This works for me. I don't write on the bottles or tape anything. I use the seed packet in a zip/lock bag and put it under the soil facing outwards. It's amazing how easy it ease to read the info. This way I can use my bottles next year again and not have to worry about the old writing still being there or coming off the bottle. If the seed packet isn't empty, I just write the name on a piece of paper and then do the same thing by placing it in and putting soil around it.
That's very clever! Thanks for sharing:-)
Good idea......darn it! I already have mine 'sown' this year or in the process of sowing...you know what I mean.
Writing this down for next year.
LOL. I had already done about 5 containers and then this idea came to me. I was so glad to stop using tape or my Sharpies. I hope our weather will stay cool. It got up to 72 last week and the next day the high was 30. You never know in Tennessee.
I just mark each container numerically near the bottom on one side, then face it north so it doesn't fade too much. Then I keep a list in the house.
I just write on the milk jug with paint pen and it doesn't fade. I have some in-ground labels that are 2 years old with no fading.
Karen
I have w.s. for 5 years and use recycled mini blind slats that I have written on with either a regular #2 pencil or a perm. marker and I stick that right in the jug before sealing the jug with duct tape. Works good for me. So far this winter I have 65 jugs out there but would have had more if I had drank more 2 liter bottles of pop. I get all the recycled ones for a nickle each at the store. I put 4 seeds per bottle and have lots to share come late spring.
The reason I use this method is so I don't have to buy anything. I use zip/lock bags to put the seed packet into, but I can wash them off and reuse them each year. I also don't like the number method because one year I lost my list and had no idea what the numbers were anymore. I guess everyone has their method, but I though some people might want to try this. I started planting the entire packet of seeds because I plan on giving away the extra plants this spring and/or selling some of them. I just figured instead of throwing away the packet I could use it for a label.
Great idea! I'm giving wintersowing a try for the first time this year. I'll use your labeling method - clever. Thanks for sharing.
Great Idea!!!! Another use for the 'zip lock queen as my SIL calls me. Whatever works for "YOU" is what I always say.
I've been sitting here quietly reading for weeks now, saving ideas, but, still haven't planted anything. I figure for East TN, I'm ok. We had frosts around Memorial Day last year.
Are your jugs in a box or anything? on one of those infamous posts, someone said she put everything down in a box and it helped keep moisture at the bottom of the jugs but would eventually drain. kept them from blowing away. but I didnt know if she did that for milk jugs too.
I don't put mine in anything. They are just sitting on the ground in some leaves. They don't appear to have dried out yet either. I think the moisture condenses on the sides and runs back down.
I write with Sharpies on the outside - then face the label north.
Michaela, we're birds of a feather!
nannie - you had frost end of May in TN? Wow! My brother lives in Murphreesboro and didn't have a problem.
Another thing I have found about WSing: I prefer the milk jugs for a couple of reasons. They're easier to drill the holes into and easier to cut than the soda bottles.
I am trying something super easy. I bought three large plastic storage containers and had DH drill holes in the bottoms and lids.
Then I have LOTS of 5 inch deep plastic nursery pots and lots of 16 ounce clear plastic tumblers - filled each with 4" plus of damp potting soil and put them in the plastic storage containers, locked down the lids, and carried them outside and placed them in the snow. I have 42 different seeds sowed with no fuss - no muss - and my backyard looks tidier than last year. And just as important - I am not tempted to start 161 containers like I did last year ( . . . well I got a bit carried away . . . )
Seandor,
How many of the 161 containers that you sowed last year grew and how many did you get planted? Were they successful in the bed after you planted them?
Bonnie
Oh my gosh . . . well, when you have that many seedlings all needing to be planted and/or transplanted at the same time anything like keeping records is simply tossed out the window.
First, some stuff emerges early -when soil temperatures are in the 50s. So they are easy to deal with. It's when you get busy with stuff and you forget you have another 30 or so containers to care for, that the rest start to germinate!
I was having stuff germinate in July!!!! And lots of stuff were not planted out until September - not permanent homes - just space in the garden for the winter until I can find places for them.
Now, if everything survives the winter - I have like 40 plus Veronica Sunny Border Blue - what will I do with all these? Well, I can find homes for about 30 on the terrace - but even so - I will have at least 10 extra. And there are several perennials like that.
On the other hand, in some cases I only had 2-3 of a particular plant germinate and thrive. I do tend to sow quite thinly, however. Anyway - if you have a lot of containers, be prepared to be astounded! Of the 161 containers I started, probably less than 20 were duds. Eight of these were hardy hibiscus.
Thanks, now I know more what to expect and I don't want to get overly ambitious my first time and then get discouraged. The weather here has been gorgeous 60 to 70's in the daytime and I am trying to get some new beds ready! I planted 28 containers so far and about 4 of them have sprouts. February is usually our coldest winter month here so am sure I will have to cover them for protection a few times!
I have planted a few things that I am not too optomistic about them sprouting but wanted to give them a try.
