I often use clear sterlite boxes to winter sow. I have a cheap wood burning pen that I use to make drainage holes and aeration holes. Sometimes I sow right in the boxes and other times I put styrofoam cups inside when I want individual plants like tomatoes. They all work just fine. You could also use a drill I guess to make the holes but I always just use the pen. I do it outside of course because of the fumes!
Joann

Joann,

Thanks for the info. I was planning on using a drill to make the holes for drainage and ventilation. I'm curious - what have you sown? Anything you would highly recommend (or not!)?

This will be my first time and I can't wait to get started!

Snapdragons
Allysum
Columbines
Rudbeckias
Herbs

Those were some of my favs last year

I sometimes use blanket bags (NO HOLES) zip it up and leave about two inches open... works everytime.

Carrie

Bella..I've sowed so many things that did well. Mostly flowers like Heliopsis, Columbine, Dianthus, Penstemon, Scabiosa, Coneflowers, Goldenrod, Agastache, Silene, Salvia, Verbascum, Shasta daisy, then I also have done tomatoes, basil, lovage, parsley, feverfew, chamomile, strawflowers, zinnias, I've been sowing for several years! I do my perennials in the deep winter and wait until March to start the Annuals.

I got a sweater box for just this purpose. I drilled lots of holes in the top and bottom. When drilling the holes I had to be sure to go slow (not push the drill too hard) to prevent the plastic from cracking.
I plan to start my brocolli and cauliflower in these in March with 3-4 inch pots inside of it.

I have two small flats inside a plastic box that a comforter came in. It's flexible plastic and I made holes int he top and bottom. It has a zippered opening, so it will be easy to vent in spring.

Monica

I have been thinking of using them myself- but I was thinking I would invert the box- with the lid with holes drilled on the bottom- pots on the lid- and the bottom of the storage box would then be a dome over all. That way, in the spring as the seeds sprout- I can flip the unit over and keep the pots in a tub that will hold water. I find that with my busy schedule, bottom watering in a tub is a real time and plant saver for me.

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for your advice and suggestions. Both my sister and I ran out to Walmart and bought a sweater storage box. I'm hoping to sow some seeds this weekend. I'm excited - this will be my first time WSing. Wish me luck!

Happy gardening!

-Bellarosa

I use the "under-the-bed" type plastic boxes with wheels and the lid that opens at either end. They're easy for me to move when necessary and work great.

I use an underbed box like Barbe's, clear top and bottom, which hinges in the center of the lid. Both ends can be propped open in warm weather. I use it for styro cups and yogurt cups when I just want one or 2 of some plant. You can kind of see it under the snow here, last year.
{{gwi:355710}}

Karen

Babe and Karen,

That's the same type of container I bought - it has wheels and a hinge in the center so you can prop open either side. I just got my snapdragon and scabiosa seeds from Park Seed yesterday, which I'll be sowing tomorrow. I have the day off from work tomorrow - President's Day - and will spend it sowing my seeds. Can't wait!