Terrific idea!
You can also use those 5 gal. drywall buckets.

Thanks for the slit-and-stake idea!

I've been saving 2-liter clear plastic bottles and expecting them to blow over unless I drape a floating row cover over everything, and weight it down.

I was hoping that, in cloudy rainy coastal WA, I could just unscrew the tops from the bottles to let out enough hot air to keep them from cooking in the daytime.

And I expect slugs to burrow up from soil, inside the bottles, to eat seedlings. So I was going to put a small pinch of iron phosphate bait under each bottle, and trust the bottles to keep the bait dry.

Ann, the 5 gallon buckets are a great idea for extending the protection further into spring...the gallon jugs will only hold so much.

Rick, it is possible in your cooler climate that removing the lid might be enough...in Iowa I have found it can get way too warm...late winter it is okay. The slug protection is a great idea too, thanks!

I love this tip Maridell.
I have used the gallon milk jugs as mini greenhouses for starting seeds. Now I see I can cut the bottoms out and use as protective covers until the plants have a good start and the weather warms.
Thank you so much.

You are very welcome Lynn!

This is a good time to start saving those milk jugs...

It sure is. Here is what I did with mine the last two years. Planted them in late Jan.
Never thought of cutting the bottoms out afterwards to use as covers.

I've also used empty pots & turned them upside down. Of course, you have to take them off during the day so the plants get light. If it's windy you can put a rock or brick on top to weigh them down. This was in zone 10 when we would get those rare frost/freeze or windchill times so the drain holes weren't enough to affect the heat retention properties. I don't know how that would work in extreme temps. it wasn't as if we were going to get down to 20 degrees or anything.

Nice job Lynn!

Ann, yup just about anything to hold in the heat, just takes a little time each day to check everything...well worth it when your plants get better growth.

Yep, Lynn's going nuts there isn't she? I count 30 jugs!!!!!

Hey, can I help it if I have become addicted to using milk jugs for gardening?

Nope, I'm sure you can not help your self

The 3 or 5 gallon water jugs work well if you need a bigger cloche. I direct sowed cucumbers last year and used a 3 gallon jug as a cloche. It was excellent

Great idea Joanne, that would work great for when the plants get to big for the one gallon size.

We have had some deer activity in the neighborhood this winter...gonna need to start protecting plants. I have a few bulbs coming up now...time to get the milk jugs out!