Thank you so much for this article. I have been very intimidated by the thought of winter sowing, so I never looked into it enough to give it a try. i have been with NGA for a little while, but I haven't been active since I'd lived in an apartment and didn't have much room to grow things. My wife and I recently purchased a house (also in Zone 8!) and we will be moved in during the month of December. That should put me in a PERFECT position to try winter sowing this year!

I had a question about tomato plants, as that's where I think I'd like to start. How much room do you think I should give the little seedlings in my milk container? Obviously following the plant database recommendations for space, but have you tweaked it at all to give them room for a little more of a head start?

Again, thank you so much for the article! It's very concise and has all the information I need to pluck up my courage and start winter sowing this year!

Hi there Jeff. You will be so glad you tried winter sowing in milk jugs. I still can't believe how easy it is.
I planted about 6 to 8 tomato seeds per jug. When they had their second or third set of true leaves I transplanted them into the 18 oz. plastic drinking cups you find at Walmart. I punch one large hole in the bottom of the cups with a drill bit.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hef...

Place the newly transplanted tomatoes in a plastic storage bin, again found at Walmart. I punch holes in the bottom of the bin for drainage and place the lid on. So you want the bin to be tall enough for the cups and growing plants. The lid needs to be not sealed so there is some ventilation. If the weather is very cold the lid can be sealed, if warm not sealed.

I hope this makes sense? I'll try to get more photos this coming end of winter/early spring and post them here.

Look what I found on my hard drive.


And my little garden buddy.

@texasgreenthumb I hope you do give this a try. And we hope to see you around more often once you have settled into your new home.

I agree with Lynn. I put up to nine tomato seeds to a gallon jug. Sometimes less when I only want to trial a different variety. I have my tomato seeds sown but was running late this year. Yesterday I noticed the first seedlings breaking soil.

Nice article @valleylynn I have wintersown here for many years. I do not find the need to harden seedlings off before planting them in ground when they have been wintersown. It is necessary to provide more ventilation by lifting the top of the "greenhouse" during the hot days but have to remember to close the lids as our nights will still dip.

Glad I took the time to read this article this morning.

Thank you Kristi. I agree, you do have to lift the tops for more ventilation on warm days. And I have never had to harden mine off either.
It is just a win win thing.