Usually I order most of my garden seeds for the year in January or February. A few weeks later I put together milk jug greenhouses. These easy, miniature greenhouses help give seedlings a jump start on the growing season.
You can make them any time before your final frost date. This post will explain how to make the miniature greenhouses, what supplies you need and tips for starting your garden early.
Milk Jug Greenhouses
What Are Milk Jug Greenhouses?
In order to germinate, seeds need a medium (seed starter mix), a little water, warmth and time. Sunlight is important, but as you will find with these seed starter milk jugs, very little sunlight actually enters the container through the top hole.
Much like a hoop house or typical walk in greenhouse, the milk jug greenhouses keep seedlings warm and safe from the elements. It’s also another way to live green, by recycling milk jugs. By making a milk jug greenhouse you can start your growing season early and extend your growing season.
This is particular helpful for gardeners who live in climates with a colder season. I live in Northern Ohio where we have full blown winter with snow and below freezing temperatures. But I don’t let our harsh winter ruin my plans to garden.
Milk Jug Garden
When to Use These?
Usually I put my milk jug greenhouses together sometime in February or March. Depending on the seed and how busy I am, I have even started them as late as mid-April and still reap some benefit.
In Northern Ohio, where I live, the final frost date is typically mid-May which is the first safe day to plant outside without a risk of frost killing a plant or seedling. The milk jug greenhouse allows me to plant earlier than this May date and have fully established seedlings at planting time.
Really these greenhouses can be made any time before that final frost date in your region. Some years I do not get around to transplanting my seeds until a few weeks after the frost date. Here is a frost map to help you determine your final frost date.
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Milk Jug Greenhouse
Why Start Your Garden Early?
As I mentioned, starting your seeds early can help jumpstart the growing season. Instead of planting by seed in May and experiencing a harvest 60 days later in July, your first harvest can come a bit sooner and then you have time to plant another round of seeds for a fall harvest. Or you might keep your plants going all summer and simply extend the season.
Starting your garden early helps you make the most of the growing season and to extend it. When more than one crop is planted after another it’s called succession planting. Another reason to start your garden early is to have something fun to do in the winter months.
I’m not sure about you, but by March I’m itching to get outdoors but often we are still experiencing snow and frost. I can start my planting, however, with these milk jug greenhouses which helps break up the monotony of winter.
How to Make Mini Greenhouses
The first time I made milk jug greenhouses I followed Kevin’s winter-sowing process. He also lives in Zone 5, which is the same zone I am in, but he is in New York state instead of Ohio. It helps to know your hardiness zone when figuring out when to plant seeds and when to make these greenhouses.
Mini greenhouses can be made from milk jugs or water jugs (if you buy water by the gallon). You only need a few other supplies as the entire project can be completed from start to finish in less than two hours. It does not matter if the jug is opaque or more clear, what matters is that you are creating a greenhouse effect for the seedling to help it germinate.
Necessary Supplies
Before I share the directions on how to assemble the milk jug seed starters, I want to share the supplies you will need in order to begin this project. The gardening and other supplies you will need include:
• Empty, clean gallon jugs
• Box Cutter Knife
• Small Ice Pick or Power Drill
• Seeds (I recommend Botanical Interests)
• Seed Starter Mix
• 5-gallon Bucket
• Something to stir the mixture with (I use a paint stick or a hand trowel)
• Small Hand Shovel
• Water (tap is fine)
• Permanent Marker & Duct Tape or try this Fade Proof Pen
Milk Jug Greenhouse Directions
Now that you have all the supplies you will need, here are my step-by-step directions to make the greenhouses. This is exactly how I make them every year. I’ve been doing this for seven years now.
• Save and clean milk jugs or water jugs for a few weeks prior to planting. You will need one jug per variety of plant you are growing.
• Cut the top off the milk jugs with a box cutter knife. Leave one side of the top attached, so the jug has a “lid.” I recommend making the cut about 2/3 of the way up the container. If you cut too low you won’t have enough room for the seed starting mix.
• Puncture the bottom of the jug with several small holes for drainage. I used a small ice pick to do this. You could also use a power drill. Anywhere from 6-12 holes per jug is good. Set the jugs aside.
• Next, pour the seed starter mix into the 5-gallon bucket. Add water a little at a time and stir the mixture until all of the seed starter mix is moist (think brownie batter) but not sopping wet or dripping. Be sure to use a seed starter mix and NOT soil from your yard or garden. If you are starting a lot of seeds at once you may need more than one bag of seed starter.
• Transfer the mixture to each jug using the small hand shovel. I suggest filling each jug with at least 2-inches of the mixture to allow room for root growth. Then plant your seeds, one variety per jug, according to the directions on each seed packet. Most packets have a seed starting guide on them. Please note: If the packet recommends direct sow only (such as for carrots) those seeds are best to plant after your frost date and NOT in the milk jug.
• Bend the “lid” back over the jug to close it. Seal each jug with duct tape. Label the jugs with a permanent marker and leave the cap lids off the jugs. I recommend labeling the tape and/or jug in more than one area. Another option I would like to try is this Fade Proof Pen, which is meant to withstand sun, rain and all other elements!
• Place the jugs outside in an area where they will not blow away or be knocked over. This could be in your backyard, on a patio or even a balcony if you live in an apartment.
Extra Tips for this Project
After I made make milk jug greenhouses the first time I realized I needed to cut the top of the greenhouse higher – near the handle – because mine were tipping over pretty badly. If you cut higher on the jug you can also add a little more soil. Also, I recommend mixing your soil with some water in a 5-gallon bucket and then scooping the soil into the containers.
The first year I did this project in our basement and it was rather messy. Now I typically put the jugs together in the garage and then carry them outside once I’m done. Any mess can simply be washed down the drain in our garage. Alternatively, you could also make these directly outside. I try to pick a “warmer” day to do this project so I’m more comfortable.
Paint sticks work wonderful for mixing the soil. The first time I made these, I tried “watering” the soil after I put it in the containers and it turned into a mess. Add the soil to the bucket first, then add a little bit of water at a time and stir. It should be a thick mush.
Where to Store Mini Greenhouses
Once made you store these milk jugs directly outside. I like to store the jugs close together between two raised beds in our backyard. The first year I made these they were more in the open and the sun and rain beat down on the labels and I had a few mystery jugs as a result! This is another reason why it helps to label each jug more than once.
You can write on the jug itself with the permanent marker or on the duct tape – or if you are paranoid like me – you do both and label each jug at least twice. I also noticed that by storing the jugs close together the labeling tends to not wear off as easily. They are sort of “protected” that way. I might try the Fade Proof Pen in the future to ensure my label does not wear off in the sun or rain.
Why Do I Have so Many Small Greenhouses?
This photo above is from first year I made these. I had 40 of these greenhouses because I was planting a lot of perennials. I was trying to establish a new landscape after removing four-dozen evergreens from our yard. I do not normally have that many milk jug greenhouses.
Typically I have about 12 to 15 milk jug greenhouses each year to jumpstart my vegetable garden. Most of the seeds I use in the milk jug garden are vegetable seeds. I do start some annual flowers and herbs in the jugs, too.
Here are some of the seeds I purchased through Botanical Interests (my absolute favorite source for organic and heirloom seeds) to use in my milk jug greenhouses this past year:
Milk Jug Garden
Homemade milk jug greenhouses are a quick and easy way to start your garden early. There is no need to wait until after your frost date to plant your seeds.
Keep in mind you can make these greenhouses anywhere from four to 12 weeks before your final frost date. The milk jug garden is a simple step toward in ground gardening.
Milk Jug Seed Starters
In Summary
This year will be my eighth year using the milk jug greenhouses to start my garden early. I really like this method and do not plan on doing anything different anytime soon.
Not only is this an affordable, fun way to start your garden early it also works and helps me to start my garden sooner than most people. Also I save money by planting by seed instead of buying plants.
Any questions on this tutorial? Please comment below.
Also, read through the comments where I answer additional FAQs on this process.
I’m wondering if you have ever tried sowing the seeds directly in the ground in their long term location (where you would normally transplant them to) using seed starter mix if needed, and just top with the jug (anchoring it of course as needed) that had had the bottom removed? This way no stressful transplanting needed? Might is work in similar fashion? Thank you for all the guidance and inspiration!!
Hi Carol: This is definitely an option to try as long as they are kept secure and don’t blow over from the wind, elements. I have not personally done this method myself. I find the “full greenhouse” method keeps the seeds warm to foster germination. I do direct sow any seeds that have that recommendation on the seed packet. Those are sown in the regular soil, not seed starter, when the time is appropriate.
I have started my seeds in the jugs and it has been very successful. I’m wondering how long I can leave them in there after they sprout? Should the top stay on?
Hello. This will all depend on where you live and what kind of temperatures you are experiencing this year. If it is unseasonably warm or the jugs are in full sun keep an eye on them as you need to make sure the seedlings do not overheat. Options include moving the jugs to the shade, opening the lid, etc. Once the seedlings are about an inch tall I will transplant mine, weather permitting. Tomatoes and peppers, for example, I am more cautious and wait until our average final frost date is near or passed. Hope this helps!
When you seal the jugs, are you taping all the way around the jug or just enough to keep the top down?
Hello! I usually use about 2-3 pieces of duct tape to seal the jug. Just enough to keep the top down and not have any huge gaps.
Hello, thank you for this guide. For the number of milk jugs you typically make each year- i believe you said about 15, what size bag of seed starter did you buy? I am looking to the same amount of jugs but so far i have purchased only one 12 qt bag. This is my first year doing milk jugs.( I already have seeds. )
Also, approx how many seeds can i put in each jug? Five? Ten? Or does it depend on the plant?
Thank you very much!
Hello, This will depend on several factors including how large your garden is, how many plants you want at maturity and the seed spacing guidelines that are on the seed packet. I usually plant slightly more than I need of any seed and then thin after they sprout. Hope this helps!
When you plant using the milk jug greenhouse do you have to be careful what you plant, some do not do well when transplanting is done. I mass planted tomatoes in spring and they did well as I moved them into larger containers but not all plants do.
This is true. For some seeds, such as for carrots, it is indicated on the seed packet not to transplant them as they are sensitive to root disruption.
Milk jugs in Nova Scotia are white, not clear or semi clear like the photos I see in your blog.
Do you think these would still work?
Thanks so much!
Hello, Yes any similar sized container would work. I would avoid anything black or dark solid color as that would prevent all light from reaching the seeds and possibly overheat them. You could use water jug, large soda pop bottle, etc.
Love this idea! I’m on zone4 and I will be trying this next year. I did have an idea for labeling ( I get paranoid about labels too lol), so my suggestion is to draw a diagram of the jugs and label on there and keep indoors (this way there is no worry)
That’s a good idea as long as you do not move the jugs. Happy planting!
I would write in the inside of the jug in the top and see if that stays.
I was also thinking the same thing. You could also use a plastic plant maker inside the jug
I numbered each milk jug, ON the duct tape, and labeled contents but also numbered and listed them in a notebook. Sometimes the weather can fade or erase these so I did them inside in a notebook.
I e read over the years of those in extremely cold climates starting their milk jug gardens in January. They direct sow and stake the jugs above the smaller plants. Fresh lettuce through the winter, anyone?
Anyhow, if you mark the bottoms of your jugs, the sun can’t bleach them, or if you put a marker inside, it has more protection from fading.
Thanks for the encouragement to get This done. Been saving milk jugs and some clear juice containers, but I didn’t think about multiple seeds per container, duh. lol. Need to add fertilizer to my garden, but I can plant seeds in jugs while this cold snap (more snow) is mostly keeping me indoors.
I just discovered your blog on Pinterest !
It was great reading the comments & your reply. Our local Senior Center had a class on Winter Sowing using milk jug greenhouses. A week ago, I planted my first seeds in the jugs..trying marigolds & tomatoes. I want to get cucumber seeds.
With the cost of nearly everything going up, it will be great to save nursery grown veggies. My first year trying this. Some friends have joined me too,for their gardens. Next year I will order the seed starter potting soil. I used Miracle grow container soul.
Hello, my jug garden is inside. South window and grow light. When do I remove top of jug? How tall should my tomatoes be? Only my 2nd year doing it. This way. Thanks for your time. Happy gardening.
Hello, this would be difficult for me to answer as the milk jugs are intended for growing your seeds in an outdoor environment. I usually transplant my tomato seedlings to the garden when they are 2-3 inches tall AND the risk of frost has passed.
I live in zone 6a. How early can I put these jugs out?
Hello, you can put them outside at any time. The seeds will naturally sprout once the temperature inside the jug is right. Thanks for reading.
Can more than one seed be planted per jug? Such as tomatoes?
Hello! Yes of course. Then once they sprout thin them per directions on the seed packet.
Do you follow the recommended spacing when planting them in the jugs or do you just space enough to allow sprout growth and then thin out from there when transplanting them to the ground?
Hello, I try to spread the seeds around when I put them in the container so they aren’t all in one clump. But then, yes, once they sprout or I am ready to transplant I thin them as needed.
My wife has gotten into this milk jug greenhouse thing this year (we just set up raised garden beds this year as well) and I’m wondering why can’t we just setup a greenhouse over top of the garden bed rather than each individual milk jug? Won’t the effect be the same? Anybody have any experience to compare the two methods? Thanks for any input. -Tom
Hi Tom, I haven’t done this myself but maybe others will chime in. What you are describing sounds similar to a hoop house or row cover. One issue might be the temperature of the soil. Where I am it’s pretty frozen out. So it would be difficult to work the soil. Another issue could be temperature the milk jug raises the temperature to aid in quicker germination and provide protection to the seedling. The effectiveness of the cover and protection of seedlings will likely depend on thickness and durability. You would also need to consider watering and how that would be done without exposing the new seedlings to frigid temps. With the milk jug water is added at planting time and then small amounts of precipitation enter the milk jug through the top.
I live in northern ontario…and its currently -20C outside (promises have been made that this will get better!)…our last frost date is the end of may. How early should I start these and Is it alright for these to freeze?
thank you!
Hello! The extreme temps have been crazy this year. If you start them now the seeds are not going to sprout yet because it’s still too cold. I actually have held off on mine this year for the same reason. Freeze and thaw is normal in nature for many seeds so the hardy perennials should not be hurt in any way if you start them now, but you also won’t necessarily gain any growing days. Hope this helps!
thanks…I shall wait a bit and then get going on them!
Do you bring the jugs inside at any point? Do the plants stay warm enough on cold nights?
Hello, Nope they stay outside the whole time. The seeds will remain dormant (not sprout) until your climate is warm enough for them to sprout. Once they sprout the milk jug protects the plant from the elements.
Do you add any water to the jugs once you start them?
Hello, I just add water to the soil when I mix it up (then add the soil/water mixture to the jugs). After they are made I do not add any more water but they will get some precipitation while sitting outside. Then when it’s closer to planting time I will open them up for a week or two and let them get more sun/wind. At that time I will water if needed.
Thank you! And, thank you for keeping it short and simple. Now I have time to work on my milk jugs!
I am getting so excited for spring. Our snow has melted, not that it couldn’t snow again, and the spring fever is starting to kick in. Thanks for posting this. I may have to try it next year.
I wish I had somewhere to do this! I’m dreaming of at least balcony space to grow plants one day:)
This is a great idea! I don’t have a good spot for vegetables here with all my trees. BUT I may use this idea for growing wheat grass – for myself and my feline.
I’ve never tried this. I’ll be interested to hear how it works. I’ve gotten lazy over the years and just plant from seedlings. At least I confess.