Don't Throw Out Milk Jugs Without Trying This Easy Yard DIY

Despite the fact that you meticulously clean and sort your plastics for recycling every week, many of them still end up in landfills or in "plastic islands" in the ocean. You can help eliminate at least some of this waste and help your garden thrive by repurposing your empty milk jugs for winter sowing. Winter sowing is a propagation method that allows you to plant seeds outdoors much earlier than you can direct sow by planting them in an enclosed, vented container such as milk jugs.

Many plants, particularly native ones, require cold stratification, a period of exposure to cold weather, before they germinate. In the wild, this survival strategy prevents seeds from sprouting too early. Winter sowing protects your seeds from weeds, pests, and other dangers while providing natural cold stratification. You also don't have to worry about the best way to start seeds indoors, setting up grow lights, or hardening off your seedlings. By using milk jugs for winter sowing, you're basically creating a tiny greenhouse to provide the ideal growing conditions for your seeds. You can start seeds as early as December for cold-tolerant plants, or later in the season for plants that thrive in the heat. These tips and tricks for winter seed sowing will help you get a head start on your garden. 

Gallon milk jugs are ideal for winter sowing, but you can use half-gallon ones or any plastic container you can vent. It just needs to have enough depth for at least four inches of soil. Any less and your seedlings won't be able to develop strong roots. Start by thoroughly washing your jug and letting it dry. Use an awl or knife to poke a few holes in the bottom of the jug. Cut the jug in half horizontally so that the bottom section is at least four inches deep. Don't cut all the way around the jug. Instead, leave a section of an inch or so to create a hinge. Use a permanent marker to label the seed type and date on the outside of the milk jug.

Put a layer of newspaper in the bottom of the jug and fill with moist potting soil. Plant the seeds according to the directions on the package. You can mix very tiny seeds with sand and sprinkle them on the surface, while larger seeds should be buried. Once the seeds are planted, secure the top of the container to the bottom with duct tape. Place the jugs outside in a sunny area protected from high winds. Leave the screw-on lids off and only water if the soil dries out. After the seeds have sprouted and have at least one set of true leaves, remove the top of the jug during the day. When you see two sets of true leaves, take the top off and let the seedlings acclimate. Once the ground has warmed up enough, carefully plant them in the yard to save your garden seedlings from transplant shock.