The "plastic bag over aluminum pan" system did not work out for me at all last year. In spite of efforts to keep the bags propped up, the bags all collapsed onto the pans after snow or heavy rain. I lost many seedlings under the weight of the water.

This became an instant favorite for me.

I purchased several few white plastic storage bins and poked holes in the lid bottom and sides. I filled 16 ounce plastic cups with potting mix, sowed my seeds and placed the cups inside of the bin with the lid on. I put the bins on my deck elevating them a few inches to allow proper drainage and left them alone. This was a great method for moving the containers from one location to another, I think there were 36 cups in each but of course there are many different bin sizes it just has to have good height for the seedlings to grow. Not a great way for HOS but it's my favorite method for sowing a few seeds per container, perfect for tomatoes.

White kitchen garbage bags are fine, they let in lots of light, just like a greenhouse that has its windows painted white to diffuse the intense overhead daylight.

I have a number of styrofoam cups outside that I poked holes in the bottom of, sowed my seeds and then covered with syran wrap and put elastics around to hold the syran wrap tight. I then poked small holes in the syran wrap. So far they seem to be holding up okay, although today will be the real test, I'm in that Nor'easter too and we're getting a ton of snow. I'm also home from work :)

I may have to go outside when the snow stops and clear some of the snow off of my cups so the weight of the snow doen't cause them to colapse.

Good luck!
Linda

I would get a clear plastic storage bin, poke holes in the top for ventilation and then put the cups in there. This will keep them free from rodents and the elements.

lindama I did the cup method you discussed and they did fine. My problem was the rubber bands lost their elasticity in the spring and I had to replace many of them. Honestly it was too much effort involved preparing all of the individual lids but that's just me. Also keep in mind you need plenty of room from the soil line to the plastic cover for the seedlings to grow until it's warm enough to remove the lids.

I saw, on a different site, someone make a large growing container with two different sized clear plastic storage bins. The one on top was taller/deeper to allow plant growth. You could probably use the clear birthday cake tops too. My husband found a stack of them in the recycle bins and brought them home for me. I plan to use them to put the jugs in come spring to bottom water when it gets to be to much to water over 100 containers by hand.

:-) Pam

Pam, in Spring I just set up a sprinkler on a timer and place it to go over the containers at midday. No more watering worries!