"Save Some Green" Seed Starters

You guys like all those S's?

Want to get a jump on the season- even while the snow is flying outside (as it is currently)? Seed- aka "germination"- trays are the way to go. You may have seen them- they are plastic containers that you drop magically expanding pellets in. These pellets are the kind that you add water to so that they pop up like those dino-shaped sponges we had as kids. Once that wonderful change occurs, you add seeds to the nicely filled out soil pods. The containers and pellets serve as happy little micro-environments for your sprouting seeds. They just love it. I purchased some last year and can vouch for the results.


Being on a more strict gardening budget this year, I decided not to buy the pellets to reuse in the containers I saved from last season. Instead, I've been saving egg cartons. With these I've fashioned my own seed starting trays. These little home-made trays are great because they don't cost anything extra, they give new life to a product that would otherwise be thrown away and when the seedlings are ready to go out in the garden, you just cut the individual "cups" (where each egg previously sat) and plop them into the soil. Since I use paper egg cartons, the paper breaks down, leaving the seedlings' roots relatively undisturbed. You also don't have to worry about drainage, like you would in styrofoam egg cartons. Great, huh?

Materials needed:
Pressed paper (cardboard type- not styrofoam) egg carton
Plastic wrap
Scissors
Toothpicks
Pen
Water
Seed Starting Soil
Spoon or small trowel
Small watering can

Grab your egg carton and lay it open. Mine has a tab on the side, so I'm going to cut that off...




Next cut off the lid...



Place the lid of the carton so it can act like a bowl. Layer a sheet of plastic wrap over this; it will function as the base of our tray. The plastic wrap keeps water from soaking into the base and provides a source of water for the seedlings...




My egg carton has dips on the sides that I will use to water my seedlings. If yours doesn't, cut some in- but not too deep or else water won't stay in the tray...



Stick the egg holder section of the carton on top of the plastic-lined base so they stack together. The egg holder section will contain the soil and seeds...



Fill cups with seed-starting soil. This kind of soil is specially formulated to be easy for seedlings to take root. It's not absolutely necessary, but can help get them off to a good start...





Plant seeds according to instructions on packet...



Label which seeds are where with leftover pieces of carton or paper (I used the tab I cut off in the first step) and a toothpick. Do this as you go so you don't accidentally mislabel a cup or forget where things are...




Place seed tray in a stable area (where you plan to leave it) and fill base with water using your small watering can and the dip in the side of the carton...



Cover with another layer of plastic wrap to create a "greenhouse". This will help retain moisture and some warmth. You can use Ziploc bags for extra thermal retention, but I just stuck with a layer of Saran...



When your seedlings have a couple of leaves (or their first set of "true" leaves), vent the plastic wrap covering to allow air to circulate. Thin to the strongest in each cup if there are spacing restrictions for your plants (usually are) once your seedlings have three sets of leaves (2 sets of true leaves). Harden off before placing them permanently in their outdoor home (very important!). Just cut the cup out and stick your little seedling, paper and all, into its new home. Keep soil at the same level- do not cover higher up the stem. If you need more help when you get to this step, let me know.

That's it! You'll have cute, happy little seedlings in no time. Or in whatever amount of time it takes for them to germinate. Here are some seedlings that I germinated in the same manner last year:




I would love to see pictures if any of you try this!