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How to Start Seeds When Your Home Has no Light or Space

March 1, 2020

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The seed catalogues are calling your name, but your home leaves much to be desired to start this years seeds.  Maybe you don’t have a south facing window, or the one you do have has no ledge to rest plants on, or your apartment is basically a window-less dungeon.  You’d like to get a grow light set up, but let’s be real.  You don’t have the space, your kids or pets would get into everything, and you just feel like scrapping the whole idea.  Besides, who has $200-$600 for a really nice set-up with shelves and everything?

There is another way.

Do you drink milk from plastic jugs?  (Or could you get someone who does to save theirs for you?)

Do you have a small deck or other flat outdoor space that gets a decent amount of light?

Great!  You can start seeds this year. . . even if you live in a place as cold as zone 3.   I’ll show you how.

Have you ever wondered if you can winter sow flowers and vegetables in zone 3?  Yes you can!  Start your seeds the easy way--even if you have no light and no space in your small house. #wintersowing #seedstarting #gardening #zone3

Like to see how it’s done? You can watch this video below if you prefer that kind of content:

Seed Starting Without a Grow Light or a Window?!?!

The seed starting method I’m sharing with you today sounds too good to be true–but I promise you that it does actually work, although there are a few limitations which I’ll share at the end.  Winter sowing originally started out as a cheap and effective way to start perennial flowers from seeds, but the method can be applied to vegetables as well.

I live in Saskatoon, SK, which is in zone 3b and has a short growing season of approximately 100 days, give or take depending on that year’s weather and which sources frost dates you believe.  Two years ago I tried my first small experiment with winter sowing (or milk jug gardening, as it’s sometimes referred to) and it was a success.

Every year I keep experimenting more with what works and what doesn’t and I’ll keep this post updated from year to year. This post is now current as of March 2020.

Winter Sowing Works–Even in Cold Climates Like Zone 3

I started a few cool-weather vegetables that I thought had a decent chance of succeeding–lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, spinach, and radishes.  The Swiss chard and radishes were a failure, but I was very pleased with how the lettuce, kale, and spinach turned out.  (Update: I got both the Swiss chard and the radishes to work the second year.)

The plants that were successful were the first to be ready in my garden, and didn’t need any additional hardening off.  Plus, since they were started outside, they didn’t take up precious window or grow light space in my modest house.

The lettuce started with winter sowing. A little worse for wear from the birds, but otherwise doing well.

This Winter/Spring I plan on experimenting with a lot more flowers and vegetables.  I’ll let you know what else I can get to work.  P.S.–If you’re in a cold climate like I am, the name Winter Sowing is a bit of a misnomer, especially if you’re trying this with vegetables.  I didn’t put my milk jugs out until the end of March, hoping to avoid -30 or -40 weather.  In warmer climates I’d expect you could actually put yours out in Winter.

How to Get Started Winter Sowing with Milk Jugs

To start your own flowers or vegetables, you’ll need…

  • Empty Milk Jugs
  • Scissors
  • Potting Soil
  • Seeds
  • A Fade-Resistant, Permanent Marker
  • Duct Tape
  • Garden Planner, to keep track of everything
The supplies you need to winter sow flowers and vegetables in milk jugs.  The step-by-step instructions are way easier than I thought.  I can't wait to try this in my garden this spring! #seedstarting #wintersowing #gardening #ideas

Start by cutting the milk jug into two pieces to create a place for the soil and seeds.  Fill the bottom part with potting soil and spread your seeds.

For the sake of the pictures, I left these seeds on top of the soil, so you could see how far apart I spread them.  If you were doing this for real, you would push the seeds below the soil, or sprinkle on a light layer of soil over them.

Add a bit of water to the milk jug. You can see approximately how much I add on my Instagram Story highlights.

Next, tape the top part of the milk jug back on and label each jug with what you planted.  Write down which jug has what in your garden planner as well.  Last year I thought my permanent marker would be good enough, but the sun and moisture washed it out completely by the time the plants were ready.

I’ve actually found much better success with putting a garden marker inside the container itself. The words don’t fade out at all, and you can reuse the markers from year to year.

And that’s it!  Set it and forget it until the snow melts and check on it a week or two before you’re ready to plant.

What Vegetables Work Best for Winter Sowing?

My first experiment with winter sowing vegetables in milk jugs.  Here's my results this spring and what I'll be trying next year in the garden #wintersowing #gardening #smallspace #milkjug

Not every vegetable is a good candidate for winter sowing.  Heat loving vegetables that need to be started early like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, or artichokes would not do well.  Avoid vegetables that don’t like to be transplanted, such as carrots, beets, or really, any root vegetable you can think of.

This year I am going to experiment with pumpkins and cucumbers, but I will put them out in their milk jugs much later–probably late April.

Vegetables don’t actually need the freeze and thaw cycles to germinate. However, this method does seem to produce much stronger starters for transplanting. As I experiment more, I will let you know what vegetables are successful and when I think the best time to put your containers out is.

Can Annual Flowers Be Started Using Winter Sowing?

Yes! So far, I’ve been able to start marigolds, zinnias, calendula, and zinnias using the winter sowing methods. In the spring of 2020 I’ll be experimenting with even more flowers.

If you want to experiment with starting annual flowers using milk jugs, it’s a good idea to pick flowers that have a shorter date to maturity, unless you have a longer growing season.

If you’re using the winter sowing method to start perennial flower seeds, like it was intended, feel free to try any perennial that can be started from seed and put them out any time in the winter.

Have you tried winter sowing? (and in what zone?) I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.

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Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

11 Comments
Filed Under: Gardening, Indoor Gardening

About Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

Comments

  1. Malory Engemoen says

    January 4, 2019 at 2:45 pm

    I live in Martensville so definitely will try your advise. Thanks
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      January 7, 2019 at 1:46 pm

      I'd love to know how it goes! If you're not there already, I'd love to have you as part of the Growing Roots Gardening Community on Facebook. Once the season gets going, we share our plant pictures pretty regularly. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2027826297462070/
      Reply
  2. Norma says

    January 5, 2019 at 8:23 am

    Oooo...this makes me so happy! A way to garden in the winter time! Thanks, Kristen!!
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      January 7, 2019 at 1:43 pm

      You're welcome!
      Reply
  3. Kate says

    January 1, 2020 at 5:23 am

    Definitely going to give this a go, especially as we rarely go below -2😁
    Reply
  4. Jukie says

    February 26, 2020 at 6:59 am

    So...do you add water at any time?
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      March 1, 2020 at 11:02 am

      Yes! I need to go back and fix that mistake in the directions. You water them before you close the lid, and check again in April to see if they need more moisture.
      Reply
      • hildie says

        September 20, 2020 at 4:44 pm

        Living in Manitoba. I didn't see any post of putting the lid on. did you not plant them in April and immediately put them outside?
        Reply
        • Kristen Raney says

          September 22, 2020 at 9:10 pm

          You seed them in the containers in March/April and put them immediately outside. It should work with or without the lid, but you do have to monitor how much moisture its getting and water them if they're too try.
          Reply
  5. Sammie says

    March 2, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    Oh, I’m so happy to have found this info!! We moved from California to Idaho last year. So I’m totally new to this area of gardening. Also retired now so I need to save money. I was thinking about a grow light but am sure my hubby wouldn’t want me to use that amount of electricity. I love impatiens so I’m going to start there. Thanks!!!
    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Nothing Ventured … – Equipoise Life says:
    March 12, 2020 at 10:30 pm
    […] “winter gardening” from a local gardening blogger. The link for it is here at Winter Gardening. She says it’s a bit of a misnomer as one doesn’t actually, in zone 3, put them out in […]
    Reply

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Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

P.S. First time gardener? You'll want to download the quick start gardening guide below!

Recent Posts

  • Protected: 5 Easy Ways to Increase Pollination in Your Vegetable Garden
  • Bloom Times: What Cut Flowers Grow When in Zone 3
  • The Best Vegetables & Flowers to Start with Winter Sowing
  • 21 Cut Flowers to Grow in Part Shade
  • The Best Grow Lights for Seedlings (from Budget to Bougie)

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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I love seeing the world through this loving boy’ I love seeing the world through this loving boy’s eyes.  Honestly, I’ve been so sick that I wasn’t really in the mood to “do Valentines Day” but there was this sweet little voice going on about how excited he was for today and how much he loves his family and I just couldn’t resist.  So whether you’re on your own, part of a couple, or in the thick of life-with-littles craziness, Happy Valentines Day!

#valentinesday2020 #mylittlevalentine #boymomlife #lifewithlittles
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P.S.  want your own copy of this planner?  This is the newly updated paid version and it’s on sale by itself from now until Sunday for only $5.  If you’re from Canada, use the code CANADA to make $5 USD be closer to $5 CAD.  Head over to the link in my bio to get yours.

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Curious about growing lettuce indoors? My experim Curious about growing lettuce indoors?  My experiment is a success so far, although it’s still going to be awhile before I’m eating another salad off of them.

Okay, so maybe a little rant today.  I think sometimes in the gardening space we’re guilty of making things seem easier than they are.  Myself included.  This lettuce project is a case in point.

Was it easy?  Yes.  But will it provide me with endless salads all winter long? Nope.  Or at least not at this scale.  I’m going to estimate that I’d need at least 15 plants this size, especially since it’s winter and everything just grows slower.  And I’m the only person in my family who really eats salad.

In conclusion, this is a fun project to pass the winter, and not a truly sustainable source of lettuce.

Thoughts?

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Part of the mystery of seed starting is knowing ex Part of the mystery of seed starting is knowing exactly what to start when.  Every two weeks, I'll be posting these handy guides so you have enough time to order your seeds and be ready to plant when it's time for your area.  To find out when these veggies, herbs, and flowers need to be started where you live. . . ⁠
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1. Search out your area's last frost date.  There are plenty of calculators on the Internet.⁠
⁠
2. Count backwards 8 weeks from that date.⁠
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3. Start these seeds when that date hits.⁠
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