I'm glad to hear it's not just me with all the extra pages in my wishlist! I thought I'd done something goofy. It could've been like that in previous years too and I just don't remember.
I keep thinking I'm all caught up on looking at new entries in the swap, and you guys keep adding more! So much good stuff to look through this time.
Regarding wintersowing some more tips are:
1. Don't just rely on sharpie markers for labeling jugs, they can fad fast in the sun. Use a special fade resistant "garden marker", paint pen, dark pencil, china marker, etc.
2. All tape closures can get messy. When I used jugs, instead of tape I poked or drilled two holes in the top and bottom opposite the "hinge side" and then tied it closed with a piece of wire, twist-tie, pipe-cleaner, etc. Then I could open and re-close the containers depending on the spring weather. It seemed like with that method I got better ventilation across the soil surface and had less green slimy stuff growing in there.
3. I also would use the handles of the milk or vinegar jugs to help stabilize them. Running a long pole or stick through them and then tying that to a fence. It helped keep them stable and made opening and closing them during wild spring weather easier.
I actually switched from using gallon jugs to quart yogurt containers due to to storage space. I had a lot more of them and they can stack for compact storage and were easier to plant out of. I used thick plastic bags stretched across the tops with holes poked in it. On the downside I think that method has actually lessened my success rate. I think the ventilation and light is greatly reduced, which increases my chances of green slime and rotting seeds in a very wet spring. I was thinking of trying some grit on the soil surface to prevent that, but would have to make a special trip to a Farm and Fleet to do that. The downside to living by the city... not much access to a lot of the basic cheap farm/garden supplies! My farmer grandpa would be shocked at how difficult and expensive it is to get a good bale of straw around here!
A few pics of the jugs using ties and poles, and quart yogurt containers.
