How to Start Seeds Without Grow-Lights & Winter Sowing With Mason Jars: 2 Money Saving Alternatives

I use mason jars to winter sow my leeks and onions and I start a lot of my cool crops this way. You don't need grow lights to start seeds for your own transplants.

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[SpiceyKy]

I'm in SoCal. I always put my seedlings outside during the days. Our weather can be a blessing. 💘

[kele]

I think I'd put cheese cloth over the lids to prevent bugs from getting inside the jars. Also, it's more work, but I think I'd make some sort of screen tent to put over the seedlings for the same reason, mostly to keep bugs out of the house.

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[chefe]

It's February 17, -15 C here in Canada! I wish we could have more temperate climate

[kele]

Mason jars! How about that! Great idea for onions! Thanks!

[plantabundance]

Great tips! You always share good info. Cheers!

[brianseybert]

When I opened my insulated cold frame after 2 days the soil temp was 45F, night time temps dropped to the single digits. When I went to close it up this afternoon the temp was 76F.
Planning on doing my annual winter sowing of brassicas, some flowers and going to try some dill and basil this weekend.
Day light is increasing about 24 min/10 days, and will only accelerate.
Enjoy your videos! Stay Well!!! Zone 5a

[rickytorres]

Very informative indeed, you can obviously mix and match grow lights and outside to get the best of both worlds. Gonna get on the chiller side? Put them under the lights, getting a heat wave every now and then? Get them outside and hardening them off sooner than later to boost.

[tammycornett]

I love the Mason jar idea...I have a ton of them and I always struggle with onion seeds(6b) .. can't wait to try this. Thanks so much!!!

[genevabrown]

Im in seed collecting mode right now, geting everything together ahead of time saves time, get the seeds build the starter mixx and dust off the lights.

[hansonrh]

Cool idea. I may try growing in jars. I don't want to use my precious canning jars, though. Do you think some other jar with a couple of layers of plastic wrap over top (vented) would work? Last year and this I did the first method of putting cold crops out during the day. Worked great. My brassicas are out as I write this. Thanks for all the good tips, Gary.

[GrandmaD]

Hello,
My 2 questions are about adding drainage and jars freezing and breaking. I live in northern lower MI. I have done something similar with flowers that need cold stratification but used plastic milk jugs.
I like the jar method better.. (better for the environment).

[Gardeningchristine]

I tried bringing them out and the squirrels and birds had fun. The squirrels dug things up and the birds were eating the leaves. Oh well. They didn’t die.

[ffs]

I do this with my tomatoes, its a lot of shlepping trays in and out but I have fully grown transplants from seed ready by first of march and it costs me nothing.

[oldmangravely]

Love. Your channel!! I'm in zone 7 middle Va could I start vegetables in raised garden under a gallon distilled water bottle with bottom cut out 4 to 6 weeks before my last frost??

[carolbeers]

I use plastic containers like Grapes they have holes close lid n hot house

[bwalter]

When I bring the seed starts in, is the garage sufficient in Zone 7b?

[Terryo]

Hi - does it have to be a jar? Or just a clear plastic container? I hate the thought of trying to get them out of the jar.

[southerngardengigi]

If you use the outside during the day method, how long after germination do you have to get the seedlings out before they have to go through the acclimation process. For instance, I’ve had my plants that have germinated a bit less than a week ago but have never been outside. Do they need to be acclimated?

[Cursed_cass]

Can you do this in 5b even with the snow and freezing? I saw Susan do the milk jug one. I just got 8 inches of snow and I'm ready to get things going. Only 2nd year with a garden.