starting seeds in milk cartons

How do you plant seeds in a milk carton?

How to start milk jug greenhouses step by step:

Step 1: Cut your jugs in half and toss out the lids. ...
Step 2: Moisten the soil really well. ...
Step 3: Add seeds. ...
Step 4: Close your container and seal all air gaps with duct tape. ...
Step 5: Label the jug. ...
Step 6: Set them outside in a full sun location.

What is the best thing to start seeds in?

You can start seeds in almost any type of container, as long as it's at least 2-3" deep and has some drainage holes. If you are the DIY type, you might want to grow seedlings in yogurt cups, milk cartons or paper cups. I prefer the convenience of trays that are made especially for seed starting.

What can I grow in milk jugs?

italica), bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa), can do well in a 1 gallon milk jug, but you must take precautions to make sure they don't tip over in high winds. Place a heavy rock in the bottom of the container before filling it with potting soil to add to the weight and stabilize the container.

How do you cut milk jugs for winter?

Winter Sowing Containers are Mini Greenhouses

Then you cut the milk jug almost all the way around about 4" up from the bottom, but leaving an inch or so intact below the handle, as a hinge, so that you can lift the upper part of the jug open. I use an X-acto knife to do this.

Can you start seeds in egg cartons?

You can use egg cartons as a seed-starting tray! Depending on the type of carton you have, you can even cut apart the individual sections and plant them, as the carton will biodegrade. Be sure to poke small holes for drainage, and put the cartons on a tray or in a shallow pan to catch any residual water.

How do you start flower seeds in egg cartons?

An easy solution is to cut off the container lid and put it under the bottom of the carton. Poke holes in the bottom of each egg cup and any moisture will drain out and into the lid underneath. Fill each egg cup with potting soil and place seeds in to the appropriate depth.

Can you put seeds straight into soil?

Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it's an easy process that yields great results. ... Even so, many vegetables, annuals, herbs and perennials sprout easily from seed sown directly into garden soil.

How can you make seeds germinate faster?

One easy way to make seeds germinate faster is to presoak them for 24 hours in a shallow container filled with hot tap water. Water will penetrate the seed coat and cause the embryos inside to plump up. Don't soak them for longer than 24 hours because they could rot. Plant the seeds immediately in moist soil.

What is the cheapest way to start seeds indoors?

Use Yoplait Kids Plastic Cups/ or any other item in your kitchen to start your seeds indoors. Use Plastic wrap over each of your homemade containers until your seed sprouts to keep in the warmth. Use Seed Starting Soil Mix– it's lighter. The other stuff may work or it may not.

What is the easiest vegetable to grow in pots?

Some of the easiest vegetables to grow in containers are nightshades like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant, as well as fast-growing crops like peas and lettuce. Take a look at 10 vegetables that you can grow even if you do not have a garden plot but do have a patio, porch, or balcony with good sun exposure.

What seeds can be winter sown?

Seeds of tropical and tender plants will die in the cold. Some good choices for your first efforts at winter sowing include: Flowers: Alyssum, butterfly weed, calendula, coreopsis, cosmos, foxgloves, hollyhocks, petunias. Vegetables: Beets, broccoli, cabbage, chard, carrots, kale, mache, radishes, spinach.

What seeds should I start with in winter?

You can sow seeds for winter vegetable crops, like salad greens, radishes, carrots, onions, Swiss chard, English peas and kale. Look for transplants of other cool-season vegetables, including Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower. Herb transplants also appear in garden centers during winter.

What is Winter Sowing?

Winter sowing is for gardeners who don't have the space or lighting available to sow seeds indoors. Instead, this method uses recycled containers which act as miniature greenhouses to sow seeds of plants that would normally survive winter either as perennials or as reseeding annuals.

How do I sow seeds?

These are the basic steps, but check the seed packet for specific details on sowing depth, germination temperature and when to sow.

Step 1: Harvest Seeds From Flowers and Vegetables. ...
Step 2: Collect Trays or Pots and Drill Holes If Needed. ...
Step 3: Fill the Container With Sterile Seed Compost (Seed-Starting Potting Mix)

How do you grow onions in the winter?

Fill the container with about 2-3 inches of moist seed starting mix. Don't use garden soil; it's too heavy and can harbor diseases that could infect your onions once spring warms the soil. Sow the seeds by scattering them on the top of the soil.

Should you soak seeds before planting?

Soaking seeds before planting helps you to break down the seed's natural defenses against what it expects from Mother Nature, which then allows it to germinate faster. Another reason is that while Mother Nature actively assaults seeds, she also gave those seeds an internal gauge to help them know when they should grow.

Do you water seeds everyday?

Do you water seeds every day? Yes, seeds normally need to be watered at least once per day to keep the soil moist, not permitting it to dry out. In especially warm climates (or depending on your soil or garden setup), you may need to water more than once per day.

How many seeds does it take to grow in one hole?

Don't exceed three seeds per hole. If more than one germinates, snip off extras at the soil line also. This prevents disturbance of the seedling roots on the one you'll continue growing out when thinning. Don't add more than one large seed to a hole.

What is the best way to start seeds indoors?

How to Start Vegetable Seeds Indoors

Purchase your seeds from a trusted source. ...
Pot with seed-starting mix. ...
Make sure your containers have drainage holes. ...
Plant seeds at the proper depth. ...
After sowing, set the containers in a warm location. ...
Keep seed-starting mix moist. ...
As soon as seedlings emerge, place pots in a bright location.

How do you start roses from seeds?

Before growing roses from seed, the rose seeds need to go through a period of cold moist storage called “stratification” before they will sprout. Plant the rose bush seeds approximately ¼ inch deep in a seed-planting mix in seedling trays or your own planting trays.

What are the best seeds to start indoors?

The following seeds typically transplant well, and can, therefore, be started indoors, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension:

Broccoli.
Brussels sprouts.
Cabbage.
Cauliflower.
Eggplant.
Kale.
Lettuce.
Onion.