all for adding to this posy.
Helen
PS Now I see why I had no germination in my one container attempt last year. I had a swimming pool of slime green and black. I wondered where the seed had gone as by mid spring I felt through the dirt for it went (It was 1 tree peony seed I recd. as a gift with a trade.) So it rotted;;eh?
Duh, duh' and quadruple duh.

gammy: You need drainage holes on the bottom AND ventilation holes on the top. How many and where will depend on the type of container. With milk jugs, just throw away the screw on lid and that opening will let rain/snow in and humid or too-hot air out of the container. This is very important. As the air temperature rises in spring add more and more holes to the top. Then remove the top (like the whole top half of a milk jug) when temperatures are right.

With other types of containers you will probably have to cut holes in your lid.

Karen

I took an old woodburning set and melted the most perfect size drain holes(4) in the bottom of those plastic jugs. I sure hope it works. I even melted the sides back together. For me, half the fun is experimenting with the whole process. It is even more enjoyable because of all the expert advice available from DGers☺

Use your fingers to check to soil for moisture, if after a couple of days it still feels too wet, you need more drain holes. I use an old pair of kitchen shears and just poke some more holes in the container.

gammy, if you want to increase the text size in the treads, go up to the top on your browser where it says view....scroll down to text and over and increase it as much as you need :)

After using everything from a screwdriver to a nut pick to make holes, I finally bought a cheap soldering iron. Works so much easier. It doesn't smoke too much. If I can, I do all my bottles at once outside.

I have used a knife, icepick, scissors, and soldering iron in the past. This year I used a drill. (And, yes, I did drill my finger.) DUH!!!

Necia

You can get a glue gun and they go thru milk jugs really easy they are cheap at the dollar store and put a hole or two at the top of your container just for air when it starts warming up.

I go to my recycle center and get jugs they are getting to know me pretty well lol

Lea

Hey, that 's good information, LeBug, thanks :)

I find the quickest, easiest thing is a utility knife. I just slice and twist a little. I have also used an ice pick but that's slow and the holes are small so I usually end up making more slits anyway for bigger openings.

Karen

Okay, I had to laugh a couple of times at these messages! :) I just made my holes today. I used a soldering iron. Last year, I used the knife-rather scary. The soldering iron worked wonderful. I put lots of holes in the bottom of my milk jugs. I'd rather water more often than have to punch more holes. Next, I am going to make markers with blinds. I'm doing this in stages. One day get the jugs and wash. Next, holes, and fill with starter soil. I finished cleaning all my seeds yesterday. I am a little slow. This fall just went too fast. I had so many things I had to tidy up in the gardens. Actually, the winter is going by fast also!

If anyone is interested, I created these directions on how I wintersow. http://www.lakehousecreations.com/wintersowing_directions.htm

Excellent information and well illustrated, Anitabryk2. Hope you've added to the DG winter sowing database.

I'll do it as I go. It would take too long to add all my stuff from last year.

Ok, now you've given me another job to do. I put holes in the bottoms of everything, but not sure they are big enough, so here I go checking them and putting bigger holes. #*^##!!!

Anitabryk2 .....your directions make it seem so simple...thanks for adding the pics...they are always so helpful.

What do you use to put holes in the 2 litre water and coke bottles and stuff.
The only way I can do it is with a drill and it's not always around. There has to be another way!

I've read the hot tip of a glue gun works, without the glue.

I use a utility knife

Let's see, I probably shouldn't use a knife, I'd stab myself, probably burn myself with hot glue gun. MMMMMM Oh well, at least I'll have drainage holes.
Seriously, thank you. I have both, just never thought about it. Of course everyone knows with a glue gun you can do anything