Ducks ALIVE in 2025!

ducks4you

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5 winter sowing jugs ready to put outside tomorrow--out of energy today, so they are sitting on they downstairs old red kitchen counter.
1) *leeks: Large American Flag, Giant Musselburgh and Carentan
2) Onion Grano
3) Zebrune Shallots
4) Little Gem Romaine lettuce
5) Lettuce Mesclun
*The leek packages were sample sizes so I combined them all in one planter.
Every planting job is a new skill. I discovered that this is the order of operations for winter sowing in jugs, and I used empty distilled water jugs bc I don't have to clean them:
a) label with a Sharpie on top of distilled water label on the jug
b) cover label with packaging tape
c) use a flip out type razor and punch holes on the bottom of the jug
d) cut all the way around leaving a portion below the handle so that you can flip it back for planting
e) fill with planting soil up to one inch below your slice
f) thoroughly soak with water
g) put a handful of seed starter soil on top
h) plant seeds
i) use a mister to thoroughly moisten seed starter soil and seeds
j) flip top back and secure with tape
k) put jug in the window well
 

ducks4you

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Not sure whether to take the lids OFF of the jugs, or leave them on.
I have been debating with myself which I often do:
"Sometimes I talk to myself,
then we both laugh and laugh!"

Instructions say to take the lid Off of the jugs so that you don't overwater the seeds/seedlings.
Instructions Also say that rain/snow will fill the jugs from the top.
Further, instructions say that you shouldn't put your jugs right next to the house.
Instructions also say that the dirt will keep the jugs from blowing away.
THAT part I don't believe. :confused:
We have had MONTHS of high winds and we will get more of the same.
I think the jugs Will blow away.
I am putting my jugs RIGHT NEXT THE HOUSE in my window wells.
They will be sitting on top of a black plastic garbage bag which should absorb heat.
I Will take off the lids bc I can check them and add some water if I think I need to.
I have a feeling that I am Really gonna enjoy winter sowing gardening!
 

ducks4you

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Location
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I exchanged the extra large white plastic farm supply store bag for one of my kitchen sized biodegradeable white bags on top of my sweet potatoes. It is a Perfect fit!
I don't think that there is enough of a soil gap to interest the cats in digging there.
Besides, both Lynx and Bedcat told me that if the Gene Hackman couple, where his wife died of a hantavirus (carried by rodunts), if they had kept a cat, this wouldn't have happened.
They both said (in chorus,)" "You're Welcome!"
 

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ducks4you

Garden Master
Joined
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17,577
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417
Location
East Central IL, Was Zone 6, Now...maybe Zone 5

ducks4you

Garden Master
Joined
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Messages
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Reaction score
17,577
Points
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Location
East Central IL, Was Zone 6, Now...maybe Zone 5
Here is my messy right side of the counter of the "basement kitchen" that somebody moved here probably from upstairs many years ago. I have a 2 sided sink, with a separate faucet that we hooked up to our cistern water, and counter top to the right and to the left.
Here is where the sweet potatoes are growing and here is where I assembled my first set of "winter sowing."
You can read the labels. I moved them to the window well just outside of this window, and it immediately attracted a ladybug.
March 9th, onion,shallot,lettuce,leek jug sowing,#3.jpg
March 9th, onion,shallot,lettuce,leek jug sowing,#4.jpg
March 9th, onion,shallot,lettuce,leek jug sowing,#5.jpg
 

ducks4you

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There were leftovers from the cherry pie last week, so I made a 2nd smaller one, cherry pie 2.0 As I recover I get more strength, but, by this time of day I don't have a lot, so, Yes, Virginia, THIS PIE IS sloppy! :eek: But it Tastes out of this world.
Cherry pie 2.0, 03-10-25.jpg
 
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