I did about 18 containers today. But I struggled to stay focused. I have ten more things to do tomorrow.

Then just six things when I get my seeds from Mom.

Trish, I hope it will take some of the "heat" off you if I confess ...
...
we've been having highs in the mid-50s and lows in the mid-40's.

The one frosty morning had me grumbling and putting on an extra layer.
This is even milder than I expect our winters to be.

The amazing thing is that we have even seen the sun at some point during quite a few days this last month! rather rare for me here, in the winter, spring and fall!

We've had plenty of cold temps, but fortunately not much snow.

Karen

Jennifer's pictures are a real testament to the power of Wintersowing!

Jennifer, where did you get those containers that you have your containers in? They kind of look like extra large milk crates, and would be perfect for me because of the wind! They look nice and heavy!

Natalie said:Jennifer, where did you get those containers that you have your containers in? They kind of look like extra large milk crates, and would be perfect for me because of the wind! They look nice and heavy!

Wwwelllllll......my husband works in produce. From time to time he can get them. I was wondering if anyone would notice them. They actually fold flat too. They are not as heavy duty as a milk crate. But certainly more versatile.

The company that produces them is called IFCO. You may be able to Google it and find them. They make all different sizes.

Thanks Jennifer! Folding flat is awesome! Makes storing them so much easier! I'll check online and see what I can find!

M y favorite photos of WS jugs are those where the jugs are "free range" - sitting in rows and columns instead of protected by boxes.

To me, those always looked like a small army of Tolkien dwarfs with funny helmets.

Those "milk crates" look much like bulb crates used in the flower bulb industry, bit they don't fold flat.

For Rick. Here are some free-range WS jugs:



From a few years ago.

Just a cruel jug jailor here!

Thanks, Kyla! The dwarves seem to have broken ranks and are milling around ...

some have tipped their hats ...

Yes! That was a wild year indeed. And I remember one person, somewhere, writing about winter sowing, who recommended rather fiercely that everybody just remove the hats, the lids, entirely, as soon as anything sprouted. Tough love! she would say.

Well... nope. But at a certain point taking the tops off makes handling them much easier. I have re-used jugs though, and have saved them from year to year, even. Sometimes I end up with jugs that have been used so much there's no more room to write the name of the plant on there because all available surfaces have been used.

Once I get everything sown here, I'll take more pictures of this year's jugs. I bet I have as many as Jennifer!

Here's my last two days worth. The ones that don't need a warm period first will probably head outdoors on Sunday, once they've had a chance to soak up plenty of moisture.



Thirty-one varieties so far.

Go, Chelle!

Very tidy. I could never manage anything so tidy in this world. I'm impressed!

kylaluaz said:Go, Chelle!

Very tidy. I could never manage anything so tidy in this world. I'm impressed!

That's just because these are the new ones, and they're still clean from being indoors. You should see the hold-overs from last year...scattered all over my porch! Well, no, on second thought, maybe not.

I was impressed on how tidy as well! I will be putting my containers in the same crates like Jen's, compliments of her DH! He scored some for us to use for tomatoes to take to market because they are also stackable! Now I don't know how we ever survived without them.

Wow you guys are way ahead of me I only have 8 done...lost a week to the flu....hopefully a marathon this weekend.

Aw, there's still plenty of time, certainly where you are.

kylaluaz said: ... And I remember one person, somewhere, writing about winter sowing, who recommended rather fiercely that everybody just remove the hats, the lids, entirely, as soon as anything sprouted. Tough love! she would say.

Well... nope.

I know I'm a broken record on this subject, but: what works well in one climate may be a disaster in another climate, and vice-versa.

If your springs are usually a fairly steady or rapid progression from "cold" through "cool" to "warm", and you know how much shade to provide in your micro-climate, a rule like "remove lid after emergence" might be a good bet.

If you tend to have erratic and unpredictable swings from cold to warm and back to cold, the only possible rule might be: "watch like a hawk and adapt on the fly".

Finding one rule that fits all gardening circumstances would be like finding one shoe that fits all feet!