How about the clear 2 liters? I think they are much less offensive than the jugs. You can place them in crates or 2 liter bottle holders like little soldiers.

I have always liked using the ziploc disposable containers with the clear blue lids. If I give them a good cleaning, I can store them and re-use for several years before the plastic cracks. The cheapest that I have found them are at Big Lots (5) for $2.00, but usually, I have to buy them at Walmart. (I have also used the rubbermaid brand, but the plastic usually only holds up for about 1 season.)

HTH,
Necia

What about masonry trays? That's what I've been using, recently. In the summer, when they're empty, they make ideal potting trays, too. They're also heavy duty enough to use year after year, but they are large and can be a pain to store.

You have my sympathy, Squirrel Girl! I am married to a neat freak too, and he complained about the "mess" as well. It wasn't a big deal when it was cold and snowy, but in the spring when it was warm enough to spend time outside, he kept asking when I was going to get rid of all of the containers. My next door neighbor gave me a couple of rectangular milk crates, and I was able to fit most of the 2L bottles in them. That seemed to help it look less messy. I think the bags of potting soil, mulch, etc. in the garage bother him even more than the containers, since that is sort of his workshop. I just try to keep things as neat and clean, and out of his way as I can, but I'm standing my ground on wintersowing and he knows it! I think he realizes that there are a lot worse hobbies (re: addictions) I could have.

I hope that you guys are able to reach a compromise.

Bonnie

Try googling plant pots, or perhaps restaurant supply. I bought, in the past (didn't need to last year, 'cause I saved them and finally have enough), clear containers in stacks of 50, with lids, that are round, the size of 1 Lb. margarine containers, at a restaurant supply store. Can't remember what I paid for them, but whatever it was, I think it was a good investment.

Shelves. Pick up shelving units at thrift stores, garage sales, etc. Fit more containers in less of a footprint and they look tidier.Saved my marriage last year!(smile)

But Bonnie's right - Spring is when the real friction begins. They seem to want to do silly things like put the deck furniture on the deck and - oops - -no room for it! I was able to stick to my guns through June - hey, we are going to get a GREAT garden out of this - and really hustled to plant out everything or move it to a less in the way area by the 4th of July.

Nancy

Finally somebody else is posting with this problem!

Brent and Becky's bulbs has bulb crates for only $4.00 each. They are big, and made from black plastic open ribs. They might not say it online, but there are two heights available.

Many, many kinds of seeds could go in these because they are so big. That's bad because it's harder to keep the seeds & seedlings separate and harder to keep the names with them all winter and into spring.

I think they'd need to be lined with a single sheet of newspaper, but unlike the milk jugs, I think it would be a BAD idea to walk them through the house to the outside (in case you work in the basement sowing seeds and bring them up through the kitchen)

My idea is that a piece of glass or plexiglass could go over all, but I haven't priced it. Just now while typing, I thought of a different way: The other idea is to use your clean and fresh soil in the ground and put the crates upside down over the ground. They are open for sun and water and yet are heavy enough not to blow away, though I might be tempted to put a brick or hook to hold them down in case of a fierce windstorm. Sow your seed on the ground - no transplanting necessary.

I stopped at a place where the groundsmen were planting out mums a couple months ago and got 2 sets of 500 matching pots (2 sizes).
My idea is to go to Costco and buy some plastic drinking glasses to put over the top. Poke holes in them and they should fit one of the 2 sizes of pots I got.

I can't wait to hear other people's ideas because I hate the trash-look!

Lime

I use a variety of containers, including milk jugs, both gal. & 1/2 gal, 2L soda bottles, and flats.

The flats are made up of saved 3-4 inch plastic nursery pots from pervious years or given to me by friends. The little pots are put in the flats used by nurseries and collected from big box stores, nurseries, or friends. Then those are placed in a clear plastic bag with holes punched in the top & bottom for air and moisture.

Other small pots are put into medium or large plastic containers which have holes drilled in the bottoms and tops for drainage etc.

I think 300 milk jugs nicely lined up in rows looks neat. Your husband might find a few large plastic containers in rows looks much neater.

Bobbie

I do almost all of my planting in large disposable aluminum steam table trays I get from the restaurant supply store. they cost less than $1, and I usually sow 3 types of seeds in each, separated by a sheet of cardboard slipped into the dirt. I slip each tray in a clear plastic trash bag and -- voila! -- matchy-match!

I use seed flats/clear lids with the separators removed. I can usually reuse the containers for several seasons. They are a little trickier because they are so large that I'm usually tempted to sow several types of seeds and they don't usually all germinate at the same rate. I have used smaller containers set inside the seed flats on occasion. I can trade out the germinated group when needed.

Lisa

Find a new husband

Susan! Too funny!

Necia

Susan, that was my thought but for a change I kept my mouth closed.

My husband has never nixed anything I've wanted to do because I have never enabled him to do so. No SWMBOs in this house, ever. Only a 55 year old crotchety old bat who prefers gallon milk jugs. :-)

Karen

Thank you all for the ideas! I'm glad everyone's interested.

I laughed out loud when I saw Susan's post. I love him dearly and have put too much effort into his training. I could stand my ground and have my pot ghetto again, but I confess, I too would prefer something neater.

Lime, it sounds like you scored with the mum pots. I was starting to think you had the right idea about planting them directly in the ground. I could add a row cover and use a little container to carry the already sown seeds outside. Maybe a milk jug would work ;o) Darn, right back where I started.

I found some inexpensively priced catering type containers and a source for propagation trays for about $2.00 a sq ft. Those are both considerations. I'd love something big that I can divide. What is a masonry tray? I googled it, and didn't come up with much. I'm wondering if I had him fence in my containers with some 2' tall latice, if it would look better.

Thanks for the ideas. Shoot me some more if you have them.

Squirrel girl

I think the masonry tray is like a big, black kitty litter box. They're sold at home centers, for mixing up small amounts of cement, mortar, etc. They're over near cement supplies. I have two, and find them very useful. I think they sell for about $6 each, and are at most 5 inches deep.

I think the nicest-looking w-sow setup I've seen used big, totally clear Sterilite boxes. The gardener put smaller containers inside, in cups or 2-liter bottles or something. Those containers are not cheap, but I'd love to have them.

Oh looky, I found photos (look for the first ones in the thread):

Here is a link that might be useful: sterilite

Here is one more idea for you. Last year when I ran out of milk jugs and 2 liter bottles, I bought a few clear (lid also)sterlite containers. These were large containers that could be used for storage. I put holes in the lid and the bottom (using a wood burner). Then planted seeds in styrofoam cups. I was able to fit quite a few in each container. I bought 2 different kinds of containers some that were short (under the bed type) and some that were tall. The short containers held the moisture better, but they did not have a lot of room for the plants to grow once they sprouted. I had a pretty good success rate using these.
Ginger

I ordered pots from Mortons in 2004. I just looked up my order to try to determine how much it was but it doesn't give me the quantity of pots I ordered for all sizes. The only one it gave me was the gallon pots 200 for $28.00. I also ordered a bunch of 5 1/2 azalea pots and a box of the 4 inchers. You could take a look at their site or maybe someone could recommend a better one. Just be aware of what these mail order companies will charge you on shipping.

I like the consistancy of the pots in the yard much better than a variety of containers. I like the azalea pots the best now. They are easy to stack when they are not in use.

If you have a local freecycle program, that may also be an avenue for you. People often offer their nursery pots to keep them out of the landfill. You might try a posting to see if you can get identical sizes.

One thing that tends to show up in my local Goodwill is plastic shoeboxes. They're just right for about two kinds/varieties of seeds, spaced about an inch apart, and they're deep enough to stay moist.

I have an El Cheapo dollar store soldering iron that I use to burn holes in the bottoms for drainage. But do it outside, as it does tend to stink.

Sue

I was going to ask about drilling holes in the sterilite containers. I tried it and ended up cracking the container. It's still usable but thought there had to be a better way. GGWM and Belgianpup answered my question. Now I know I need a soldering iron or wood burning tool.
This is my first year winter sewing and I have many yogurt containers I want to put in the clear tubs. I managed to drill holes in them with out cracking most of them. I need a couple more sterilite containers and I will be ready. I'm having a hard time waiting though, in fact I have jumped the gun a little and planted some snapdragon seeds the other day in one of those aluminum bake dishes with the clear plastic lid. I just couldn't help myself. Also not sure when to plant thigs like snapdragons and poppies in my zone. I know if I were direct sewing them it would be in the fall. I guess I'll just see how they do.

To drill the holes in the Sterilite boxes, my hubby started with a tiny drill bit to make a pilot hole, then followed up with the either 1/4 or 1/2 inch bit. This worked for both the tops and the bottoms.

Ive got my beds mulched with several "inches" of leaves. Im thinking of tucking the containers into the leaves with only the tops peeking out to get the sun.

Tip=Use new sharp drill bits- minimal investment- maximum JOY!
Hey- my husband came up with a great idea to keep containers tidy- and not readily viewable from most neighbors- I think he thought I might stop saying a want a green house- But that has not happened- yet. Although, my back hurts much less from lifting from the ground because of his thoughtful gesture-
He put up 2 sets of rubber coated steel wire shelves (from Home Depot) along the whole length of the west side of the garage, and made a plastic drape that can be rolled down from the roof to protect the wee little seedlings from rain and hail and help to insulate them a bit as well. I don't have a great shot of it but this might give you and idea...
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The wood 2x2s support the plastic roll down curtain when it is down- The angled support 2x2s also have holes drilled through them so I can move the pegs that keep the bottom weighted rolled to a cople of different positions.
It really is a great system- and is really quite strong- I did test it's limits this year though- I had gallon pots sitting in trays of water after a heavy storm and huge buss tubs of soaking dirt all along both shelves- and finally- the shelves did collapse with hundreds of pounds of weight... But a few new clips on the wall of the garage- and putting the gallon pots on the ground- and draining the water from the soil took care of it- and now it is back to almost new!

Have you considered just setting up a good, old-fashioned cold-frame? You could possibly even get your husband to build it, making him responsible for how sightly it is. You might have to occasionally water or vent it, but you won't have to look at piles of plastic recyclables all winter long. And the neighbors will probably understand that it's horticulture, not trash, if that makes a difference. My husband complains about every black plastic pot that doesn't get neatly stacked or disposed of by winter. I'd seriously vex him if I started leaving dozens of cut-up milk jugs around the perimeter of the house or garage.

When I run out of 2 liter soda bottles (my preference) I resort to 1 gal nursery pots that I collect from plants purchased at nurseries. Granted I also work for a company that makes them. You might be able to go to a local nursery and ask if they have any you could buy, they're pretty cheap. Then I cut a piece of clear plastic (from dry cleaner bags or the like) and tape it over the top and punch some holes in the plastic. The first year I only tried a few because I was concerned the black sides would hinder the light, but that didn't effect the germination rate one bit. I also keep all of my containers in milk crates, but mainly to keep the dogs out and to keep them from blowing away.

I do like dirtdiver's suggestion of a cold frame. I may give that a try myself.

I know what you mean about once you've trained a DH, no matter what other bad habits he has you've invested too much time in training to give him up. That's what I tell my DH after 33 yrs why would I want to have to train someone new it takes too long.

Happy WSing
Karen