Hi,

I don't understand what you are trying to protect your containers from?

My milk jugs sat out on a south-west exposed deck all winter long and were fine. Sun, rain, snow, wind..they handled it all fine.

The only time I can think the containers might need protection is maybe when planting out gets delayed and the seedlings have to stay in the containers during the heat/cold flux of spring.

I have but one year of winter sowing under my belt and I am in zone 7b-8a so no, I am not an expert by any means. However, I did have very good success in that first year. My containers were exposed to a wide range of varying temperatures. We were warm all of January so many jugs germinated. February was cold though with even 2 snow falls. My containers sat through it all with no protection. I never watered them either.

I did get my plants into the ground as soon as possible. Somethings even got planted out at the end of February.

I don't think I'd worry about protecting the jugs so much. At least not during the dead of winter.

I can't wait to see what the more experienced winter sowers have to say.

Michelle

Michelle:
Thanks for your input. This will be my 1st year winter sowing and I'm just learning about it. I did not know if the seeds/seedlings needed any protection from the elements or not. I live in central NY and we get a lot of snow.
Thanks, again!

Yes, as mentioned by Michelle, exposure during winter is actually good for the w/s. Just watch out for "wind" to keep them from blowing away. Mine are put on a deck all winter, with numerous jugs, etc. in a cardboard box to give added protection from the wind. Snow (just another method of watering :-) ) is good for them.

When the spring is arriving and the sun gets higher, you will have to provide shade for sprouts that have started - that table leaning against the side of the house would be good for that. Umbrellas, chairs, under trees, etc. also useful, but not usually needed until spring has sprung.

Have fun. bulbs

Oh....I could use the kiddie pool (purchased for our dog) to put all the containers in as a way to keep them contained and offer a bit of protection so they don't blow over in the wind.

Um, I don't think 1 pool will be enough as I went a bit crazy buying seeds. And, to boot, I don't have nearly enough beds ready or even decided upon to accomodate the plants if even only 1/2 grow.

Geesh, I cannot wait to get started!!!

As Martha would say.."Snow's a good thing!"
{{gwi:354300}}

Oh wendy2shoes you have inspired me! My Coca Cola crates were put in the pantry on shelving I hated. It was supposed to be temporary. That was two years ago and my disfunctional pantry continues to be a real thorn in my side. I'm just waiting (still) on hubby to help me lift the sheets of plywood so I can build what I want.

Now that I see your set up I can leverage my "NEED" for the crates to get a time table established. Hubby will be motivated by the WS tidiness available from the crates.

Thanks! Very nice!

Sdpa,

I am with you for being excited to get started! I've already started collecting my milk jugs for this next go-round. I grew things this last year that in the past I have only dreamed of growing.

But anyway, I digress....the pool idea would be great for keeping your jugs corralled, neat and orderly, but you might want to put holes in the pool or be prepared to take all the jugs out to empty the pool whenever you get a good rain or the snow melts. The jugs need good drainage so you wouldn't want them sitting in a container that won't let the water drain away.

Michelle