2026, My year of Garden Narcissism

Working on my winter sowing. I have sown 11 bottles as of this morning, the smaller bottles have 2 Alaska Snow Peas in them, the larger bottle has 4. I cut the top off of it. I tested putting the top back on--won't do that again.
This plastic is too fragile and I got a dent in the bottom half putting it on the 2nd time, so I put a piece of masking tape on it to keep in the greenhouse affect. These 3 will go out next time I...go out, since they will join the others in the window well closest to the stairs.
I have been playing at winter/bottle sowing for a couple of years now. In MY climate it is best to leave the cap on. One of my jars last year totally dried out the seedlings, which were about 5 inches tall, bc I had removed the cap. MY advice is, IF you feel like removing the bottle cap(s) save in a labeled ziplock bag in your kitchen gardening area. The caps are Not universal.
Alaska Snow peas in bottles, 02-19-26 #1.jpg
Alaska Snow peas in bottles, 02-19-26 #2.jpg
 
Your containers need NOT be clear--opaque, like a Mountain Dew bottle works just fine. The bottle creates a greenhouse/terrarium, there is enough moisture next to the seeds bc of the drainage holes on the bottom, moisture evaporates and then rewaters them, and they sprout ONLY when there are enough light candles and day length for the seed. You set and forget.
MY decision to put them into window wells is from the notion that a strong March wind WILL carry off a milk jug half full of wet soil. My 3 south facing window wells are about 12 inches deep, more or less, lined with stones and, so far, the worst winds haven't dislodged my bottles. Here is an article about winter sowing. There are PLENTY of them out there. I suggest you only read those by established gardeners, even though This one is late to the winter sowing party.
I disagree with their suggestions of top venting.
I left lids off of several jugs last winter, and I had to add water. The others With their lids did fine without any extra babysitting. The outside sow date in my area is mid April and they will be doing Some drying out for a couple of months.
Yes, I Will be putting jugs/saved carry out containers in the window well that is west facing AND in the 3 window wells that are north facing. Not sure yet what I will put there, but I will post about it when it happens.
joegardener.com

Winter Sowing | A Simple Way to Start Seeds Outdoors | joegardener®

Winter Sowing may be the simplest way to start seeds outdoors. It's a hands-off, low-tech, high return way to get the most out of your seed-starting efforts
joegardener.com joegardener.com
www.botanicalinterests.com

The Ultimate Beginner Guide to Winter Sowing

Learn all you need to know for a successful start to winter sowing in this guide for beginners!
www.botanicalinterests.com


 
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Eldest DD had a bug and was drinking ginger ale and gatorade, so I picked up 3 more bottles for winter sowing. Not the best idea to leave the plastic ID labels on these bottles. For soda they are only about 3 inches wide, for Gatorade they almost fill the side of the bottle. I recommend using your razor (the one you are using to cut drainage holes) and pull up the label from the bottom of the bottle, then peel it off. IMHO the more light to the seeds, the better.
I decided that the smaller bottles, soda and water could handle 2 peas, and I filled up the waist with soil, saturated the soil and drained, then tipped 12 o'clock, then 6 o'clock to put them as far away as possible. I believe that the packaging said to direct sow peas 2 inches apart. I adjusted for the two larger bottles.
Alaska Snow Peas:
12 bottles, 2 peas each + 1 bottle, 3 peas + 1 bottle, 4 peas = 31 peas
Let's see how many sprout...
I will now switch to Sugar Snap Peas for sowing, and I have some distilled water jugs ready to use for those. About to feed ponies, so I intend to pick up small sticks in the lawn and put them by these seeds to give them each an anchor.
 
ducks4you said:
I picked up 3 more bottles for winter sowing. Not the best idea ...
Click to expand...
Checking on "What's new," it stopped there and I thought you might then say, '' ... to use bottles from someone who has 'the bug.'" Uh oh, she has a cold, too!

Good to see that this isn't so :). I hope your daughter feels better soon.

Steve
 
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THX! She works at a hospital. I am surprised that the petri dish of germs hasn't hit her sooner. Better now, kind of a jump start on a reducing diet, too.
Yesterday I popped open one of the garlic jugs and there Is good growth. I hope to transplant the garlic when it's time to transplant onion seedlings, so probably mid March.
I hope to Never have to do this with garlic again! It's almost criminal to treat garlic in this way!! :eek:
I started a jug of Sugar Snap Peas yesterday, but was stymied when it came time to add the sticks, so I left it. Also, I had to squeeze the bottom of the jug to get it to drain, even though I put four deep gashes one the bottom. I think the potting soil must be blocking the holes. It is important that the soil is wrung out like a sponge, moist but not soaking wet for the whole winter sowing to work right since hardly any seeds like drowning.
I staged 23 SS peas and let the soil drain in the downstairs sink. I'll get back to it today and put them out. I have a distilled water gallon jug just about emptied for more sowing.
I think I will take some pictures to share. ;)
 
I broke down and ordered Fooled You Jalepano seeds. They are jalepanoes without the heat. 15 seeds
1771770281059.png

"Fooled You Jalapeño Hybrid Pepper Seeds produce mild, flavorful peppers that look just like traditional jalapeños but deliver all the taste without the heat. This variety is ideal for gardeners who love the distinctive jalapeño flavor but prefer peppers suitable for family-friendly dishes, stir-fries, and salsas. The fruits ripen from deep green to bright red and maintain their crisp texture and rich, aromatic flavor through every stage.

Plants mature in about 65 days and grow vigorously to around 27 inches tall, producing dependable yields of smooth, uniform 3–4 inch peppers. Their sturdy structure supports consistent fruit set throughout the season, making them easy to grow in garden beds or containers. Whether you’re preparing homemade salsa, fresh relish, or sautéed peppers for dinner, Fooled You Jalapeño peppers deliver all the classic taste without the burn, making them a popular choice for mild-pepper gardeners.

Days to Maturity: 65
Sow Method: Start Indoors
Sowing Depth: ¼ Inch
Plant Spacing: 18–24 Inches
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Plant Height: 27 Inches
Fruit Size: 3–4 Inches"
The order came with sample packets of the following
:
Free Seed Packet of each variety in every order placed by 2/28/26, while supplies last!
Independence Day Tomato

55 days. Be the first to harvest ripe tomatoes by the Fourth of July! This very early-maturing variety produces round, pinkish-red fruits weighing around 4 to 5-oz. with excellent flavor which is sometimes rare among early types. Perfect for salads, slicing, or fresh eating. Compact, productive plants perform beautifully in containers or garden beds. Determinate. #002. Packet (5 Seeds)
--I don't grow many determinates...

Big Red Pepper

75 days. The name says it all, this is a Big Red pepper! Delivers bold size and a classic bell pepper flavor. Deep, dark red fruits average 6-oz. and measure 5-in. long by 5-in. wide with a 3 to 4 lobed, blocky shape. Crisp and delicious, this culinary staple grows on sturdy, 24-in. plants that produce abundantly all season long. #003. Packet (5 Seeds)

Long Green Improved Cucumber

65 days. An aptly named heirloom from the 1800s that’s withstood the test of time. Produces smooth, straight, deep-green, 8 to 10-in. long fruits with firm, crisp texture and refreshing flavor. Vigorous vines thrive in summer heat, yielding abundant, high-quality cucumbers perfect for slicing and fresh eating. #004. Packet (5 Seeds)
Prices have really jumped!!
 
Watched a video on peppers and I found this site:
Pretty neat! Good specialized advice on when I should start indoors on various crops bc you enter your location.
I started making lists, though I don't have current seeds/interests in some of these (in bold):
Start by February 25th
Tomatoes, peppers, parsley, cabbage, sweet potatoes, celery (start seeds in January,) leek, cabbage, collards, artichoke, basil, onions, strawberry, oregano, eggplant, luffa


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Also, this:
 
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