Seed-starting season is here, and I’ve learned over the years that the key to success is being prepared before it’s time to sow. There’s nothing worse than scrambling to find seed trays, labels, or even your seeds on the day you’re ready to sow. That’s why I’m using this time to get organized, gather supplies, and fine-tune my seed-starting setup—and I want to show you exactly how I do it.
In this video, I’m sharing my favorite seed-starting tips, hacks, and must-have supplies that have made my life easier over the years. I show you the best way that I have found to store and organize seeds plus clever, budget-friendly tools that I use every season, and I’ll walk you through my process so you can start seeds with confidence and efficiency.
If you’ve ever struggled to keep your seed-starting setup organized or wished you had a system that makes planting day smooth and stress-free, you’re going to love these simple but effective strategies. Let’s get everything in place now so when the time comes, all you have to do is plant!
📌 Topics Covered in This Video:
✅ Why you should prep your seed-starting equipment now
✅ How to use my go-to seed starting trays from WinStrip
✅ The new way that I now store and organize seeds
✅ The game-changing inexpensive items I use for mixing soil and sowing seed
✅ How to prepare your soil mix for healthy seedlings
✅ How to label your trays so you never get your seedlings mixed up again
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Products & Items Mentioned in the Video:
✅ Winstrip® trays by Neversink Farm (72-cell, 50-cell, and XL 18-cell versions): https://neversinktools.com/collections/winstrip-trays/products/winstrip-trays?sca_ref=3108930.sd2CqwIYNm
✅ Bottom trays (for catching water and keeping things tidy): https://neversinktools.com/collections/winstrip-trays/products/indestructible-bottom-tray?sca_ref=3108930.sd2CqwIYNm
✅ Ammo box (used for seed storage): https://amzn.to/3QxvxsM
✅ Seed dispenser with adjustable openings: https://amzn.to/4gXhBTV
✅ Concrete mixing bins (from Home Depot or Lowe’s, under $10)
✅ Soil Scoop: https://amzn.to/3Xht9tU
✅ ProMix seed-starting mix (peat-based with perlite): https://amzn.to/3EPfcwW
✅ Takeout containers (as an alternative to seed trays, as long as they have drainage holes)
✅ Painter’s tape (used for labeling seed trays): https://amzn.to/4hReu0W
✅ Sharpie marker (for writing on tape or labels): https://amzn.to/3QvRSqy
More joegardener® Resources:
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13 Comments
Hi Joe I wondering if your wife is wondering what happened to her potatoe Masher lol !?😂😂😂
YEAH! Feb 24 and it was 31 this morning in Cherokee County! Nice during the sun time of the day but it'll get cold again tonight.
So very happy to see you back! 🌱🌱🌱
Yes! Another season with Joe Gardener. 🙂
Can’t wait for more videos!!
Like the green house. Thanks
I cataloged all my seeds after listening to your podcast on the subject. It’s been great so far. Thank you. The only suggestion I’d make is to make backup copies of the spreadsheet. I accidentally screwed mine up after sorting and filtering and it took several hours to straighten out 😮. I even ended up with the same ammo boxes (Greenmade) when I saw them at Costco.
thank u joe,, appreciate it..Keep that beard…
You had me at spreadsheet #geekalert
The ammo box fits seeds perfectly. What is your view on if seeds need air or not?
I think the ammo box is waterproof and air proof? Was thinking of getting a waterproof storage tub, but wondered about the air subject. Some use mason jars, ect. Some store in freezer which I believe is not good because most freezers auto defrost and the National seed banks have climate control.
I use photo sheets inside a large 3 ring binder and I’m trying the photo boxes, but find those to be cumbersome. The photo sheets everything is displayed and no packets flying about. The larger seeds I put in a zip lock inside a tub because they don’t fit nice in any storage. So my biggest issue would be protecting them from humidity, hence the reason to get a waterproof storage tub to put them all together. And I collect seeds—a lot of seeds and they aren’t in nice seed packets 😉.
Thank you for your input and glad to see you back.
Such an exciting time for most gardeners who grow from seed. I've got several seedlings up and growing for the season. I'm curious, I noticed you don't premoisten your seed starting mix? I always do that and of course use a dome of some kind until 70% of the seeds germinate, then remove. What are your thoughts about why you don't like to pre-moisten your seed starting mix? Here's to another wonderful gardening season!
Have you given up on PittMoss?
Love the content since it's so informative, even as a home gardener! Do you prefer soil blocks, Winstrips, or is it a complicated question to answer? I was curious since I notice you have the soil blocks and Winstrips and I've been debating at length what to snag for my setup.