Laurie, let's visit what went wrong. You said they all dried out. How does that happen if they are enclosed with only a top vent? Even with that, you really do have to check on your containers regularly. I look at the milk jugs as 'terrariums' that if moist in the beginning, will stay moist with the hot air being expelled up through the top hole. I am new at this, so if I have the wrong idea, please tell me.

I have made wine bottle terrariums in the past that have lasted for years without ever adding water. I am thinking that this WS process should run on the same idea.

Laurie, I had the same problem last year...but mostly with the "salad type" containers. The milk jugs worked much better for me, and I don't like having to check on them so much. The jugs just held more soil (3-4" deep), which held more water. I think this is a key thing if we don't want to watch the water so closely.

Also, did you have your containers in the shade? This is key to conserving water too.

I just started last year, but found that keeping my soda bottles in some type of base like a 5 gallon paint lid, clear storage container or other recyclable container helped me. I could just pour water into the container when needed and let them absorb water from the bottom.

I did have problems with the shallower containers like cookie, salad, or others that only had only an inch or two of depth. I will be using clear soda and juicy juice containers this year. Milk jugs took more work to keep the lids on for me.

The "flap door approach" to the milk jugs helps this, they just stay together on their own. I couldn't go the route of cutting the jugs in half an taping the tops on. I used the flaps on soda bottles and even some 1 and 2 quarts with good results.