Recycle plastic milk jugs to start seeds for next season's garden or flower pots. 

Do you like starting seeds but don’t enjoy all the work of setting up a growing system inside? Let Mother Nature do the work. Join a lively discussion on winter sowing annual flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Winter sowing is a practice of starting seeds during winter outside using empty plastic jugs. No more thin, weak seedlings, as winter-sown seedlings are stout with huge root systems. Participants will learn several winter sowing improvements to make the process more effective.

Presenter: Nancy Kuhajda, horticulture educator, Illinois Extension

About the Four Seasons Gardening Series

University of Illinois Extension’s Four Seasons Gardening series focuses on home gardening, environmental stewardship, and backyard food production. Four Seasons Gardening sessions are monthly online sessions led by Illinois Extension experts beginning at 1:30 p.m. on select Tuesdays and are free to attend. Registration is required. Learn more about the series and register for individual events at go.illinois.edu/FourSeasons.

Additional Winter Session

Root Awakening: Spring Tree Tips | March 4

Spring into action and provide trees with the care they need as they emerge from dormancy. Learn how to check for winter damage, boost tree health, and promote strong roots and lush leaves throughout the growing season. Follow these and other tips to help more trees thrive. Register for Root Awakening at go.illinois.edu/4SGRootAwakening. 

Presenter: Sarah Vogel, horticulture educator, Illinois Extension