Containers for Seed Starting

With these ideas for homemade Containers for Seed Starting, you’ll save money and the environment by recycling common household items!

It won’t be long until I can start planting the first seeds of the year. I can’t wait – I always get itchy to get my hands in some dirt. I begin to dream of being in the garden, working the soil and being in the sun. For now I have to content myself with starting seeds indoors.

Part of the process is getting my hands on containers for seed starting.

What Containers to Use for Seed Starting

Once you start looking around, you may be surprised at how many used containers you can recycle into seedling germination pots.

Get creative – the idea is to reuse and recycle! Why buy seedling trays if you really don’t need to?

I save any type of container I think I’ll be able to use for seeding. Just some examples are cartons from coffee cream (great for tomato seedlings) and wide squat canned vegetable containers.

Also the wonderful tall containers that hold the malt we use for making beer. When I get ready for seeding, I punch drainage holes in the bottoms to prevent excess moisture–3 holes per container will do.

Years ago, I bought several packs of Styrofoam cups. I know, not very environmentally minded of me.

BUT since I am very careful with handling them, I can reuse these as well. I still have some from the first year we moved up here and they are still going strong.

Also, whenever we hit a Costco or other big box stores and buy things in bulk, I save the cardboard trays – usually they have plastic wrapped around the outside. I don’t pull off the plastic as it adds another layer of protection during watering. I’ll keep seedling pots in these trays until I can move the plants out to the garden.

The trays are really strong, especially with the plastic on. We keep every Styrofoam tray we can get our hands on too. They are handy for putting seedling plants in our windowsills. You can also use heat mats for faster germination.

If you aren’t doing it already, save every type of container you can find, as well as other household items that may be able to hold seeds. I used to use those little seedling containers (the ones with 4 or 6 cells), but have moved away from them.

Although they are good when first sowing seed, because they are so small, I end up having to transplant them. This is something I avoid if I can. I don’t mind transplanting once but don’t like having to do it more than that.

I’ll find someone to pass them along to or just get rid of them. I don’t like using them. Using the styrofoam cups works the best for me – I seed them right in the cups.

Many vegetables don’t need to be transplanted again until I am ready to pop them into the garden. Exceptions? Tomatoes!

Easy is best! Why create extra work for yourself? Reusing your pots and trays is cheap, cheap, cheap. There is no point in spending lots of money on those trays with the cell packs and covers.

For every move you make planning and starting your veggie garden, think about it. Is there a way to use free materials, or reuse something you already have?

How to Use Homemade Containers for Seed Starting

I seed the cups in my potting room, then move them into my seedling room, where Graham has hung lights. They stay in here until they are up and doing well.

To give your seed starter an extra boost, you can also use some peat moss, compost, or eggshells.

Then I move them upstairs into the living room in front of the big windows. By the time mid-May rolls around, the living room is filled with plants. I usually still have a full seedling room downstairs as well with tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and more.

For the hardier seedlings, I can put them in our unheated Greenhouse. Depending on the nighttime temperature, I can cover these with Remay cloth and remove it in the morning.

 

More Ideas for Seed Containers

• Yogurt cups or other yogurt containers
• Toilet paper rolls/toilet paper tubes
• A milk jug
• Plastic trays
• Cardboard egg cartons
• Finished candles (would have to be emptied first)
• Butter containers
• Paper bowls

 

More Helpful Posts

• Thinking of getting a Greenhouse? Read about how we were able to build a greenhouse for less than $200.
• Growing lots of herbs? Learn how to preserve basil for fresh and delicious flavors all year round.
• If you want to grow Raspberries, here’s one of the MOST important things you need to do!
• Looking for info specifically on growing peppers? Check out this post explaining how big a container peppers need to grow.
• And if you’ve always wanted to learn how to make your own seedling pots, check out this post from Dovid Domoney!

 

 

 

published 2012, latest update Sept 2024