You can expect some to fall out of the holes, but if a lot falls out your drainage holes might be too big. You can expect them to settle some too, but if you had adequate depth of soil it should be fine. You do have to firm it down as you prepare the container.

What kind of containers did you use, and how deep is/was the soil?

Karen

I use milk jugs and fill the soil up to the bottom of the handle or so. I know it will settle, but it's way less than that now in the few that I'm worried about.

What is the least amount of soil that would allow them to sprout/survive, 1 inch, 2 inch?

I usually cover the holes with tissue so that the soil cannot leak out.

I haven't noticed the jugs losing soil out the drain holes but I use an ice pick to poke the holes so they're not very large. If you fill the bottom of the jug right up to the cut, then squish/compact it down and add more mix over that to reach the cut again, you should have plenty for the sprouts. I believe the rule is no less than 2 inches of soil/mix. Mine have between 3-4 inches when I set them outside but it compacts and contracts with the cold and sometimes looks a little less.

Good Post! Hostarookie, I went outside and checked my jugs. I got the same issue, particularly with the bottles. It was 50F today. I was so hoping there was a sprout!

What is the least amount of soil that would allow them to sprout/survive, 1 inch, 2 inch?

That probably depends on what's planted in it. A few tiny seedlings might do OK in an inch or two. But a wall to wall chia pet of big seedlings with lots of leaves might not do so well.

You might try what gardenweed suggested: fill, firm down, fill again, firm, then plant.

Karen