You are the first one that I have seen that uses masking tape to secure their milk jugs/containers.Does the masking tape hold up well out in the winter elements(snow and rain)? I noticed that you didn't drill any holes around the top of your jug; is that because of the wide opening? I like the way you have limited ID information on top of your jug; and so neatly written. What other method do you use for recording your WS containers? I need to buy another paint pen. Yours must be a fine point. The paint pen I purchased doesn't seem to last that long. I keep having to stand mine with writing tip down so it will write the next time I want to use it. Whenever weather permits, I'm heading out to buy another paint pen and I like the blue ink rather than my black one. It is interesting to see the various tuitorials made up on WS..I have gathered some tips from each person's. How long have you been wintersowing and what other helpful tips would you like to pass along to Newbies?

Just a couple suggestions. Masking tape will probably not last through a bunch of nasty weather, so you might want to switch to duct tape. Also, unless you are able to identify sprouts it helps if you mark the bottom half of your jug as well. I have only been wintersowing for about 3 years but I skimped out on tape before and it became brittle and non-sticky. If you don't switch the tape and go to move your jugs or pick them up, I would handle them from the bottom. Keep on sowing! You're doing a great job!

I used the clear packaging tape a few times and it worked all winter.

I did both duct tape and masking tape last year and both held up through the winter. It could be that the placement of my jugs right up against the southern exposure of the house gives them some protection, but also the drip line of the roof prevents them from getting much precipitation, so every now and then I dribble some water through the cap hole at the top to hydrate the mix. I've found these particular non-standard shape milk jugs are easier to manipulate inside the jug and the large cap opening at the top good for adding in the water. I've only found this type of jug at Sam's Club. It's a container they switched to over a year ago because it uses less plastic than a regular jug and doesn't require transport in milk crates.. they stack well on a single pallet. I bet they could be filled with sand and used as bordering to a garden because of the integral way they stack together. I better keep saving them and try that idea. :)

Anyhow this is my second year winter-sowing. I had over 90% of every seed germinate last year using this method, so I am looking forward to as great, if not greater success this year. I'm flushing out some old seeds I've had for years by winter sowing them and hoping I get lucky with some germinations.

That's great to know that the white milk jugs work. Costco has the same size/color jug. I have always wandered if they would let enough light in. But you've been doing this for 2 years now. Congratulation on a good job!! I'm going to start using my Costco jugs.

Yeah I think they work because the white plastic is translucent and diffuses the sunlight inside the container. I don't think the yellowish regular style milk jugs would be as effective because that yellow coloring is designed to block the wavelights of light that make the milk spoil (faster). These block containers from Sams Club (and Costo) work nice and it is easier (to me) to bend the top in to get my big hands in them to add the soil, spread the seeds and pat it all down lightly.

I wonder if they could be stacked in a single layer on top of one another against my house if I were to use a hole saw to drill a side hole for the venting\water additions. I might try that for kicks and see what happens (or doesn't),

If you can see your fingers through the plastic it should be fine. Translucent is okay, opaque is not.

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Sam's Club\Costco square milk jugs are A SUCCESS at germinating plants! My first sprouts are up today (green bunching onions)! I planted them on January 15th. SO no worries about using them! They are A-OK! :)

Also wanted to point out that ordinary masking tape to close up the containers worked just fine also! The tape didn't get as brittle as I expected and didn't crack either. If you think about it.. using masking tape is more environmentally sound than using duct tape. Over time I bet the masking tape disappears into dust whereas duct tape will probably exist for centuries. There's some food for thought. If you're not picking up your winter sown containers all the time (I set and forget them) I don't think there's any reason to worry about the tape holding.

Can't believe I never thought of using my cordless drill for the drainage wholes until I saw this post. Bet that would be a lot faster and easier! Thanks.

Oh yeah.. I LOVE power tools. hehehe

Made the leap to using a drill this year for the first time. QUICK!!!! Make sure you sort through all the bits the dear hubby has to find one that has a really sharp "starting the hole" point. So much faster with a good point.

No more burning holes and breathing toxic air for me!

I found this interesting because I had never seen milk jugs like that. Glad they are working for you. I have a drill but am sticking to burning. Found I can sit on the front porch when it's still pretty darn cold and burn a whole bunch at a time. Yes, I get a whiff now and then but nothing like inside when I use a mask stuffed with bandana, can still smell it. Try to get ventilation going w/open windows but it tends to blow right back unless I set up the heavy duty fan.

Burning with the hot knife not such an issue inside for some reason, unless I cut with it and do that rarely.

Those fumes are melted plastic, whatever else, and have got to be bad breathing too much of it, think it would be hard for your body to cleanse it out.

Why not heat an ice pick on your stove and burn holes in your plastic inside the house?

Are you talking to me or the OP? I don't own an ice pick and don't think it would be thick enough and very tedious to heat up plus if it's too small diameter, many more holes. Might be fine for vents though. Smaller holes, less fumes maybe.

I like my woodburning tool, has just the right tip.

Anyway, I found out yesterday some containers had iced on the bottom, moved them. So I will need to start burning a few holes low in the sides so they can drain if prolonged. Hadn't thought of that, been thawing in the daytime and freezing up again at night. Once all the snow is melted off and sidewalk clear, shouldn't be a problem unless it snows or ices again. Drain better on the sidewalk but have some still in snow.

So thanks to whomever put me onto that. Whatever works for individual people is the way to go.

I just use a drill to make the holes because I like power tools. :)

Here's what they looked like on February 15th outside. {{gwi:354905}}From 021510

"I just use a drill to make the holes because I like power tools. :) "

Heh. I liked my drill until the augur fell out, realized I could hurt myself, new one tightens by hand, didn't get it tight enough. Gotta watch it and get the bit all the way in.

But at least it's not likely to start a fire.

I like that power pen there. Gotta get one of those.

I planted (yes...I said it, JUST got them into the milk jugs...but then again, I JUST found out about winter sowing...all my fingers and toes crossed. Will winter sow more tomorrow (peppers, beans) but tonight was herb night:
Basil Purple, Sweet, Bush Spicy Globe, Siam Queen, Dwarf Greek, Genovese, Lemon, Cinnamon
Cillantro
Fennel
Lemon Balm
Sage
Chammomile
Rosemary
Dill Boquet, Fernleaf, Mammoth
Oregano
Lavender
Winter Savory
Marjoram
Chives
Thyme
Tarragon
Parsley Italian, Curled, Plain

Gotta find some more containers!!!

I would hold off on the beans for a little bit. They tend to like warm weather and may rot if sown too soon. Just my 2 cents!