You really have it going on, Patrick! So impressive, not only for your planning, cost-saving and varieties, but your well-made videos. Congrats on consistently moving toward your ultimate goals.
Astounding! We planted peas, broccoli, radishes, 3 types of lettuce and spinach same day! I really love you and your wife's lovely garden, when my hubby wakes up, I plan to show him those shelves and your use of conduit as indeterminate tomato stakes-he's an electrician so yay for repurposing scraps! I just threw weed fabric over my seeds and uncovered on warm days, they are sprouted and about 2 inches high, will have a bit of thinning , but micro greens salad for basically free, so no matter, I do like how you repurposed the butter tubs I'm inspired to repurpose more as well, thank you! Ms. Hope
Great ideas. I have a small green tomato forming on a Stupice plant that I started under a clear plastic bottle in the sunniest bed of my garden. I planted three seeds and transplanted them into cups when they were about 3 inches tall. I left the cups in the soil and covered them with clear plastic bottles then hardened them off a few weeks later. This is working better for me than any other method I have tried for starting tomatoes in cooler weather (only gets down to the 60's here during the day and the 30's at night. No frost this year at all.) I am now doing this with eggplants and peppers too.
I am part of the winter sowing group on Facebook and everyone is wonderful. we help each other out and so many people have creative ideas on sowing in the winter. Love all your videos and can't wait to see what your 2016 garden looks like this season!
So glad you're gonna do the indoor/outdoor winter-sowing experiment. Saving some unfrozen soil for starts is a good idea. I used to ALWAYS run into the problem of being unable to start things I wanted to start outdoors due to frozen soil. The weather would be right, but the soil's still frozen for several days that could be more productively used to kick off germination. Hanging-jug greenhouses are a *brilliant* idea...and PRACTICAL! I look forward to your findings within this experiment. Meanwhile, it's gonna be in the 60's Friday, so I'm *ALL OVER* that jug idea!! YASSSS!
I really appreciate your delivery of information. It’s clear and direct. I’m new to winter gardening and really need information without a lot of extra fluff 👍
Clever idea with the soda pop or other plastic containers to start your seeds in winter outdoors. I saw a gardener do this and it works for her. What a brilliant idea!
Patrick thank you for another great video. You are a delight to watch and listen to. You are always trying to help people save, time, energy and money.
Yes, I am using the same system I did last year. PAPER TOWEL METHOD and the CLEAR TOTES. It is easy on me. Last Fall I did put up the frame work for a small double plastic hoop house. I did it then so I could push the conduit into the ground. You know if I waited until Spring the ground would be frozen or just too cold. This way I can throw the plastic over it and the sun should heat the soil a bit. At least enough to get my cold crops in (MAYBE).
Another great video. We love winter sowing, which we first learned about in the later 1980's from a group of Lakota Sioux farmers. It makes so much sense and is definitely a time and money saver. We have had success with the practice from Zones 4a through 8a.
+Momma Dirt Thanks! I'm glad to hear you've had success with winter sowing! Did the Lakota Sioux farmers use plastic bottles/jugs or some other method?
+OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening Mostly cold frames. I do recall they were using some containers but Steve said he thinks it was the kids projects.
Morning Patrick. It's always tempting to start things early eh, we get impatient during Winter months! My back has been much better and I've been attending to my compost heaps these last few days adding stable muck to the mixture of leaves and coffee grounds. I've been surprised at how much heat has been retained within the heaps of leaves and grounds. I need to find some sheets of 'wood' to act as roofs for 4 of my heaps - rain really slows the composting process eh.
Patrick, I know this video is older but as i watch I wanted to comment. I was surprised you could sow seed in you hoop house in winter bc it's unheated. So that gave me hope. Then I clicked on the next video. Its not yours but maybe you can tell me what you think. It showed something I've never heard of called winter sowing. Planting seeds in jugs like you did but like in December or January. Then they sit outside all winter and come up more naturally. It makes sense HOW it works, but I'm amazed THAT it works! Where the heck have I been not to have heard or at least read about this? lol
Hi Jill. We've been starting seeds outside under protection as early as January for years. In my experience, starting seeds in cold frames, hoop houses, and low tunnels works much better than starting seeds in jugs.
OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening. I searched winter sowing and it seems like in my zone, December 21st is best for sowing. Winter solstice I guess. I think ill try something this year.
+Trudi Davidoff Thanks Trudi! We're currently keeping the caps on over very cold nights but will remove them entirely when the weather gets a little warmer.
I love the henge method! Your cat is so adorable :) That is amazing that you guys are finding a way to start seeds outside around the same time as most are recommend to be started indoors!!! That is so cool :)
+Benja's Uber 1337 Hobby Thanks! I'm glad you like Oscar's cameos. Most of the seeds I planted have sprouted - slower than indoors but making progress.
+The swedish garden amateur Thank you for your interest! We've started cold hardy crops outside many times before but this will be our first time starting warm weather crops. I'm looking forward to starting that experiment in early to mid March!
Great video Patrick! Thanks for the indirect seed starting shout-out :) You saved me from the dark side temptation (I like those 72 cell hex trays too!). I I look forward to seeing your results for starting seeds outdoors, and appreciate the winter seed starting website - very cool!! It's certainly a more green, sustainable and elegant way to start seeds. I am conducting a similar experiment. So far, due the polar vortex resurrection, the indoor chard, kale, and other greens are well in the lead. In my greenhouse, in addition to cold-hearty greens, I started my roots crops in the side beds under a layer of AG30, which I folded, and laid flat to keep the soil retaining moisture and to let in light in the event they actually germinate! Edit: just checked the greenhouse no day-time light + below zero temperatures, froze my side beds!
+Paul D Thanks, Paul! Yeah, I suspect our indoor seeds will get off to a much faster start too. It'll be interesting to see how they make out in the long run. We've been fortunate that our garden soil hasn't frozen yet inside the greenhouse, but the containers have been freezing every night! ;-)
+OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening Gardening... expect the unexpected. You know...I'm thinking of giving this water jug method a try with my next round of brassica, onion, pea and mustard seeds, I wonder if it makes sense to germinate the seeds in the bottles on heat-mats,, and then bring them outside to the greenhouse right away post-germination? P.S. Hopefully I thaw quick b/c they were only frozen for a few days. Last week, my soil was warm and loose...it was the vortex...
+Paul D That's great! Definitely don't start them indoors first. You want the seeds to germinate at the right time for the outside conditions. If you start them inside first, they're more likely to die when you take them outside.
+Dale Calder If you decide to go with the plastic jug in the snow approach, they have some excellent guidelines on the Winter Sowers Facebook page. My approach is more like what Eliot Coleman does, and I view the jugs the same way as I view low tunnels and cold frames (an added layer of protection).
+OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening I will likely put them in the hoop house and I might try some tomatoes in the hoop house in the cold frame.
it would be so cool if you are able to start tomatoes outside in March. since this is my first year starting tomatoes indoors, and I already bought the lights, i'll try a few seeds in some milk jugs outside in March too. I just read a post of someone who did this and she said that she started in April and they still didn't sprout til very early May, so saving her a couple of weeks I guess. So maybe i'll try sprouting them inside then moving outside and cross my fingers they can take the cold from that point. Cant hurt! Thanks for posting this, if it works ill be happy but also admittedly a little bummed that I just bought lights lol
+Jay Val You're in great shape, Jay! It's probably best to start almost all of your tomatoes in your grow room and keep them there until after the last frost. I advise against starting them inside and moving them outside early. You're more likely to lose the plants this way. If you want to experiment with starting some plants outside, it's best to start them from seed outside. This way the seeds won't germinate prematurely and the plants will be well acclimated to the cold.
Love the milk jug idea, I'll be using that for sure. It's winter here in Australia and I'm in a zone somewhere around 8 or 9 so it will let me start my seeds a little earlier.
Great video! I wintersow a lot of my flowers including annuals, perennials and biennials. I’m part of the winter sowing group and now have 135 milk jigs
Evelyn have you ever done daylilies? What zone are you in? Im in 5b and researching better options that filling my house with seeds and lights etc. I do have a greenhouse but it gets so cold im wondering if i did winter sewing if the daylily seeds would make it. Id like to start them in November/December to give them a huge jump on the summer season.
THAT IS A FANTASTIC IDEAL. What a great way to start seeds. Oh, If you wish you can stand outside and tap the greenhouse plastic gently between the supports to stop what we call greenhouse rain from falling on you..
It just gets better and better...THANKS for the link to wintersown. I have subscribed to this method and am filling jugs. I am really interested in your future comparison of WS vs Grow closet, I know you'll do some good science here. thanks again...
Great video. I started tomatoes outside in January. I sowed the seed directly in the bed and I placed an empty water bottle over them. They germinated in two weeks and are looking good. I grow vegetables year round in zone 9b central Florida.
great job with the video, always like to see some of your plantings. My zone 5 looks nothing like yours, as we have 3 feet of snow on the ground. Still very cold here in single digits most nights, But 2 weeks from now, just maybe. Happy Gardening!
Thanks! Our situation is similar to yours this year. We don't have quite 3 feet of snow on the ground, but we have well over a foot and have similar temperatures. I'll start planting under double cover in a week or 2.
About at 5:15 you mentioned starting the seeds in containers inside the hoop house and inside the grow room. Why not put the containers outside? If there is an extended freeze, just cover with a tunnel sheet during those nights. I've had excellent results doing this in a micro-zone 6 in Tennessee, and have friends in zone 5 in Ohio doing the same. And the seedlings don't need hardening off! The container seedlings (by transplant time) seem STRONGER than the ones I used to grow in our mudroom, and then harden off, then transplant. I'm also saving a bundle on my electric bill, by not having to use the heaters, heat mats, fans and grow lights!
We start most of our cool weather crops outside, but this was my first attempt at starting tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants outside. I started some indoors and some outdoors so I could compare the results. The tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants started indoors did much better than those started outdoors.
Great information. A friend of mine was just mentioning her experiments in winter sowing, so now I'm doubly piqued. I look forward to the results of your experiment. Thanks for sharing.
+Lolita's Garden You're welcome! Do you have room in your greenhouse and cold frames to start seeds? That's the best way to go if you have some open space.
I suppose I could. Maybe I focus too much on the lows in the 30s and not enough on the highs in the 90s. And I would if I had not just spent all my free time for the last month making a SUPER seedling table (we needed it). Video soon.
+Lolita's Garden Lows in the 30's? Perfect time to start cool weather crops. You'll need to bring those 90's down though. I look forward to your video!
I'm rarely on Facebook, sorta getting turned off by it, lol, so I'd love a detailed video on how winter sowing vs ISS went for you last year and this one so far. Thanks Patrick
Direct sowing under cover works very well. I didn't have great success sowing in plastic jugs. The cool weather crops did okay, but the summer crops didn't make it (too much moisture and mold in the jugs).
OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening Thanks. I was considering doing more in flats and putting them in unused spots in my hoop houses. Sure appreciate the reply.
How cool, and I've got a lot of those plastic containers, I will be giving this a try, thanks a bunch! I also want to cut down on my electric bill those lights can get costly, I purchased a green house now if I can just set it up! LOL
Hi Patrick, Some great tips, I like the plastic bottle idea. I will try to use fleece over the modules with seeds started by the end of February on windowsill and moved to poly two weeks later, wonder if it will be enough we will see ;)
+Raf's Kitchen Garden Thanks! Be careful when starting seeds inside and setting them out early. They're more likely to be lost than seeds that are started outside. When I start seeds inside, I typically don't move them outside early.
In the case of my own research I came across an article on how some winter gardening was done back before, greenhouses became economically viable. It included a photograph I downloaded taken in the Paris, France area of some gardens using the method, which was to build high walls around fairly narrow plots to shelter the plants from the winds of winter. It occurred to me that part of my garden is in a similar situation, where it is in a narrow space between neighboring duplex units and the Eastern end is obstructed by a high board slat fence leaving one side, the one which seldom gets the wind, the western end, open. My lettuce patch is there. Two plants left over after last season are thriving and I've enjoyed lettuce from them. So I went out and planted more lettuce seeds. I have some sprouts coming up from them. I expect the cold to slow things down a bit, but I like what I see already and I'm going to plant a few more things which are supposed to handle cold weather well with a spring harvest in mind. I kind of wish I had a quick growing cool weather tomato variety to try. So I guess I'll do some more research. As you know I'm still quite new at it and not bothered by failure at this stage. So I'm not afraid to try a few things out.
+Stanley Loper You're right; Paris market gardeners perfected winter gardening in the 19th century. Eliot Coleman covers some of that history in his book "The Winter Harvest Handbook". I'm glad to hear you're experimenting with winter growing!
hey you really make me wish I had put plastic over my hoop house this year. I just never got around to it. It's probably not too late that I could still do it for the spring.. I do have some onions out underneath the plastic jug in the garden. we just had a very cold week though so it will be interesting to see when they sprout. hopefully that's the last cold spell of the year for us
+Organic Gardening in North Carolina It's definitely not too late to get an early start on the season. We're going to set up some temporary low tunnels in the rest of the garden to start more cold hardy crops in March.
Great video! Warning--the last time I hung my winter-sown milk gallons that way, the tape suddenly gave way, the bottom fell open, and I lost my seedlings. So, now I don't hang those ones by the tops any more. Good luck!
Interesting video thanks so much Patrick. I tried starting seeds in a water tub under lights sort of like an Aeroponic approach. So far , results have been fantastic. I start them in the tubs for 4 weeks and then put them under the lights. I'd like to know your thoughts on this approach. I'll be happy to send you pics of my simple set up if you are interested. I'm in Lisle near DG and Naperville.
Thank you for all the wonderful info. Last year, I did an experiment. Some of my tomatoes, I started early indoors on the windowsill. When it was warm enough to transplant them into the garden, I direct sowed some tomato seeds next to them. By July, I could not see a difference between the plants that had a 'headstart' and those that I sowed directly. I plan to sow directly this year, as it is so much less effort.
I live in New England- zone 6. My tomatoes that year were kinda late (both the starts and direct sown ones), and I ended up harvesting the last ones while they were green due to an impending frost, but since I was eating ripe tomatoes off my windowsills right through Christmas I didn't mind! :)
yup zone 8 march sowing is not far away... thanks for the reminders and tips Patrick. Im going more perennial this year growing seaberry, mulberry, moringa, and Persimmions. will be hitting a few traditionals like potatos, peppers, tomatos, and watermelon. Hope you get a chance to check it out this year.
+Permaculture Prepper I'll remove the plastic from the top but keep it on the end walls. The covers will come off the cold frames and low tunnels too. Everything else will remain as is.
+Permaculture Prepper That's great! We'll be adding more perennials this year too. We're still narrowing down the list. What is your average last frost date?
+Martin Sydij Thanks, Martin! The US department of agriculture developed hardiness zones as a guideline to help people identify what plants grow well in their area. I live in zone 5 a, but each layer of protection essentially creates a micro-climate that's 1 1/2 zones to the south. So, the micro-climate under a cold frame is like zone 6b, which is warmer and has an earlier first frost date. I hope this helps!
yeah budd nice to know ur down the block. I need to keep up with ur vid's need to start those bottle greenhouse's.... When should I start my jalapeños and tomatoes ??
+william84p I'm going to start my tomatoes and peppers in early to mid March. I recommend starting some inside at the same time just to be on the safe side. The ones started outside will probably germinate later.
I rarely drink anything from plastic, and when i do i usually get money back for those bottles for the single time a year i actually crave a cola. hmmm.... Cheap clear tubs with a lid maybe. That should work. Would miss the hinge though. Most of my coldhardy stuff (broadbeans, peas, even tried some oriental cabbage type things right outside) now sit under a direct blanket of snow. Let's see how well they do (or not :D) That should *in theory* keep them insulated from any harsh frost or ice rain. I don't mind experimenting a bit with saved seeds i have too many of. I know the broadbeans and peas will be just fine. Not sure about a few *cough* other things. Holland, zone 8.
+melovescoffee You could make a very nice Dutch Lights cold frame with scrap wood and glass windows or doors. Short of a greenhouse, nothing is better than a good cold frame to extend the growing season.
+OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening I would love to do that. I just have one problem, the only space at home i have to pre-sow is my heated livingroom and a small balcony to harden them off or sow things directly outside in pots and flats. My garden is 10 miles away. Btw, the light covering of snow is now melting off the chinese/japanese cabbages. (mizuna, pak choi, rocket) I see no frost dammage and they look very alive. They already survived 2 light night frosts as well. The peppers and non-coldhardy things are all inside. No compromise possible here. They *will* die. They go outside under fleece half may. I plant those right outside in the garden in big blocks in a sunny spot. I had such a massive yield off my green turkish peppers last year that i'm still pulling bags full of it out of the freezer. I doubt i will get through them before the new ones ripen. I love those. So good for cooking. They're not sweet but not hot either. I had such a rediculous glut that i could harvest half a bucket of nice young ones every day and they just kept pushing them out. Eventually i got tired of processing them. The secret to keep peppers producing all the time is harvest, harvest, harvest. As soon as they turn color or get to a certain size or set a good hard skin, they're off the plant.
How did you frame your hoop house? I have a metal frame but the plastic flies off from the bottom, even when I place heavy pots on the bottom. Maybe I need to add wood like you did. Please show me how you added your wood.
I will, I'll probably start it the same time as you. Question what can I use to start my seedlings ?? I have compost coconut coir, and some sea90. A real nice light fixture also
+william84p We have a standard shop light from Home Depot with T8 bulbs. Compost and coconut coir is a pretty good mix. We use 2 parts coir, 1 part organic potting mix, 1 part worm castings, and 1 part course sand.
Hi Patrick, Your sheet looks good, but how to use it if our last frost is 21st of May? We should be zone 5, but who knows for sure. We are situated in heart of Sumava national park in Czech rep., 790m above sea level.
Hi Markéta! Here's a more current planting calendar. Just follow the instructions at the top of the worksheet to use it in your garden. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Atd6d9NeJBIoTCkEet4y_wiO6K2U7fttQDoKji3QEsA/edit?usp=sharing
Patrick, I started gardening a few years ago and really have zero previous experience. In my back yard, I rototilled the soil and began planting some veggies. I'm sure you are cringing now..... Unfortunately, I live in the suburbs and the soil is mostly clay and rocks. Even though I added some manure and compost, I didn't get very good results. The garden area is 16 x 18. I am thinking it is a better idea to build some raised beds instead of using the existing soil as I don't think I'll ever have the soil enriched enough - or fluffy enough - to grow anything worth while. My questions for you - or anyone else - is: What size would make a good raised bed (4x4, 4x6) - how deep should it be and, last, what should I purchase to fill them with (topsoil??). Thanks for any thoughts you can offer!
+Gary Gendreau Hi Gary! I like beds that are 3 to 4 feet wide, because it's easy to reach the center from both sides. The length is really up to you. 8 foot long beds fit nicely in our yard but I'd go longer if we had the space. In my experience it takes about 3 years of annual compost and mulch applications to get the soil in pretty good shape for growing vegetables. So, you really don't need to build raised beds to get great results. If you decide to build the beds, you can fill them with a combination of good top soil and compost. I hope this helps!
My experience has been this will work this year and maybe next year, but eventually a cold snap or consecutive cloudy days will kill an entire years worth of starts. For example; I lost all of my kale and most of my lettuce starts in my cold frames this year in the winter storms that hit the southeast. The solution is obviously more layers, but with our weather that becomes a labor-intensive task as you have to remove it every day (or figure out a venting solution). So with that said I've settled on using my unheated garage and T8 bulbs (pennies to run) and a heat mat hooked up to a thermal plug that trips on if the temp dips low enough. Saves me from space inside, is cost effective, and due to the temps starts the hardening process early. Now just to solve the mouse problem in the garage....
Hi Kay! This spring planting schedule tool includes many cool weather crops that can be planted before the last frost. To make your own copy, select File/Make a Copy or File/Download as Microsoft Excel.
We have great success starting seeds outdoors in the hoop house, cold frames, and low tunnels. The kale and collards started in the jugs did fairly well, but the tomatoes and eggplants didn't make it.
Nice video, are you saying you get apx 1.5 zones per layer of plastic increase? Good idea with the seed starting pods.. too bad I don't drink milk or soda to have all those bottles to repurpose ;-P
+Mary Ann North Wind Acres Mann Hi Mary Ann! Every layer of protection creates a micro-climate roughly 1 1/2 zones to the south. So, if you live in zone 4a, your hoop house will create a zone 5b micro-climate. A cold frame inside your hoop house would create a 7a micro-climate. I hope this helps!
Everything that I started outdoors did great, except for the tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants started in jugs. Interestingly, volunteer tomatoes that came up in a cold frame did very well. Next year I'll try starting these crops outside in cold frames instead of jugs.
+Joshua Wooten You're welcome, Joshua! It's still too cold here for mold to thrive. We've had absolutely no problems with it. If it was warm AND that wet, we'd have problems. As it gets warmer, we'll vent the greenhouse, which will reduce condensation.
+Kyle LaBerge Hi Kyle. I followed up with Mark (I Am NJ Organic), who is an organic farmer in NJ. Yes, the regulations for organic farming do allow you to grow in re-purposed plastic food containers. Mark is an excellent resource for these types of questions. Here is his FB page: facebook.com/iamnjorganic/?fref=ts This is his RUclips channel: ruclips.net/user/iamnjorganic
+OhHowHappyGardener Thanks! So far, the warmest temp I recorded in the bottles was in the 80's, but it could get quite a bit warmer. As the weather warms, I'll first move the bottles out of the greenhouse, then I'll open them up. This will keep the temp under control. We've only watered once so far. The condensation in bottles keeps the soil moist.
+dice341 I think it's easier to plant seeds with the bottle cut, because it gives you more control over seed depth. Also, eventually the bottles will need to be vented by opening them up where they're cut. I hope this helps!
I tried that winter sowing. I had awful results and that facebook page is full of people who hate Jesus so they banned me for talking about him. Next year I'll have some cold frames built and try early again. Michigan grow season is flying by.
We had decent results starting kale and collards in plastic jugs, but tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants didn't do well. We've had much better success with cold frames.
I refuse to use any miracle grow or store bought soil!!!! it grows mites , white flies, fungus flies, gnats of multi-variety !!!! that is because they started using human garbage not garden refuse!!!!! this means meat has been allowed in!!! my worm pit and our garbage has hardly any bugs!!!!!
You really have it going on, Patrick! So impressive, not only for your planning, cost-saving and varieties, but your well-made videos. Congrats on consistently moving toward your ultimate goals.
+Kaye Kittrell | Late Bloomer Urban Organic Garden Show Thumbs up, as always!
+Kaye Kittrell | Late Bloomer Urban Organic Garden Show Thanks so much for your kind words and support, Kaye!
Hanging your bottles is a genius idea! What a space saver! Thanks for your informative video.
Astounding! We planted peas, broccoli, radishes, 3 types of lettuce and spinach same day! I really love you and your wife's lovely garden, when my hubby wakes up, I plan to show him those shelves and your use of conduit as indeterminate tomato stakes-he's an electrician so yay for repurposing scraps! I just threw weed fabric over my seeds and uncovered on warm days, they are sprouted and about 2 inches high, will have a bit of thinning , but micro greens salad for basically free, so no matter, I do like how you repurposed the butter tubs I'm inspired to repurpose more as well, thank you! Ms. Hope
+Beem0b0t Thanks, Ms. Hope! I'm glad to hear your garden is off to an early start too!
Great ideas. I have a small green tomato forming on a Stupice plant that I started under a clear plastic bottle in the sunniest bed of my garden. I planted three seeds and transplanted them into cups when they were about 3 inches tall. I left the cups in the soil and covered them with clear plastic bottles then hardened them off a few weeks later. This is working better for me than any other method I have tried for starting tomatoes in cooler weather (only gets down to the 60's here during the day and the 30's at night. No frost this year at all.) I am now doing this with eggplants and peppers too.
+DonnaldaSmolens Thanks, Donnalda! I like your approach and am glad to hear it is working well!
I am part of the winter sowing group on Facebook and everyone is wonderful. we help each other out and so many people have creative ideas on sowing in the winter. Love all your videos and can't wait to see what your 2016 garden looks like this season!
+Yvonne H. (Von) Thanks, Yvonne! I'm glad to hear you were already part of the winter sowers group!
Those hanging-cloth-hanger-mini-greenhouse-bottles are def winners, especially under the ridge - the warmest place of your hoop house.
+atizeg Thanks! Now I just need to collect more bottles and jugs! ;-)
Would shopping/produce bags work?!? Or off cuts of the hoop house plastic...
+atizeg Yes, I think you could use bags too!
Patrick I am glad you put up that greenhouse build. I am in Co and I believe that a greenhouse will help tremendously. Thank you
+Chad Prokop You're very welcome, Chad! I'm glad you found the build videos helpful.
More interesting information Patrick. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes Bob.
+Bob Lt (BobMel's Gardening) Thanks, Bob!
So glad you're gonna do the indoor/outdoor winter-sowing experiment.
Saving some unfrozen soil for starts is a good idea. I used to ALWAYS run into the problem of being unable to start things I wanted to start outdoors due to frozen soil. The weather would be right, but the soil's still frozen for several days that could be more productively used to kick off germination.
Hanging-jug greenhouses are a *brilliant* idea...and PRACTICAL!
I look forward to your findings within this experiment.
Meanwhile, it's gonna be in the 60's Friday, so I'm *ALL OVER* that jug idea!! YASSSS!
+ToughLoveTV Thanks! Enjoy the warm weather Friday!
I really appreciate your delivery of information. It’s clear and direct. I’m new to winter gardening and really need information without a lot of extra fluff 👍
It's that time of year again! Those are some great ideas.
+Rainbow Gardens Thanks, Donna!
Clever idea with the soda pop or other plastic containers to start your seeds in winter outdoors. I saw a gardener do this and it works for her. What a brilliant idea!
+wildchook (Mary) Thanks! Yes, it works very well.
Patrick thank you for another great video. You are a delight to watch and listen to. You are always trying to help people save, time, energy and money.
+LARK'S GARDENS Thanks so much, Lark! You're probably way ahead of me with your seed starting. Are you using the same approach you used last year?
Yes, I am using the same system I did last year. PAPER TOWEL METHOD and the CLEAR TOTES. It is easy on me. Last Fall I did put up the frame work for a small double plastic hoop house. I did it then so I could push the conduit into the ground. You know if I waited until Spring the ground would be frozen or just too cold. This way I can throw the plastic over it and the sun should heat the soil a bit. At least enough to get my cold crops in (MAYBE).
+LARK'S GARDENS You really get off to an early start with your approach!
Good to see Oscar. 60 degrees this weekend, have to open that greenhouse, some. Thanks for posting.
+ratoneJR Thanks! We should hit the mid 50's of Friday. A little taste of spring in February!
Another great video. We love winter sowing, which we first learned about in the later 1980's from a group of Lakota Sioux farmers. It makes so much sense and is definitely a time and money saver. We have had success with the practice from Zones 4a through 8a.
+Momma Dirt Thanks! I'm glad to hear you've had success with winter sowing! Did the Lakota Sioux farmers use plastic bottles/jugs or some other method?
+OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening Mostly cold frames. I do recall they were using some containers but Steve said he thinks it was the kids projects.
+Momma Dirt Thanks!
Morning Patrick. It's always tempting to start things early eh, we get impatient during Winter months! My back has been much better and I've been attending to my compost heaps these last few days adding stable muck to the mixture of leaves and coffee grounds. I've been surprised at how much heat has been retained within the heaps of leaves and grounds. I need to find some sheets of 'wood' to act as roofs for 4 of my heaps - rain really slows the composting process eh.
+Michael Ball With our short growing season, we pretty much have to start many crops early here. I'm glad your back is better. Take care!
Patrick, I know this video is older but as i watch I wanted to comment. I was surprised you could sow seed in you hoop house in winter bc it's unheated. So that gave me hope. Then I clicked on the next video. Its not yours but maybe you can tell me what you think. It showed something I've never heard of called winter sowing. Planting seeds in jugs like you did but like in December or January. Then they sit outside all winter and come up more naturally. It makes sense HOW it works, but I'm amazed THAT it works! Where the heck have I been not to have heard or at least read about this? lol
Hi Jill. We've been starting seeds outside under protection as early as January for years. In my experience, starting seeds in cold frames, hoop houses, and low tunnels works much better than starting seeds in jugs.
OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening. I searched winter sowing and it seems like in my zone, December 21st is best for sowing. Winter solstice I guess. I think ill try something this year.
You totally rock! Thank you so much for showing people how to winter sow! I toss out the caps instead of poking them through.
+Trudi Davidoff Thanks Trudi! We're currently keeping the caps on over very cold nights but will remove them entirely when the weather gets a little warmer.
I love the henge method! Your cat is so adorable :) That is amazing that you guys are finding a way to start seeds outside around the same time as most are recommend to be started indoors!!! That is so cool :)
+Benja's Uber 1337 Hobby Thanks! I'm glad you like Oscar's cameos. Most of the seeds I planted have sprouted - slower than indoors but making progress.
I have 2 cats (Bruce and Borris) that i want to get on video much more often but never seem to be around when im making the videos :0)
+Benja's Uber 1337 Hobby Oscar is drawn to the camera like metal to a magnet! ;-)
+OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening He is so cute :)
Thanks for the great video. It's getting to be that time of the year again to start sowing!
You're welcome, Lily! Happy planting!
Just built 4 raised beds and filled them, took a shower, looked on youtube and a video on starting seeds. Thats good timing.
Rik Thomas right now, they are just sore thumbs, but this is my second spring in this house, and last year I wasnt home enough to prepare.
+B Cook That's great! I'm glad the video was timely. Best wishes with your garden this year!
Excellent! I am looking to follow your examples as much as possible this growing season. THANK YOU!
+MushroomPatch Thanks! I'm glad you've found my videos helpful!
Locking forward to se the compair! If this works it's surtenly an awesome way to start your seedlings🌸I will try some in my greenhouse as well!🌸
+The swedish garden amateur Thank you for your interest! We've started cold hardy crops outside many times before but this will be our first time starting warm weather crops. I'm looking forward to starting that experiment in early to mid March!
Great video Patrick! Thanks for the indirect seed starting shout-out :) You saved me from the dark side temptation (I like those 72 cell hex trays too!). I I look forward to seeing your results for starting seeds outdoors, and appreciate the winter seed starting website - very cool!! It's certainly a more green, sustainable and elegant way to start seeds.
I am conducting a similar experiment. So far, due the polar vortex resurrection, the indoor chard, kale, and other greens are well in the lead. In my greenhouse, in addition to cold-hearty greens, I started my roots crops in the side beds under a layer of AG30, which I folded, and laid flat to keep the soil retaining moisture and to let in light in the event they actually germinate! Edit: just checked the greenhouse no day-time light + below zero temperatures, froze my side beds!
+Paul D Thanks, Paul! Yeah, I suspect our indoor seeds will get off to a much faster start too. It'll be interesting to see how they make out in the long run. We've been fortunate that our garden soil hasn't frozen yet inside the greenhouse, but the containers have been freezing every night! ;-)
+OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening Gardening... expect the unexpected. You know...I'm thinking of giving this water jug method a try with my next round of brassica, onion, pea and mustard seeds, I wonder if it makes sense to germinate the seeds in the bottles on heat-mats,, and then bring them outside to the greenhouse right away post-germination? P.S. Hopefully I thaw quick b/c they were only frozen for a few days. Last week, my soil was warm and loose...it was the vortex...
+Paul D That's great! Definitely don't start them indoors first. You want the seeds to germinate at the right time for the outside conditions. If you start them inside first, they're more likely to die when you take them outside.
Ah...makes sense. Man..always trying to out smart nature and take shortcuts. Guilty as charged,
It's so much work starting seeds indoors. I appreciate your tutorial on your theory of gardening, low work more results. Thank you.
+chowceo You're very welcome! Thank you!
As allays your info is very much appreciated.
+Dritan Bega Thanks!
First time I saw this done was watching Nora and Brian in the UK I wasn't aware that anyone was doing it in this climate. Now I have to give it a try.
+Dale Calder If you decide to go with the plastic jug in the snow approach, they have some excellent guidelines on the Winter Sowers Facebook page. My approach is more like what Eliot Coleman does, and I view the jugs the same way as I view low tunnels and cold frames (an added layer of protection).
+OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening I will likely put them in the hoop house and I might try some tomatoes in the hoop house in the cold frame.
***** Great! That's the approach I'm taking too. It should yield better results.
it would be so cool if you are able to start tomatoes outside in March. since this is my first year starting tomatoes indoors, and I already bought the lights, i'll try a few seeds in some milk jugs outside in March too. I just read a post of someone who did this and she said that she started in April and they still didn't sprout til very early May, so saving her a couple of weeks I guess. So maybe i'll try sprouting them inside then moving outside and cross my fingers they can take the cold from that point. Cant hurt! Thanks for posting this, if it works ill be happy but also admittedly a little bummed that I just bought lights lol
+Jay Val You're in great shape, Jay! It's probably best to start almost all of your tomatoes in your grow room and keep them there until after the last frost.
I advise against starting them inside and moving them outside early. You're more likely to lose the plants this way. If you want to experiment with starting some plants outside, it's best to start them from seed outside. This way the seeds won't germinate prematurely and the plants will be well acclimated to the cold.
I can't wait to find out if all of the winter planting works for you!!! I'm curious and excited to know. Much love to Oscar!!!
+gippywhite Thank you for your interest! Oscar says hi!
Love the milk jug idea, I'll be using that for sure.
It's winter here in Australia and I'm in a zone somewhere around 8 or 9 so it will let me start my seeds a little earlier.
Great idea using plastic bottles, I will definitely give it a go this year.
+Ali Tajik Thanks, Ali!
Great video! I wintersow a lot of my flowers including annuals, perennials and biennials. I’m part of the winter sowing group and now have 135 milk jigs
Thanks Evelyn! Best wishes with your winter sowing.
Evelyn have you ever done daylilies? What zone are you in? Im in 5b and researching better options that filling my house with seeds and lights etc. I do have a greenhouse but it gets so cold im wondering if i did winter sewing if the daylily seeds would make it. Id like to start them in November/December to give them a huge jump on the summer season.
I look forward to the results.
+OmgKittys78 Thanks!
THAT IS A FANTASTIC IDEAL. What a great way to start seeds. Oh, If you wish you can stand outside and tap the greenhouse plastic gently between the supports to stop what we call greenhouse rain from falling on you..
+I AM NJ ORGANIC:farm:garden Thanks, Mark! It felt like a nice spring shower. ;-)
That is very cool! If I had enough sun I'd definitely try that. So far I am still waiting for my house to stop shading the garden.
+Alberta Urban Garden Simple Organic and Sustainable Thanks!
It just gets better and better...THANKS for the link to wintersown.
I have subscribed to this method and am filling jugs.
I am really interested in your future comparison of WS vs Grow closet, I know you'll do some good science here.
thanks again...
+Barry Winters You're very welcome, Barry!
+juicing gardener has some really good info on the winter sowing. I plan on starting it soon here in NWI
+Mrs AK910 Yes she does! Best wishes with your winter sowing!
Really great ideas. I am certain that you will have a great result. Looking forward to the update.
+Cultivating Organic by greenwiseJo Thanks!
yeah man I'm in Niles Il. I'm just glad to see finally someone who I can really mock the practices you do since we both get the same weather.
+william84p Hi neighbor! I hope some of what I do proves helpful in your garden as well.
Just found your channel I want to say thank you for the information truly good stuff i look forward to more great videos.
+Nick B Thanks! Welcome to the channel!
Great video. I started tomatoes outside in January. I sowed the seed directly in the bed and I placed an empty water bottle over them. They germinated in two weeks and are looking good. I grow vegetables year round in zone 9b central Florida.
Thanks Roland! I hope you have a great tomato crop.
great job with the video, always like to see some of your plantings. My zone 5 looks nothing like yours, as we have 3 feet of snow on the ground. Still very cold here in single digits most nights, But 2 weeks from now, just maybe. Happy Gardening!
Thanks! Our situation is similar to yours this year. We don't have quite 3 feet of snow on the ground, but we have well over a foot and have similar temperatures. I'll start planting under double cover in a week or 2.
About at 5:15 you mentioned starting the seeds in containers inside the hoop house and inside the grow room. Why not put the containers outside? If there is an extended freeze, just cover with a tunnel sheet during those nights. I've had excellent results doing this in a micro-zone 6 in Tennessee, and have friends in zone 5 in Ohio doing the same. And the seedlings don't need hardening off! The container seedlings (by transplant time) seem STRONGER than the ones I used to grow in our mudroom, and then harden off, then transplant. I'm also saving a bundle on my electric bill, by not having to use the heaters, heat mats, fans and grow lights!
We start most of our cool weather crops outside, but this was my first attempt at starting tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants outside. I started some indoors and some outdoors so I could compare the results. The tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants started indoors did much better than those started outdoors.
Great information. A friend of mine was just mentioning her experiments in winter sowing, so now I'm doubly piqued. I look forward to the results of your experiment. Thanks for sharing.
+Lolita's Garden You're welcome! Do you have room in your greenhouse and cold frames to start seeds? That's the best way to go if you have some open space.
I suppose I could. Maybe I focus too much on the lows in the 30s and not enough on the highs in the 90s. And I would if I had not just spent all my free time for the last month making a SUPER seedling table (we needed it). Video soon.
+Lolita's Garden Lows in the 30's? Perfect time to start cool weather crops. You'll need to bring those 90's down though. I look forward to your video!
I'm rarely on Facebook, sorta getting turned off by it, lol, so I'd love a detailed video on how winter sowing vs ISS went for you last year and this one so far.
Thanks Patrick
Direct sowing under cover works very well. I didn't have great success sowing in plastic jugs. The cool weather crops did okay, but the summer crops didn't make it (too much moisture and mold in the jugs).
OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening
Thanks. I was considering doing more in flats and putting them in unused spots in my hoop houses.
Sure appreciate the reply.
How cool, and I've got a lot of those plastic containers, I will be giving this a try, thanks a bunch! I also want to cut down on my electric bill those lights can get costly, I purchased a green house now if I can just set it up! LOL
+Shelita Williams That's great, Shelita! Your greenhouse will definitely help you get an early start on the season.
Fantastic ideas Patrick.
+Patrick Meehan Thanks, Patrick!
The hoop house garden looks good. I hope to have one soon.
+High Desert Garden (Phillip) Thanks, Phillip! Are you going to enclose the structure you built for your tomatoes?
+OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening that's the plan. So many projects.
I start seeds outside in zone 3 in February. I use winter sowing.
Good luck in the new season Mr!
+Catalin Oancea Thanks, Catalin!
Love the idea to hang the jugs to save space! Looking forward to see how the tomatoes and the peppers do compare to the inside ones.
+Elyse Joseph Thanks, Elyse! We've got some seedlings coming up already. We'll plant the tomatoes and peppers in a couple weeks.
I'll be keen to see how your new "tiny greenhouses" go mate. I think it could be genius!
+McDowall Manor Thanks, Andy! I looking forward to it too, especially with the warm weather crops.
Hi Patrick, Some great tips, I like the plastic bottle idea. I will try to use fleece over the modules with seeds started by the end of February on windowsill and moved to poly two weeks later, wonder if it will be enough we will see ;)
+Raf's Kitchen Garden Thanks! Be careful when starting seeds inside and setting them out early. They're more likely to be lost than seeds that are started outside. When I start seeds inside, I typically don't move them outside early.
In the case of my own research I came across an article on how some winter gardening was done back before, greenhouses became economically viable. It included a photograph I downloaded taken in the Paris, France area of some gardens using the method, which was to build high walls around fairly narrow plots to shelter the plants from the winds of winter. It occurred to me that part of my garden is in a similar situation, where it is in a narrow space between neighboring duplex units and the Eastern end is obstructed by a high board slat fence leaving one side, the one which seldom gets the wind, the western end, open. My lettuce patch is there. Two plants left over after last season are thriving and I've enjoyed lettuce from them. So I went out and planted more lettuce seeds. I have some sprouts coming up from them. I expect the cold to slow things down a bit, but I like what I see already and I'm going to plant a few more things which are supposed to handle cold weather well with a spring harvest in mind. I kind of wish I had a quick growing cool weather tomato variety to try. So I guess I'll do some more research.
As you know I'm still quite new at it and not bothered by failure at this stage. So I'm not afraid to try a few things out.
+Stanley Loper You're right; Paris market gardeners perfected winter gardening in the 19th century. Eliot Coleman covers some of that history in his book "The Winter Harvest Handbook". I'm glad to hear you're experimenting with winter growing!
hey you really make me wish I had put plastic over my hoop house this year. I just never got around to it. It's probably not too late that I could still do it for the spring.. I do have some onions out underneath the plastic jug in the garden. we just had a very cold week though so it will be interesting to see when they sprout. hopefully that's the last cold spell of the year for us
+Organic Gardening in North Carolina It's definitely not too late to get an early start on the season. We're going to set up some temporary low tunnels in the rest of the garden to start more cold hardy crops in March.
That's a great idea. I'm building a hoop house this summer!
Thanks!
I never tried starting seeds in a plastic milk jug. Thank you for the information : )
+Oukoyami You're very welcome!
Lots of great stuff .
+superslyfoxx1 Thanks, Nicole!
Great video! Warning--the last time I hung my winter-sown milk gallons that way, the tape suddenly gave way, the bottom fell open, and I lost my seedlings. So, now I don't hang those ones by the tops any more. Good luck!
+Ruth Williamson Thanks Ruth! I appreciate the heads up. I'll keep an eye on them.
+Ruth Williamson
Maybe if they were supported by the bottom only then you could hang them.
+chevy6299 Clear duct tape should hold.
+OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening Your tape is probably better than mine. I used dollar store duct tape, LOL!
+Ruth Williamson I'll definitely heed your advice, Ruth, and double check them to make sure they're secure.
im in nc zone 8 its feb 14 th 2016 and its really cold right now . but im trying to seed inside now.
+ginny L It's a great time to start sowing seeds in your area!
Interesting video thanks so much Patrick.
I tried starting seeds in a water tub under lights sort of like an Aeroponic approach.
So far , results have been fantastic. I start them in the tubs for 4 weeks and then put them under the lights. I'd like to know your thoughts on this approach. I'll be happy to send you pics of my simple set up if you are interested. I'm in Lisle near DG and Naperville.
Thanks, Rick! Please feel free to post pics on my FB page: facebook.com/oneyardrevolution/notifications/ I'm not at all familiar with that approach.
Thank you for all the wonderful info.
Last year, I did an experiment. Some of my tomatoes, I started early indoors on the windowsill. When it was warm enough to transplant them into the garden, I direct sowed some tomato seeds next to them.
By July, I could not see a difference between the plants that had a 'headstart' and those that I sowed directly.
I plan to sow directly this year, as it is so much less effort.
+Sandra Noneofyourbusiness Interesting! What zone do you live in?
I live in New England- zone 6.
My tomatoes that year were kinda late (both the starts and direct sown ones), and I ended up harvesting the last ones while they were green due to an impending frost, but since I was eating ripe tomatoes off my windowsills right through Christmas I didn't mind! :)
yup zone 8 march sowing is not far away... thanks for the reminders and tips Patrick. Im going more perennial this year growing seaberry, mulberry, moringa, and Persimmions. will be hitting a few traditionals like potatos, peppers, tomatos, and watermelon. Hope you get a chance to check it out this year.
+Permaculture Prepper was wondering what you will be doing with the large hoop house come april ? packing it in?
+Permaculture Prepper I'll remove the plastic from the top but keep it on the end walls. The covers will come off the cold frames and low tunnels too. Everything else will remain as is.
+Permaculture Prepper That's great! We'll be adding more perennials this year too. We're still narrowing down the list. What is your average last frost date?
Im zone 8, so what you said, march 14... 18
+Permaculture Prepper Good! I was just checking to see if my zone 8 last frost date applied where you live. It varies quite a bit from place to place.
So I am assuming that zones are just different areas in your gardens that follow a temperature requirement. Another great video!
+Martin Sydij Thanks, Martin! The US department of agriculture developed hardiness zones as a guideline to help people identify what plants grow well in their area. I live in zone 5 a, but each layer of protection essentially creates a micro-climate that's 1 1/2 zones to the south. So, the micro-climate under a cold frame is like zone 6b, which is warmer and has an earlier first frost date. I hope this helps!
Just what I've been thinking about doing!
More great ideas, Thanks.
+chevy6299 You're welcome!
yeah budd nice to know ur down the block. I need to keep up with ur vid's need to start those bottle greenhouse's.... When should I start my jalapeños and tomatoes ??
+william84p I'm going to start my tomatoes and peppers in early to mid March. I recommend starting some inside at the same time just to be on the safe side. The ones started outside will probably germinate later.
Hello Patric do you have update to this video? I couldn’t find it
Thanks
Thanks for the link to the winter sowers in FB.
+chowceo You're very welcome! It's a great resource!
I rarely drink anything from plastic, and when i do i usually get money back for those bottles for the single time a year i actually crave a cola. hmmm.... Cheap clear tubs with a lid maybe. That should work. Would miss the hinge though. Most of my coldhardy stuff (broadbeans, peas, even tried some oriental cabbage type things right outside) now sit under a direct blanket of snow. Let's see how well they do (or not :D) That should *in theory* keep them insulated from any harsh frost or ice rain. I don't mind experimenting a bit with saved seeds i have too many of. I know the broadbeans and peas will be just fine. Not sure about a few *cough* other things. Holland, zone 8.
+melovescoffee You could make a very nice Dutch Lights cold frame with scrap wood and glass windows or doors. Short of a greenhouse, nothing is better than a good cold frame to extend the growing season.
+OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening I would love to do that. I just have one problem, the only space at home i have to pre-sow is my heated livingroom and a small balcony to harden them off or sow things directly outside in pots and flats. My garden is 10 miles away. Btw, the light covering of snow is now melting off the chinese/japanese cabbages. (mizuna, pak choi, rocket) I see no frost dammage and they look very alive. They already survived 2 light night frosts as well.
The peppers and non-coldhardy things are all inside. No compromise possible here. They *will* die. They go outside under fleece half may. I plant those right outside in the garden in big blocks in a sunny spot. I had such a massive yield off my green turkish peppers last year that i'm still pulling bags full of it out of the freezer. I doubt i will get through them before the new ones ripen. I love those. So good for cooking. They're not sweet but not hot either. I had such a rediculous glut that i could harvest half a bucket of nice young ones every day and they just kept pushing them out. Eventually i got tired of processing them. The secret to keep peppers producing all the time is harvest, harvest, harvest. As soon as they turn color or get to a certain size or set a good hard skin, they're off the plant.
+melovescoffee I'm glad to hear your mizuna, pak choi, and rocket made it through the snow!
How did you frame your hoop house? I have a metal frame but the plastic flies off from the bottom, even when I place heavy pots on the bottom. Maybe I need to add wood like you did. Please show me how you added your wood.
I will, I'll probably start it the same time as you. Question what can I use to start my seedlings ?? I have compost coconut coir, and some sea90. A real nice light fixture also
+william84p We have a standard shop light from Home Depot with T8 bulbs. Compost and coconut coir is a pretty good mix. We use 2 parts coir, 1 part organic potting mix, 1 part worm castings, and 1 part course sand.
Hi Patrick, Your sheet looks good, but how to use it if our last frost is 21st of May? We should be zone 5, but who knows for sure. We are situated in heart of Sumava national park in Czech rep., 790m above sea level.
Hi Markéta! Here's a more current planting calendar. Just follow the instructions at the top of the worksheet to use it in your garden. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Atd6d9NeJBIoTCkEet4y_wiO6K2U7fttQDoKji3QEsA/edit?usp=sharing
Patrick,
I started gardening a few years ago and really have zero previous experience. In my back yard, I rototilled the soil and began planting some veggies. I'm sure you are cringing now..... Unfortunately, I live in the suburbs and the soil is mostly clay and rocks. Even though I added some manure and compost, I didn't get very good results. The garden area is 16 x 18. I am thinking it is a better idea to build some raised beds instead of using the existing soil as I don't think I'll ever have the soil enriched enough - or fluffy enough - to grow anything worth while. My questions for you - or anyone else - is: What size would make a good raised bed (4x4, 4x6) - how deep should it be and, last, what should I purchase to fill them with (topsoil??). Thanks for any thoughts you can offer!
+Gary Gendreau Hi Gary! I like beds that are 3 to 4 feet wide, because it's easy to reach the center from both sides. The length is really up to you. 8 foot long beds fit nicely in our yard but I'd go longer if we had the space.
In my experience it takes about 3 years of annual compost and mulch applications to get the soil in pretty good shape for growing vegetables. So, you really don't need to build raised beds to get great results. If you decide to build the beds, you can fill them with a combination of good top soil and compost.
I hope this helps!
Thanks, Patrick. That helps a lot.
+Gary Gendreau You're welcome, Gary!
i realy like your information,,thanks
+jeanne miller You're very welcome, Jeanne!
My experience has been this will work this year and maybe next year, but eventually a cold snap or consecutive cloudy days will kill an entire years worth of starts. For example; I lost all of my kale and most of my lettuce starts in my cold frames this year in the winter storms that hit the southeast. The solution is obviously more layers, but with our weather that becomes a labor-intensive task as you have to remove it every day (or figure out a venting solution).
So with that said I've settled on using my unheated garage and T8 bulbs (pennies to run) and a heat mat hooked up to a thermal plug that trips on if the temp dips low enough. Saves me from space inside, is cost effective, and due to the temps starts the hardening process early. Now just to solve the mouse problem in the garage....
+Matthew Writt I'm sorry to hear that you lost your plant starts, Matthew. Were the plants that were lost started from seed outside?
Where can I get a list of veggies to plant in cooler weather like you have here?
Hi Kay! This spring planting schedule tool includes many cool weather crops that can be planted before the last frost. To make your own copy, select File/Make a Copy or File/Download as Microsoft Excel.
I,dont,have those options
Sorry, I forgot to include the link: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Atd6d9NeJBIoTCkEet4y_wiO6K2U7fttQDoKji3QEsA/edit?usp=sharing
got try this THANK YOU !
+Rob S5 I hope it works great for you!
I was about to ask about how you made the hanging potters from the other video. :)
Patrick do you have a name or link for the spray nozzle that you use to water your trays?
Hi Lorann! This is what we use: www.harborfreight.com/4-gal-backpack-sprayer-63036.html
Patrick do you have to water the bottles or do they retain enough moisture for the seedlings?
+Joseph Strattard Good point, Joseph! You do have to water, but much less frequently than in the grow room.
Patrick do you keep the cap on your bottles like you did for your Georgia Collards?
+Joseph Strattard Hi Joseph! We only put the caps on when it was very cold. The caps are off now that it's warming up a bit.
How did this method end up working for you?
We have great success starting seeds outdoors in the hoop house, cold frames, and low tunnels. The kale and collards started in the jugs did fairly well, but the tomatoes and eggplants didn't make it.
So.. zone 5..but only if you have a hoop house that mimics zone 8...
Hey budd where in zone 5 are u at ?
+william84p Chicago. Are you in zone 5 too?
Nice video, are you saying you get apx 1.5 zones per layer of plastic increase? Good idea with the seed starting pods.. too bad I don't drink milk or soda to have all those bottles to repurpose ;-P
How do you determine your adjusted growing season? I'm in zone 4 so I'm assuming I could create a zone 7 in my hoop house?
+Mary Ann North Wind Acres Mann Hi Mary Ann! Every layer of protection creates a micro-climate roughly 1 1/2 zones to the south. So, if you live in zone 4a, your hoop house will create a zone 5b micro-climate. A cold frame inside your hoop house would create a 7a micro-climate. I hope this helps!
+OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening thank you!
+Mary Ann North Wind Acres Mann You're welcome!
So how did it compare this year?
Everything that I started outdoors did great, except for the tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants started in jugs. Interestingly, volunteer tomatoes that came up in a cold frame did very well. Next year I'll try starting these crops outside in cold frames instead of jugs.
Thanks for sharing. I've been thinking of building a hoophouse lately. I noticed the condensation within yours. Have you had any issues with mold?
+Joshua Wooten You're welcome, Joshua! It's still too cold here for mold to thrive. We've had absolutely no problems with it. If it was warm AND that wet, we'd have problems. As it gets warmer, we'll vent the greenhouse, which will reduce condensation.
This may be a stupid question, but is it considered organic when growing in plastic jugs?
+Kyle LaBerge I'll ask an organic farmer and get back to you. OMRI products are often packaged in plastic, so they clearly haven't banned it entirely.
+Kyle LaBerge Hi Kyle. I followed up with Mark (I Am NJ Organic), who is an organic farmer in NJ. Yes, the regulations for organic farming do allow you to grow in re-purposed plastic food containers.
Mark is an excellent resource for these types of questions. Here is his FB page: facebook.com/iamnjorganic/?fref=ts
This is his RUclips channel: ruclips.net/user/iamnjorganic
+OneYardRevolution | Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening Awesome! thanks so much and i'm definitely going to check out those links. Thanks again.
Great ideas! I wonder how warm the inside of those jugs get. How often do you have to add water?
+OhHowHappyGardener Thanks! So far, the warmest temp I recorded in the bottles was in the 80's, but it could get quite a bit warmer. As the weather warms, I'll first move the bottles out of the greenhouse, then I'll open them up. This will keep the temp under control. We've only watered once so far. The condensation in bottles keeps the soil moist.
Could you not cut the bottle and just drop dirt and seeds down the hole?
+dice341 I think it's easier to plant seeds with the bottle cut, because it gives you more control over seed depth. Also, eventually the bottles will need to be vented by opening them up where they're cut. I hope this helps!
I thought we were talking g about zone 5
I tried that winter sowing. I had awful results and that facebook page is full of people who hate Jesus so they banned me for talking about him. Next year I'll have some cold frames built and try early again. Michigan grow season is flying by.
We had decent results starting kale and collards in plastic jugs, but tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants didn't do well. We've had much better success with cold frames.
I refuse to use any miracle grow or store bought soil!!!! it grows mites , white flies, fungus flies, gnats of multi-variety !!!! that is because they started using human garbage not garden refuse!!!!! this means meat has been allowed in!!! my worm pit and our garbage has hardly any bugs!!!!!
for your health, please stop smoking.
+wk801 That'll be easy. I've never smoked one in my entire life.