The Pros and Cons of Various Seed Starting Containers
So you have decided to get your hands dirty and grow your own plants from seeds! Here you go. But before you jump into seed packets, you need some place to put those little green jewels as sprouts. This is where seed starting containers come in.
From recycled yogurt cups to fancy peat pots, there are plenty of options. Each has its pros and cons. Let’s take a peek at a few of the more popular choices to choose the perfect pot for your seed-starting journey!
Recycled Reusables: Eco-Friendly and Free
1. Egg Cartons and Toilet Paper Rolls: This is the old stand-by of the experienced gardener-for-freebie. They are free, bountiful, and while they also serve well to start small seeds in small numbers, such as herbs or lettuce, the bottoms need some holes poked for drainage.
- Pros: inexpensive, eco-friendly and good for starting small seeds.
- Cons: tend to be small in size, can become water-logged easily, and are not really sturdy.
2. Plastic Powerhouses: Durable and Reusable
Seed starting containers are available in a multitude of sizes, and the cells themselves are of an individual size, each to put an individual seedling in. They generally are very lightweight and consist of plastic; many times, they have a top that is domed to help hold in moisture. These trays are wonderful for keeping many seeds together in one place and easily organized for transplanting.
- Pros: May use it for years. It is easy to organize planting in them.
Carry water incredibly well.
- Cons: May take a bit of space and requires an initial cost.
3. Peat pots and coco coir pots: Convenience with a Catch
These biodegradable pots are actually made from compressed peat moss, you can simply plant the whole pot directly in the garden.
- Pros: Convenient, eliminates transplanting stress, biodegradable.
- Cons: Can dry out quickly, more costly than other options, not as sturdy.
4. Newspaper Pots: A creative and green way to start your seeds.
You can do this by yourself with strips of newspaper and a mold. Incredible durability, as well as an all-green device that will dissolve seamlessly into the ground after transplantation.
- Pros: Biodegradable, cheap, and it makes for a fun DIY project.
- Cons: Can be time-consuming to make; may not be as strong as some of the other options.
Picking Your Winner: Consider the Following Factors
- Seed size: Larger seeds- such as beans or sunflowers- have a greater spatial requirement than minute herb seeds. Select containers that afford proper root development.
- Transplanting needs: To facilitate later transplanting of the young plants, consider either peat pots or cell trays.
- Budget: Prickly bushel-gourd seed starting can be accomplished by bending pickle containers. Then again, reusable trays may be more economical in the long-term.
- Experience level: Beginners may find cell trays with domes helpful for keeping moisture in.
Bonus Tip: Seed Starting Mix Matters!
Don’t use some leftover potting soil for your seedlings. Seed starting mix is a lightweight, well-draining medium specifically designed to offer the right setting for germination.
The Final Seed Starting Standoff
There’s no perfect seed-starting container. The best choice will depend on what type of seed you are starting, what your budget is, and what your style of gardening is. Try the various options, and most importantly, just get those seeds growing. And start enjoying how magical it can be growing your little plant babies!
