Over Easy Homestead

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Starting seeds in winter or early spring is easier than you think. All you need are some milk jugs, soil, and seeds.

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I was excited this year to get our flower garden going and growing. It has been a few babies, a new house, and a few years since I’ve been able to have a garden. While I would like to do it all, I decided this year to keep it simple with a cut flower garden, some herbs, and tomatoes. We have a place close by with some amazing fresh vegetables and fruits I can easily hit up all summer long.

When I started researching how to get my seeds going a touch earlier I found the list of tools I would need to be too long and expensive. Then I came across a post on someone using milk jugs to assist with their seed starting. Well, around here we go through about 2 gallons a week, sometimes more. There were plenty of milk jugs in our recycle pile ready to be used. The whole process took me less than a nap time, and I found great success with it.

Sowing Seeds in a Milk Jug

Sowing seeds in a milk jug is a great method for the DIY-er or repurposing lover. You are simply starting your seeds in a milk jug. The milk jug acts as a mini greenhouse that allows the seeds to germinate in winter or early spring. It truly is an easy and low-maintenance way of starting your seeds.

Tools

• milk jug
• scissors
• soil
• duct tape
• seeds
• drill or tool to punch holes

Making Milk Jug Pots

Prior to starting, make sure to rinse out the milk jugs really well. This will eliminate anything left over inside.

To make a milk jug pot, begin by drilling 3-4 holes in the bottom of the milk jug. This will allow water to drain while seeds are germinating. Using scissors, cut horizontally around the circumference of the milk jug leaving the handle attached.

Now your jug is ready to hold some soil and seeds!

How to Sow Seeds

Fill the bottom of the jug with about 3 inches of slightly damp soil. Plant seeds according to package instructions. Reattach the top half of the milk jug and seal with tape. Duct tape or packaging tape work very well here. Label with a waterproof marker. Make sure to keep the cap off of the jug as this will allow water to get in.

Keep an eye out for the seeds and soil. Lightly water if it begins to look dry. If the weather looks to be dipping into cooler or freezing temperatures, bring the jugs inside or cover with a towel or blanket.

When seedlings have started to sprout at least two sets of true leaves, they are ready to be transplanted into their new home.

What to Plant

There is a variety of seeds that can be started in milk jug pots. If the seed instructions have either of the following phrases, “Direct sow after all danger of frost has passed or “start indoors at least 3-4 weeks before last frost”, that is a good indication that a milk jug would be a great place to start.

Wildflowers, tomatoes, herbs, and other summer vegetables are great options as well.

This was such a fun activity for my kids to tag along with. We all enjoyed peeking into each jug to see if there was any new activity. What rich conversations we had about plant life cycles and God’s amazing creation. We can do everything the directions instruct us, but at the end of the day, it is all in God’s hands as to whether it will grow. Just being faithful in whatever he asks of us. That’ll preach to about every area of my life.

I hope this post was helpful, and that you’re able to try these milk jug seed pots in the future. Please follow along with our other homemaking and baking projects on Instagram @overeasyhomestead.

Here are some other posts you might enjoy:

• DIY Silouhette
• All Things Sourdough Starter
• Grain Sack Pillow Cover

“Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we do not give up.”

Galations 6:9