Ok, so I wanted rain to keep from having to water my jugs. But we are supposed to get 3 inches!!!

Does anyone think I should cover the jugs? They have really good drainage. But that is A LOT of rain!

If they're in an area that gets sun, then no I probably wouldn't cover them - at least not with plastic. I'd be more concerned about the sun coming out while I wasn't thinking about it (or wasn't at home) and frying the jugs' contents.

Sun? What is that?

Actually I only have 12 of my 140 containers with sprouts. Some good heat would actually be nice to get them popping! It is actually supposed to get down to 33 Friday and Saturday night.

But I think I will err on the side of caution and keep them uncovered.

Thanks Chelle!

I gave mine a little drink this morning, just to last until rain, hopefully tonight. Those storms are supposed to be here tonight and tomorrow.

Karen

They were just waiting for a good drink of rain, and maybe cooler temps. We got around 1/4 to 1/2" of rain this morning. Round two- heavy rain, possible storms, due later this afternoon and tonight. We hadn't had any rain in a couple of weeks, and it was 82° yesterday. Now, it's 68°.

A few marigolds popped today, a few nicotiana, and the first zinnia. Also one echinacea and one corydalis sempervirens. (I don't think the corydalis will survive in our heat, but wanted to try anyway ) I swear, rain water is magic for plants and seeds.

Now, if only the tomatoes would sprout. I might have to buy tomato plants this year.

Karen

Last night I did end up covering my dozen or so jugs that had sprouts. It was 35 degrees this morning. I used an old clear shower curtain liner. There was a TON of water puddled on it this morn! Only supposed to get up to 38 today but I took the cover off anyway. We got TONS more rain today. Can't wait to go home and see if I have any new sprouts. I'm not too hopeful today since it is so cold.

Boy I would love rain AND temps in the 60s!!

35° with a wind chill of 30. I did cover my jugs overnight. Now that the sun is up, I'll uncover them.

Karen

I had to uncover all of my pots when we hit 93 a couple of days ago. Some of the containers were recently sown (annuals) and not even close to germinating.

When I came home, there were birds all over the open containers! I think they had a feast on the seeds.

oh no

ssgardener said:I had to uncover all of my pots when we hit 93 a couple of days ago. Some of the containers were recently sown (annuals) and not even close to germinating.

When I came home, there were birds all over the open containers! I think they had a feast on the seeds.

Sorry to hear this. Hopefully, they didn't get all of them. It was mice for me last year. Since then, I've been using Tulle fabric over my flats and I've even wrapped small pieces of it over the tops of my jugs. It seems to work just fine for dissuading all the little critters. I use this stuff all over the garden! http://garden.org/ideas/view/c...

the junco birds are the reason my strawflowers didn't return ... they were good out there for 3 years.. until they figured it out

Chelle, very interesting! I need to look into some sort of a cover for next year. I actually don't mind the birds so much. I don't have a bird feeder because the squirrels here just obnoxious . I just hope they left me with *something*!

Oh ssgardener what a bummer! If my strawflowers come up I always save seeds. Treemail me if you want me to give you some in the fall.

Wow Karen, you are really having swings in temp! We still haven't got above mid 50's during day here and that was just a day or two. Still struggling in the 40's except today high 30's for high and 32 tonight! I'm not even bothering to unconver my sprouted jugs today! I wouldn't even mind the cold if we could just have some sun!!

Those temperature swings aren't uncommon here at this time of year. A few days ago when it was 80° I moved the sprouted ones to shade in the afternoon. I only planted 14 jugs this year, so moving or covering them is pretty easy. And I can move them just a few feet to alter sun/shade exposure.

Finally, the first tomato seed sprouted today.

Karen

Arlene - you had asked about Orlaya grandiflora seeds. I got some in a seed swap last year, and after 3 direct-seeding failures, I finally got 5 plants to germinate. I was so excited, that I let most of the flower heads go to seed so that I can have more seeds. Not knowing anything about the plant's habits, I was amazed at how many seeds each flower head produced. Needless to say, I got copious amounts of seeds. They look like something from out of space with all the little prickly spines. They self-seed very easily. This year,I will only let 3 flowerhead go to seed

flower head gone to seed............................... closeup of seeds.


Anyone want seeds? Let me know.... I gave most of it away at the previous seed swap, but I am sure I have some left.

Oodles of wintersown sprouts now, and I am lovin' it.




In our past and present gloomy weather they were beginning to look a bit weak and like they wanted to start flopping, so I took the tops off. They look much better now.

Two liter soda bottles with pure vermiculite?

Lookin' good, Chelle.

Be sure to secure your containers as these storms approach, everyone. I just did that. It has been windy all day, but will get worse as the storms approach. We probably won't see rain for hours yet, but the winds are getting fierce, barometer is falling... ripe for storms.

Karen

Rick, they're 3 liter water jugs... most with a mix of potting soil and a coarse vermiculite overlay. The ones I did with pure vermiculite are sprouting, but seem to be growing much slower.


Karen, we've been in monsoons all afternoon! I've got most of my jugs secure inside the springhouse. As long as it holds, we'll be okay. The rest are in a very sheltered spot on the deck...in a weighted tub.