Household Freebie To Help Your Beautiful Garden This Year

Have you ever thought that one of your best gardening tools could be sitting right in your recycling bin?

In fact, I just got an email from the Extension about this. Here's the idea.

MILK JUGS.

By using milk jugs, you can dive into winter sowing—a fun way to start seeds in late winter for a beautiful spring garden. The great thing about milk jugs is that they turn into mini-greenhouses, creating a cozy spot for your seeds to grow. You can choose all sorts of seeds, like perennials, native plants, cool-season annuals, cool-season vegetables, and herbs. And when April rolls around, it’s time to start those warm-season veggies!

Milk jug gardening isn’t just effective; it’s also a fantastic winter activity to enjoy with kids—just be sure to supervise!

How To Make the Milk Jug Planters

To get started, gather your supplies: a clean milk jug, scissors, a nail or scratch awl, some good potting mix, seeds, duct tape, pots or cell packs, and labels or pencils.

First, clean out that milk jug and toss the cap. Use your sharp tool to poke some drain holes in the bottom, then cut around the middle of the jug, leaving a little hinge.

Next, fill the bottom 3 inches with potting soil that drains well, moisten it, and let the extra moisture drain away.

Then, follow the depth instructions on your seed packet to sow the seeds. After that, reattach the top of the jug, securing it with duct tape.

Don’t forget to label it with the planting date and seed type so you can keep track of everything. Find a sunny spot outside for your jug where it can soak up sunshine, rain, and snow while staying safe from the wind. Keep an eye on your seedlings as they pop up!

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The inside of the jug can warm up quickly, so feel free to open it during the day but remember to close it up before evening. As the weather warms up, you can enjoy removing the lid during the day. Make sure to check on the soil moisture and water when needed. When your seedlings reach about 2-3 inches tall and have true leaves, it’s time to transplant them.

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For even more fun, check out MU Extension’s Youth Gardening Activities series! These one-page publications are packed with creative projects like designing a butterfly garden, making seed tapes, growing sunflowers, and even taking plant cuttings.

Happy gardening!

Gardeningly yours,
Behka