plant a seed, watch it grow

Something new this year!  Planting seeds in jugs and keeping them outside.  I suppose they are supposed to serve as "mini" green houses, only there is little to know work after the seeds are planted.  This method is perfect if you live in a small space or if you just simply don't have room to plant anywhere else.  The jugs stay outside, and all you have to do is check their moisture and give them a spray or two to keep them moist and on nice warm days just open the jug for some fresh air and sun.   Another perk to this method is there is no hardening off the plants!

Want to give it a go?  Well here's the method to this madness...

>Use a clean jug that is clear and cut it in half with a knife leaving a good portion on one side for it to hinge open and closed.  (I purchased water jugs for eighty cents and used the water on the cool garden)
>Next using a pretty good sized nail poke holes in the bottom for drainage
>Mix up your planting soil ~ I used just a cheep potting soil and ammended it with an organic plant food.  The ratio was one quart to 1 1/2 Tablespoon.
>You can either mix up a bunch in a bucket or just right in the container.  (I did both and prefer to just mix it in the container)
>Get you seeds and plant ~ I did three rows of three, so in one jug I will have nine plants
>spray you soil until good and moist
>duck tape it shut
>lastly label that jug so you know what is growing and how many days...don't forget to add your planting date, just in case you forget!

*be sure to leave the lids off for your "greenhouse" to breath.
*you can plant hardy plants this way starting in February and the more fragile ones the beginning of March.

There you go and we will just have to see how this works out!