The Best Containers for Starting Seeds Indoors
What do you need? And what can you skip?
I have used so many different things to start seeds. Some things are worth the money. Some things are free, DIY solutions. But here’s the thing: growing from seed shouldn’t be expensive or difficult, so I have some seed starting tips which should help you start successfully and avoid some of the mistakes I have made in the past.
Ok. Let’s get started!
So I am often asked what kinds of seed trays I use and why I use so many different varieties. It's a fair question! I created the video above to show you what I use and why. But I'm also creating a summary here. Some of them are just things I happen to have, but others I use for very specific reasons with very specific plants.
Let me be clear though: gardening does not have to mean shopping. I often reuse things like pots plant purchases. I try to reuse as much as I possibly can, and that's really important to me. There is a lot of plastic production and a lot of plastic consumption in the gardening trade that is unsustainable. The best plastic product to use is the one that already exists or that you already have. That's the most sustainable approach – reuse something you already have. But if you are buying something, buy quality.
Ok. Let's get started.
Soil Blockers
I have two different types of soil blockers. With the more traditional metal version, you load it up with soil, punch it down, and you get five little cubes. These soil blockers come in several sizes – great for rows and rows of soil blocks. Don’t skimp though. The cheaper versions don’t last as long as the original made by Ladbrooke.
The plastic one is made by Fiskars, and you get four blocks in a circle. The Fiskars soil blocker comes in one size. These are larger blocks, but the circle wastes space on a tray if you are going to be doing lots of blocks.
Uses:
For plants that will planted out fairly soon because I find the soil dries out very quickly without humidity domes, and I don't have any that fit my trays. Great for Zinnias, Cosmos, and other plants that I start as seedlings and can plant out within 6 weeks or so.
For both I use the donut trays that I write about below.
Seed Trays
Epic Gardening
I really like these. They have little humidity domes that come with them. I also like the Epic Gardening light set-up. There's a heat mat underneath, and everything is on the same module so I can get 12 six cell trays into the watering tray which sits on one heat mat under the lamp. However, they're a little bit small, so you have to pot things up like tomatoes and cucumbers and plants that need a longer growing time to get established.
Root Trainer: NOT Recommended
I am not a fan. I mean my sweet peas did just fine. It's deeper than the toilet paper tube by maybe half an inch, but it is made of really flimsy plastic. I think you could use it for more than one season, but it's going to fall apart quickly.
Naked Root
The Naked Root system is fabulous for potting up. They have a range of sizes made for growing and potting up as needed.They also come with a bottom-watering tray and a humidity dome. Their design air prunes the roots. Here in Colorado I have to start my tomatoes and cucumbers really early, and they have to live in the greenhouse for a long time, so this is a really nice solution.
Terracotta Pots
I also use terracotta pots, and I have a bunch of these little ones. These are also great for potting up. You could start seeds in these, but I don't to conserve space. I start all of my seeds in six cell trays or in the Naked Root trays, and then pot them up.
Sili Seedlings
These are silicone, and they're called the Sili Seedlings. I bought these specifically because they are deeper which is great for certain plants – especially things like Sweet Peas that have deeper roots. I also have a suspicion that for people who have arthritis or other dexterity issues these might be a really good solution for you, because they are easy to get out. Sili Seedlings nest together when you're storing them, and they have my very favorite watering tray: a stainless steel sheet. See below.
Planting Seeds in Upcycled Containers
Toilet Paper Tubes
I will never grow Sweet Peas any other way ever again! Toilet paper tubes are fantastic for Sweet Peas because of their long roots. And, of course, they're free! I save toilet paper tubes for a couple of months, then I pot them up. When I planted them, I just put the whole thing in the ground. Easy!
Fruit Containers
This is a raspberry box, and I punched a couple holes in the bottom so that it could bottom water. The lid becomes a humidity dome until the sprouts get too big. Then just cut it off and start more seeds in the top.
Watering Trays
Bottom-watering is by far the best approach for seedlings, so keeping them in a good tray is important. It also makes moving things around so much easier!
I have three different trays that I like:
Fiberglass Donut Trays: very sturdy, but not very deep. Work well for soil blocking.
Epic Gardening trays: good water capacity, but are a little floppy when moving a full tray.
Sili Seedlings trays: my favorites! They hold a lot of water and are so sturdy!
Hopefully this gives you some good ideas about what you might need – and what you don't – for starting seeds at home.