My new favorite seed starting supplies - Ask the Food Geek

I finally bought reusable seed starting trays to replace the flimsy black plastic ones that crack apart after a single season. The new seed starting trays are silicon, can be sanitized in the dishwasher, and come with humidity domes and built in mini grow lights.

With competitive price and timely delivery, MARSHINE sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

The cost is pretty affordable as well, coming out to about $0.50 cents per plant. I plan to use these for the next 10 years or more, which means they would come out to about $0.05 cents instead!

• My current seed starting setup
• Product details
• Seed starting mixes
• Alternative seed starting options
• Where to buy
• Store your seeds in a binder
• You might also like

My current seed starting setup

I bought these colorful silicon seed starting trays this year - both for fun and function. They sit adorably in the window, making me smile every time I walk by. As a bonus - they are as practical as they are cute.

Update : sadly, the product I bought has been replaced with just the silicon trays, without the humidity dome or lights. You can try these instead, which look to be the same (but less colorful).

Why use silicon seed starting trays

Silicon seed starting trays have recently started popping up and are gaining popularity over the standard paper-thin black plastic trays you find at nurseries. Those plastic trays crack after one use and can get a bit toasty on a seedling heat mat.

The silicon trays are flexible, making it easy to push on the bottom to pop the plant out for transplanting. They can also be placed in the dishwasher for easy sanitizing year after year.

Why these trays

After browsing through all of the silicon seed starting tray options on Amazon and nursery websites, I settled on these trays from Amazon. I think you get a lot for the price and the quality is high.

I bought the 8-pack of silicon trays that each come with a thick plastic bottom, and a tall 4" humidity dome with mini grow lights built in. It also comes with 80 plant tags and a couple mini plastic tools for punching holes in soil or scooping soil. Each tray has 9 cells for a total of 72 cells.

update: the trays I bought have been replaced by the seller with just the trays (no humidity domes or grow lights). You can try these instead.

Product details

I took measurements of the seed starting trays in case you are trying to fit them on a windowsill, a standard tray size, or trying to determine what to use for your seed starting medium.

• Silicon tray is exactly 5" x 5"
• Cell interior is 1.5" x 1.5"
• Silicon tray height: 2.25"
• Plastic tray: 5.75" x 5.75" to edge of lip, and 4.75" x 4.75" across the bottom
• Plastic tray height: 2.75"
• Dome: 4" high
• USB cable to power grow lights: 14" long

The 8-pack of silicon trays comes with 4 USB "double" cables to power the grow lights. Each cable splits into 2 cords and each of those cords is 14" long. I bought a $15 USB power strip to plug them in.

Everything you need for seed starting is listed at the bottom of this post, in one place.

Seed starting mixes

In my experience, the most important factor for successful seed starting is finding the right soil or growing medium. This can make germination easy or near impossible, depending on what you choose. The two easiest seed starting options are Horticubes and OrganiPlugs. Seed starting soil mixes are also a good option.

Seeds need to stay moist in order to germinate. It might seem like you can simply pick any soil and keep it watered, but too much water without drying out invites mold. Mold can stunt or kill the seedlings.

Seed starting soil mixes are formulated to hold moisture, often including perlite or peat, which is a good thing! But I've found soil to be too finicky for seed germination for my liking. It seems too easy to underwater, resulting in poor germination, but overwatering often leads to mold growth on the top. I know other people who have had more luck with soil mixes or soil blocking.

This year I'm trying out OrganiPlugs and they've worked out well so far. They are made of peat and coco coir and feel quite spongy. They stay moist and so far I haven't run into mold problems (and don't expect to).

OrganiPlugs are made to fit into standard seed starting trays. They fit almost perfectly in each cell of the silicon trays I bought - they have just a little bit of wiggle room.

I'm also using Horticubes for herbs this year. They don't fit in the silicon trays, instead they are meant to sit in a large tray then get transplanted shortly after germination.

(All of the products are also listed at the bottom of this post in one place).

Alternative seed starting options

I have a couple other options to suggest if for some reason you don't want to share in the joy of these cute, resusable trays!

Upcycle disposable containers

Empty yogurt, fruit cup, or applesauce containers make great seed starting pots - just be sure to drill a few holes in the bottom. Leftover take-out containers work well as a tray to collect the draining water.

When upcycling containers, you'll likely need to use a seed starting soil mix. If you do this, be sure to check the moisture levels several times a day so it doesn't dry out, or stay too wet.

OrganiPlug pre-filled tray

OrganiPlug offers a 50-cell tray pre-filled with their OrganiPlugs. It doesn't get much easier than that. However, the tray will likely only be usable for 1-2 years as the thin plastic will crack as you remove the plants for transplanting.

Oasis Horticubes

I actually use this seed starting method every year, including this year - Horticubes. They are the most reliable and easiest seed germinating medium. I really can't stress how easy these are to use.

These feel like foam but are made from biodegradable materials that will continuously break down over the course of the year. It's sterile medium so it won't transfer pests or diseases.

Horticubes hold water extremely well and don't mold. Seed germination is easy and all but guaranteed. I never run into problems when using Horticubes.

The downside is they are very small and offer no nutrients. That's fine for germination but they will need to be transplanted to larger containers as soon as their first set to true leaves shows up. If you don't transplant, they just stop growing (I know, because I've done it!)

I use these every year for starting herb seeds where I want a bunch of each type of plant. Once they sprout, I transplant them to a larger tray with soil that I continue to water. When they are ready to be transplanted outdoors, I break apart the roots if they've grown together and set them in their sunny spots!

One note worth mentioning is the sheets that arrive are fragile. They can easily break apart if you aren't careful or if shipping was rough.

Get Horticubes on Amazon or Harris Seeds for a similar price.

Other options

There are a few other options to consider - rockwool, foam plugs, and seed starting soil mixes. I don't think these options are as good as the ones listed above, however.

Rockwool is made from molten rock that is spun into threads to create the product. I used rockwool cubes a while back but stopped when I learned it might be harmful to the lungs.

It's too bad because they are a fantastic medium. They are relatively cheap ($0.10 per cube or less), hold water extremely well, and never mold. Seed germination in these is outstanding.

Some people still use them, and I don't feel like I've found enough credible evidence to confidently advise against using these. I personally don't use them because I prefer to err on the side of caution, and I've found other alternatives.

Foam plugs are another option. They actually work quite well - they hold water, don't mold, and are affordable. But I personally don't use them because they don't compost into the soil, leaving little spongy plugs around.

Seed starting soils are formulated specifically for seed starting. They often contain perlite, peat, and coco coir to hold water. As I mentioned earlier though, I always have trouble with either over watering and getting mold problems, or underwatering, resulting in poor germination.

If you've had luck with seed starting soils in the past, then I see no reason you wouldn't continue to have success. It's a good, affordable option!

Where to buy

Amazon is actually a great place for seed starting supplies. I find their prices are often much lower than online seed websites and even hardware stores. The links in this article are affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase (and a big thanks if you do!). In return, I only recommend products that I personally use and feel good recommending.

Everything you need for seed starting with my silicon tray setup:

• Colorful silicon seed starting trays
• OrganiPlug 100 count
• A USB hub for the grow lights

Alternatives

• OrganiPlug pre-filled tray
• Horticubes (larger) - these are the ones I use
• Horticubes (smaller)
• Black plastic 6-cell nursery packs (thin plastic, 1-2 uses)
• Plastic plant labels

Extras:

Seeds need warmth to germinate, so most people set them on a little heat mat. Once they germinate, remove them from the heat mat and leave them at room temperature.

The heat mats get slightly warmer than room temperature, and the inexpensive ones don't have controls other than being plugged in or not. Mine are all like this and were very inexpensive (small ones are around $15). This 10x20" heat mat will fit the 8 silicon trays (they might hang off the edges a little). I don't have this one in particular because I bought mine over 10 years ago. It has good reviews and looks exactly the same as what I use.

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Alternatively, set your seeds on top of your fridge to germinate. It's just warm enough to lend a helping hand instead of a heat mat.

Where to buy seeds

I bought seeds from a dozen vendors last year. In part it was to evaluate vendors since so many people ask me for my favorite sources. But part of it was chasing unique varieties that only one or two vendors sold.

I share a dozen of the best places to buy seeds, from incredibly cheap sources for $2 or less, to fully organic but more expensive. I also have a good source that specializes in each specific climate, including the Pacific Northwest, West Coast, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast.

For information on how to start your seeds, Swanson Nursery has a good tutorial.

Store your seeds in a binder

4-pocket binder sheets fit seed packets perfectly. The smallest pack you can buy seems to be 25-30, which gives you 100-120 pockets. When storing them back-to-back (one faces front, one faces back), you get double the storage for 200-240 seed packets. I bought a 50-pack and it was way too many - oops.

I also bought a 1.5" thick binder which was definitely too small. I would definitely recommend a 3" ring binder, especially if you are storing large seeds like beans, peas, and corn.

You might also like

Not only do seed trays help protect your seeds while they germinate, but they also make it easy to transport and care for your young plants.

Great. So where do you start?

In this guide, I’ll go over everything you need to know about shopping for seed trays, including different types and sizes, materials, and features to look for.

From beginner gardeners to natural green thumbs, with a little bit of research and a dash of creativity, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect seed trays for your gardening needs.

Searching for seed starting trays online will give you over 13 million results. Combine that with the different styles and prices, and a lot of beginner gardeners get too overwhelmed to even continue. Who can blame them?

Instead of getting lost in the noise, here are my top choices for the best seed starter trays online. And I’ll include the 100% free tray that you probably already have in your kitchen trash.

Skip ahead to #4 to see what I’m talking about.

1. Biodegradable seed starting pots

These little pots from Wiok are 100% biodegradable. They’re made from natural pulp and peat and are compostable and recyclable — all of my favorite ‘ables’.

Because the trays are made with natural materials, you can cut out individual cells or use the whole tray for one type of flower, plant, vegetable or even succulent. And the best part is that there’s no need to prick out your seedlings. Just plant the whole cell in the ground and you’re set for spring.

2. Seed tray with air-regulating cover

These seed trays from Delxo are designed to promote air flow and just the right amount of humidity that germination and growing seedlings need.

Each of the plastic cells has drainage holes, and you get a tray to put under to catch water — that’s great for anyone growing plants or veg on their windowsill. The biggest plus of this collection of trays is the clear top with adjustable air vents, letting you regulate how much air goes in and comes out.

3. BPA-free plastic seed starting trays

This type of tray is the go-to for most gardeners around the world… and for good reason. Each cell is just the right depth for young seedlings and with drainage holes already built in, the risk of overwatering is decreased.

The main drawback to plastic trays like this is that it’s hard to cut and use individual cells. If you’re not planting that many seeds, go for an option with less cells.

4. Plastic meat trays

These are the seed starting trays that I use. They’re basically free if you consider that I was going to just recycle them after we used the meat. And they keep this material from ending up in a landfill or in the recycling bin.

Plastic meat trays are also shallow enough to keep me from over watering and drowning my seeds and seedlings. If you want to give it a try, remember to pop a few drainage holes in the bottom before you add any soil.

What is a seedling tray used for?

A seedling tray is a tray with small compartments or cells where seedlings are grown before they’re transplanted (pricked out) into a larger container or planted in the ground outside.

Seedling trays are used to start seeds indoors or in a greenhouse, and they provide a controlled environment for the seedlings to grow. That means that it’s easier for you to control the water, heat and sunlight for each tray and type of plant.

Seedling trays are typically made of plastic or peat, and they can be filled with different types of seed-starting soil, such as soil, compost, or a soilless mix.

The size and shape of the cells in a seedling tray can vary, and some seedling trays have a clear plastic cover to help maintain consistent humidity and temperature.

How to shop for the best seed starting trays

It’s easy to assume that all seed starting trays are the same. But there are a few factors that affect how you’ll use them.

The material

Usually, seed trays fall into 2 categories: biodegradable or reusable.

• Reusable plastic seed starter trays are a great choice because they’re lightweight, reusable and cheap. If you use plastic meat trays as I do, then they’re practically free and with a quick wash, you can reuse them for many seasons to come.

• The biggest downside to standard reusable plastic seed trays is that you have to either prick out each seedling when they’re ready to plant outside or remove each plug (the seedling as its root system in the soil) to plant on.

• Biodegradable seed starter trays can be planted directly in the soil without removing the seedlings. That means that your little plants are less likely to experience any serious root shock.

• In one way, this saves you a ton of time. But they do cost more than reusable seed trays. You can also make your own biodegradable seed trays with old toilet paper tubes.

The seed tray’s size

How many seeds are you planting? Ask yourself that and it’ll help you decide how many cells (the little ‘cups’ in the tray) that you need.

If you’re growing indoors, go for seed trays that can fit on your windowsill. If space is an issue, do look at plastic meat trays, they’re usually small enough to fit on a windowsill and are easy to rotate every other day to keep your seedlings from getting too long or leggy.

You’ll also need to look at the actual depth of each cell. Most seed tray cells have a depth between 1.5-2.5 inches (38-63 mm). I don’t suggest choosing a tray with cells deeper than 3 inches (76 mm) because it makes it harder for the water to drain out.

You Asked — We Answered

Why should you use a seed starting tray?

You need to use a seed starting tray (or shallow tray of some kind) because it’s the safest way to make sure that you don't overwater your seeds.

If you bury them in a regular size pot — even a small one — you run the risk of drowning them and you waste soil having to fill up a larger container.

How many seedling trays do you need?

It depends on how many seeds you want to plant. If you get a seed starting tray with 252 cells, that means that you can plant 252 seeds.

What should you put under seed starting trays?

There are several things you can put under seed starting trays to protect your surfaces and make it easier to move the trays around:

1. A tray or shallow container: Place your seed starting tray on top of a tray or shallow container to catch any water that may drain out of the tray. This protects your surfaces from water damage and makes it easier to move the tray around.

2. A seed starting mat: Seed starting mats are designed to be placed under seed starting trays to regulate the temperature and moisture levels of the soil. These mats can be placed on a flat surface and plugged into an outlet to provide gentle, bottom-up heat to the seedlings.

3. A seed starting rack: A seed starting rack is a stand that holds multiple seed starting trays. These racks can be placed on a flat surface and usually include wheels for easy movement. Some seed starting racks also have built-in grow lights, which can help provide additional light to your seedlings.

How do I remove seedlings from trays for planting?

To remove seedlings from a plastic tray for planting, turn the tray upside down and gently squeeze each cell to remove the seedling. If you’ve planted in a plastic meat tray, you’ll need to use a tongue depressor or a blunt knife (like a butter knife) to lift each seedling out.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit cheap seed starting trays.

What is the ideal temperature for healthy seedling growth?