Getting started with Milk Jug Greenhouses

This past February 20th, President's Day, was planting and seed starting day for my garden. I don't actually have a garden. Yet. But, I do have some flower beds with extra room that get quite a bit of sun during winter and early spring. So, out back in front of the blueberry bushes, I set out some broccoli plants and sowed cauliflower, spinach, onion and carrot seeds. Next to the driveway I've planted snap peas. I'm trying to rig up a trellis should I get these to grow. Next to them the garlic cloves that I set out a couple of weeks ago are starting to sprout.

But, I really want a garden. I need a garden. My name is on the waiting list for a plot in the community garden at Shelby Farms. In hopeful anticipation of that phone call that says "your in," I've started several milk jug greenhouses to get a start on all the plants I'll need for my spot. I saw a write up in the Commercial Appeal about this being a great way to start seeds. But, being me, I had to put my own twist on things.

I am proud to be my father's daughter and one of the things about my dad was that he could always re-purpose  things. He recycled way before it was cool. I am always on high alert when I start a project to figure out the most cost effective way to go. Anytime I have an opportunity to reuse something I jump at it. As part of my milk jug greenhouse project I decided to combine another crafty idea. I love Pinterest and found newspaper starter pots while I was browsing there . Instead of putting potting soil in the jugs and scattering seeds, I made paper pots filled with soil to sit in the jugs. This way when it is time to plant them in the dirt, the roots will be protected and the newspaper will degrade into the soil. At least that's my plan.

The pots are made from a strip of newspaper, 1/2 the length and 1/3 the width of a single page.

Wrap the paper around a spice jar or prescription bottle. Two times around should be enough. Then, slide it off about 3/4 of an inch and fold down one end securing with masking tape. On the other end fold the edge all the way around about 3/8-1/2 inch

Clean milk jugs are cut almost all the way around just under where the handle ends, leaving the top attached about 1-1/2 inches. Poke some holes in the bottom for drainage.
Water is added to the seed starting mix until it's nice and moist, but not muddy. Fill each pot with the mix and arrange them 3x3. You may fit more or less into the jug depending on how big your pots are. You can see none of my pots look the same and some of them are jammed in but good.

As I worked, the weather got warmer so I moved this operation outside. I used a pencil to poke a couple of holes in the mix in each pot and planted the seeds. I then spread a little more mix on top and around the sides of the jugs to give a little more insulation. Each jug is labeled with a permanent marker. Packing tape secures the top to the bottoms, though I couldn't get mine to be completely sealed.

The greenhouses are lined up in a fairly protected spot next to the house. There are plenty of leaves to pile up around them if the plants need it. The idea is to do this while it is still cold outside. The seeds will adapt to the weather and will sprout when they're ready. We'll see.

Bailey, my faithful supervisor.