Ready to grow your own garden from scratch? Starting seeds indoors is the key! But those store-bought seed starting trays can be expensive. Don’t worry! You can easily make your own DIY seed starting trays using things you probably already have around the house. This guide will show you how to build various types of trays, what materials work best, and give you tips for success.
Quick Answer: Starting seeds indoors doesn’t require fancy equipment. This guide provides simple, cost-effective ways to create your own seed starting trays using recycled materials and basic supplies. You’ll learn how to build different types of trays, choose the right soil, and care for your seedlings for a thriving garden!
Why Make Your Own Seed Starting Trays?
There are lots of good reasons to make your own seed starting trays instead of buying them.
- Save Money: Store-bought trays can add up, especially if you’re starting a lot of plants. DIY trays are much cheaper.
- Reduce Waste: You can reuse containers that would otherwise end up in the trash, like yogurt cups, plastic takeout containers, and egg cartons.
- Customization: You can tailor the size and shape of your trays to perfectly fit your space and the types of plants you’re growing.
- Fun Project: It’s a satisfying DIY project that gets you excited about gardening!
- Eco-Friendly: Reusing and repurposing is good for the environment.
Types of DIY Seed Starting Trays
There are many different kinds of trays you can make, depending on what materials you have available and how much effort you want to put in. Here are a few popular options:
Egg Carton Seed Starters
Egg cartons are a classic and super easy way to start seeds.
- Materials: Empty egg carton (cardboard or styrofoam), potting soil, seeds, spray bottle with water.
- Instructions:
- Make sure the egg carton is clean and dry.
- Fill each egg cup with potting soil.
- Plant 2-3 seeds in each cup, following the seed packet instructions for depth.
- Gently water the soil using a spray bottle. You don’t want to overwater!
- Place the egg carton in a sunny spot or under grow lights.
- Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
- Pros: Easy, readily available, biodegradable (if using cardboard).
- Cons: Small size, dries out quickly, cardboard cartons can get moldy if overwatered. Consider placing the egg carton inside a waterproof tray to catch excess water.
Yogurt Cup or Plastic Container Seed Starters
Recycling yogurt cups, takeout containers, and other small plastic containers is a great way to make use of what you have.
- Materials: Yogurt cups or plastic containers, potting soil, seeds, drill or knife, tray to hold the containers.
- Instructions:
- Clean the containers thoroughly.
- Drill or poke drainage holes in the bottom of each container. This is important to prevent root rot.
- Fill the containers with potting soil.
- Plant your seeds, following the seed packet instructions.
- Water gently.
- Place the containers in a tray to catch excess water.
- Put the tray in a sunny location or under grow lights.
- Pros: Durable, reusable, readily available in different sizes.
- Cons: Requires making drainage holes, plastic is not biodegradable.
Homemade Tray with Cell Dividers
You can build a more substantial tray using a plastic storage container and some dividers. This gives you more control over the size and spacing of your seedlings.
- Materials: Shallow plastic storage container, cardboard or plastic dividers (cut from old boxes or containers), potting soil, seeds, knife or scissors.
- Instructions:
- Clean the plastic container.
- Cut the cardboard or plastic dividers to fit inside the container, creating individual cells. You can use hot glue or tape to secure the dividers if needed.
- Fill each cell with potting soil.
- Plant your seeds.
- Water gently.
- Place the tray in a sunny location or under grow lights.
- Pros: Customizable size and cell spacing, more durable than egg cartons.
- Cons: Requires more construction, needs a suitable plastic container.
Plastic Bottle Seed Starter Greenhouse
This method creates a mini-greenhouse environment, which can help seeds germinate faster and protect seedlings from temperature fluctuations.
- Materials: Plastic soda bottle, potting soil, seeds, knife or scissors.
- Instructions:
- Cut the soda bottle in half horizontally.
- Poke drainage holes in the bottom half of the bottle.
- Fill the bottom half with potting soil.
- Plant your seeds.
- Water gently.
- Place the top half of the bottle over the bottom half, creating a dome.
- Remove the cap for ventilation.
- Place the bottle in a sunny location or under grow lights.
- Pros: Creates a warm, humid environment, protects seedlings, easy to make.
- Cons: Small size, can overheat if not ventilated properly.
Repurposed Bread or Produce Container Seed Starters
Bread containers and those clear plastic containers from produce are perfect for seed starting. They often come with lids, which can act like mini-greenhouses.
- Materials: Bread container or produce container with a lid, potting soil, seeds, drill or knife.
- Instructions:
- Clean the container and lid thoroughly.
- Drill or poke drainage holes in the bottom of the container.
- Fill the container with potting soil.
- Plant your seeds.
- Water gently.
- Place the lid on the container to create a mini-greenhouse.
- Leave the lid slightly ajar for ventilation, or remove it entirely once seedlings emerge.
- Place the container in a sunny location or under grow lights.
- Pros: Recycled, often comes with a lid for humidity control, readily available.
- Cons: Size limitations, may need added drainage.
Essential Supplies for DIY Seed Starting
Besides the containers, you’ll need a few other essential supplies for successful seed starting:
Potting Soil
Don’t use garden soil for starting seeds. It’s too heavy and doesn’t drain well. Instead, use a seed starting mix or a good quality potting soil. These mixes are lighter and allow for better root growth. Look for mixes that contain:
- Peat moss or coco coir: To retain moisture.
- Vermiculite: To improve aeration and drainage.
- Perlite: To further improve drainage.
You can also make your own seed starting mix by combining equal parts peat moss (or coco coir), vermiculite, and perlite.
Seeds
Choose high-quality seeds from a reputable source. Consider starting with easy-to-grow vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce.
Watering Can or Spray Bottle
Gentle watering is key to avoid disturbing the seeds and young seedlings. A spray bottle or a watering can with a gentle shower head is ideal.
Grow Lights (Optional)
If you don’t have a sunny window, or if you’re starting seeds in the winter, grow lights are essential. Fluorescent or LED grow lights work well. Place the lights a few inches above the seedlings.
Heat Mat (Optional)
Some seeds germinate best in warmer temperatures. A heat mat placed under the seed starting tray can help speed up germination.
Labels
Don’t forget to label your trays! It’s easy to forget what you planted where. Use plant markers or masking tape and a permanent marker to label each tray.
Steps for Successful Seed Starting
Once you have your DIY seed starting trays and supplies, follow these steps for successful seed starting:
- Prepare the Trays: Choose your desired tray type, add drainage holes if needed, and fill with potting soil.
- Plant the Seeds: Follow the seed packet instructions for planting depth and spacing. Generally, seeds should be planted about twice their width deep.
- Water Gently: Water the soil gently until it is evenly moist but not soggy.
- Provide Light: Place the trays in a sunny window or under grow lights.
- Maintain Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist. Check the trays daily and water as needed.
- Provide Warmth: If using a heat mat, place it under the trays.
- Ventilate: If using a mini-greenhouse, ensure proper ventilation to prevent mold growth. Open the lid or remove it periodically.
- Thin Seedlings: Once the seedlings have emerged and have a few sets of leaves, thin them out, leaving only the strongest seedling in each cell.
- Harden Off: Before transplanting the seedlings outdoors, gradually acclimate them to the outdoor conditions. This process is called hardening off. Start by placing the trays outdoors in a sheltered location for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the amount of time they spend outside.
- Transplant: Once the seedlings are hardened off and the weather is warm enough, transplant them into your garden.
Tips for Success
- Use fresh potting soil: Avoid using old or contaminated soil.
- Don’t overwater: Overwatering can lead to root rot.
- Provide adequate light: Seedlings need plenty of light to grow strong and healthy.
- Maintain proper temperature: Most seeds germinate best in temperatures between 65°F and 75°F.
- Label everything: This will help you keep track of what you planted where.
- Be patient: Seed germination can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
- Sanitize reused containers: Before reusing containers, wash them with soap and water and then sanitize them with a diluted bleach solution to prevent the spread of disease.
- Monitor for pests: Keep an eye out for pests like aphids or fungus gnats. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or other appropriate methods.
- Fertilize seedlings: Once seedlings have developed their first true leaves, begin fertilizing them with a diluted liquid fertilizer. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer label.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
- Seeds not germinating: Check the seed packet to make sure the seeds are still viable. Ensure the soil is moist and the temperature is warm enough.
- Seedlings are leggy: This means they are not getting enough light. Move them to a sunnier location or provide grow lights.
- Seedlings are damping off: This is a fungal disease that causes seedlings to rot at the base. Prevent damping off by using fresh potting soil, providing good ventilation, and avoiding overwatering.
- Seedlings are yellowing: This could be a sign of nutrient deficiency. Fertilize with a diluted liquid fertilizer.
FAQ: DIY Seed Starting Trays
Q: Can I use regular garden soil for seed starting?
A: No, garden soil is too heavy and compacts too much, preventing proper drainage and root growth. Use a seed starting mix or potting soil.
Q: How often should I water my seedlings?
A: Check the soil moisture daily. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering.
Q: How much light do seedlings need?
A: Seedlings need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day, or 14-16 hours of artificial light.
Q: When should I transplant my seedlings outdoors?
A: Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost and when the weather is warm enough. Harden them off before transplanting.
Q: What if my seedlings are growing too slowly?
A: Make sure they are getting enough light, warmth, and nutrients. Fertilize with a diluted liquid fertilizer.
Q: Can I reuse seed starting trays?
A: Yes, you can reuse seed starting trays. Just be sure to clean and sanitize them before each use to prevent the spread of disease.
Conclusion
Making your own DIY seed starting trays is a simple and rewarding way to save money, reduce waste, and get a head start on your garden. By using recycled materials and following these tips, you can create a thriving garden from seed! Happy gardening!
