In today’s video, I show you how to make free seed starting greenhouses out of food grade disposable containers that can be used to enhance germination rates for a wide variety of plants. This is one of my favorite free garden hacks for starting seeds. These free containers are your garden’s new best friend!
• How To Start Seeds: https://youtu.be/PCGZ5wp8_kY?si=4X5GejmOsLDJPcWj
I use the following products* for starting seeds and vegetable gardening:
4FT LED Grow Light (60W): https://amzlink.to/az0V6hbDTqDNP
Seedling Heat Mat: https://amzlink.to/az071jOYOileE
Seedling Heat Mat & Thermostat Kit: https://amzlink.to/az0w0n9cO7SRH
Indoor Watering Can (1L): https://amzlink.to/az0DLHxdf26bx
Seed Starting Potting Mix: https://amzlink.to/az0FPbyjEblPm
Soil Sifter: https://amzlink.to/az0x2xCzz4bmp
Grow Bags (Black): https://amzlink.to/az0UDaVzkSLWi
Grow Bags (Tan): https://amzlink.to/az02kBaExY5sL
Thicker Row Cover, 1.5oz/yd, 10x30FT: https://amzlink.to/az09JmFkSWHQS
Plant Jacket, 120″x120″, 1.5oz/yd: https://amzlink.to/az0nSYzLzrSnw
Shade Cloth: https://amzlink.to/az01boLJy9JNI
Insect Netting: https://amzlink.to/az0H5tKMYxP2O
Pruning Snips: https://amzlink.to/az0S6BULZGPmi
Alaska Fish Fertilizer [5-1-1] (Gallon): https://amzlink.to/az0Jhw8liNoe3
True Organic All Purpose Fertilizer [5-4-5]: https://amzlink.to/az0lVAel6Wss7
Espoma PlantTone [5-3-3] (36lb): https://amzlink.to/az0gylQKIH3hO
Espoma PlantTone [5-3-3] (50lb): https://amzlink.to/az0dh0dYaye1l
Espoma Bone Meal (10lb): https://amzlink.to/az0KAuCOZcPgQ
True Organic Blood Meal (3lbs): https://amzlink.to/az0jNeCruTl6a
Azomite Trace Minerals (44lb): https://amzlink.to/az0qPn4i34Eol
Jack’s All Purpose [20-20-20] (1.5lb): https://amzlink.to/az0JG0Dv6Da0h
Jack’s All Purpose [20-20-20] (25lb): https://amzlink.to/az0F6FgxdhKjO
Jack’s Blossom Booster [10-30-20] (25lb): https://amzlink.to/az08lv7ZJFnUu
• Full Amazon Store: https://amzlink.to/az0yli4Cz0iXX
TABLE OF CONTENTS
0:00 Introduction
0:56 Free Seed Starting Containers!
2:11 How To Sow Seeds
3:48 Favorite Crops To Sow This Way
6:28 Be Careful Sowing These Crops
7:47 Germination Results
9:00 How To Transplant Seedlings
11:19 Why I Love These Containers
13:23 Is Drainage Necessary?
15:35 Adventures With Dale
If you have any questions about how to start seeds indoors, how to grow a vegetable garden at home, how to grow fruit trees or the things I grow in my raised bed vegetable garden and edible landscaping food forest, please ask in the Comments below!
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ABOUT MY GARDEN
Location: Southeastern NC, Brunswick County (Wilmington area)
Zone 8B, 34.1°N Latitude
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© The Millennial Gardener
#gardening #garden #gardenhacks #vegetablegardening #seedstarting
35 Comments
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0:00 Introduction
0:56 Free Seed Starting Containers!
2:11 How To Sow Seeds
3:48 Favorite Crops To Sow This Way
6:28 Be Careful Sowing These Crops
7:47 Germination Results
9:00 How To Transplant Seedlings
11:19 Why I Love These Containers
13:23 Is Drainage Necessary?
15:35 Adventures With Dale
Thanks for sharing this
I reuse all plastic food and drink containers since they are food safe. Fast food cups (never a shortage of those!), Mac n cheese cups, solo cups, pickle containers, yogurt cups, sour cream containers, etc all of them. Just cut holes in the bottom and go find some seeds💃🏻 and the lids make great plant trays. Are they pretty? Um no. Do they work and keep plastic out of the landfill? Yes.
I love the pickle containers lol 😆 looks like decent quality plastic.
Most plastic things are nice n all until the plastic gets brittle cuz of cold temps, they break , they blow around , there’s plastic everywhere.
It’s nice for people who live south but they become a pain in the ass up here in the north east.
I do keep some around but ultimately they just end being broken clutter because I can only store them outside where they’re exposed to the elements.
And because I have to store them outside and then spiders make their homes in them and I dont want to disturb the spiders cuz it makes me feel bad so I just leave them alone.
The plastic things are def one of my biggest headaches of gardening. And a lot of the clay pots too are just as bad.
They only last if you have a well insulated place to store them for the winter.
When I’m ready to plant I usually just grab something out of the recycle bin or get creative w something else.
No Costco here but plastic ice cream containers work.
Hahaha so true
Great video! This will help manage seedlings in the house easier and with more options!
I save yogurt and sour cream containers for seed starting. It has worked well. Not related to the topic of this video, but you mentioned using mulch. I have not done this in the past but think I will do so this year. I have drip irrigation, do you recommend that it go under the mulch or on top of it?
I too, could make "snow angels" in my old containers. 😂
Ive even been using grillos containers for miscellaneous hardware. Those clear cans are perfect for storing screws, nails, etc. Also they dont break like a glass jar would. Germinating is a great idea. Thank you for sharing!
We like using the quart containers restaurants do to go soups in. A restaurant supply store near us supplies several sizes and clarity options.
surprised you listed tomatoes as sensitive, I've always found them easy to tear apart and transplant
I use the clamshell containers that tomatoes and fruit come in from the grocery. They already have holes in the bottom/lid and lid is attached. Since I grow my own produce I have friends and coworkers save them and of course share some of my garden goodies. They last for years if stored away from light when not in use.
Did you put holes in the pickle containers? This is a great idea
Fun fact: I ChatGPT who are the famous YouTubers for North Carolina gardening and you are ranked #1. Congratulations!!!!
I have a question. Should I reuse my old container mix if I had disease and alot of pest pressure from last year?
I unfortunately do not have those wonderful pickle containers available to me. How ever i do use a c-pap machine and I have feed that machine everyday with distilled water. I buy clear I gallon bottles. I use these bottles to start plants early. I cut the top off and put my seed starting mix in and tape the top back on in a hinge style. I start peppers and tomatoes and herbs and all the other seeds he mentioned in these one gallon bottles. I have started root veggies in them also, by placing the seeds several inches apart and separating before any seed mat forms to prevent shock.
This reminds me of the lady who reuses gallon milk jugs to start mass seeds. However, she puts them outside during the winter with the lids off and lets nature take its course. Have you ever tried this? I’m trying it this winter but don’t expect much because our temperature fluctuates too much. Last week it never got above freezing and this week it’s in the 50’s and 60’s.
Hey! Recycle those little black seed starters. And use $1 rectangular planters from dollar stores. Last year I bought cheap plastic rectangular organizers and cut feed sacks to line them, throw in a few inches of soil, and then seeds. Super easy and cheap. They have simple handles too.
Plastic coffee containers work great too.
Ziploc bags are best! They come in different sizes, seal, partially open, and are reusable.
Do ypu put holes in the bottom? It doesn't look like you do??
Rotisserie chicken containers would work too.
PLEASE AVOID PLASTIC
My local restaurant has carry out margaritas that come in containers about that tall but half the diameter. I drill holes in the bottom and use the lid as a saucer. Win win.
Most of the black containers can be recycled .
Great information!
Hello from Union County! We happened to go to Costco last. night and I got a container of Grillo's. Then I get home and see there is a new video all about Grillo's containers! I have Candy onions growing in the one container I already have. Can"t wait to put them in the garden if it will get a bit above freezing at night. Thanks for another great video!
Nothing smarter than eating an acidic product, like pickles, from a plastic container. I guess it's one way to get your daily recommended dose of dissolved/leached plastic into your diet.
What a genius you are!
And, thanks to your brilliant ideas, I'll be sure to NOT bother to listen to anything you have to share!
👎 to you, dummy.
That’s funny I’ve been saving mine from Costco also, waiting to put them to good use, the only difference is that my pickle containers have a handy little carry handle
Sweet Boy Dale❤
Without drain holes are you careful to not over water seedlings? Oh, you answered that question.😮
It’s the homemade Ice tea container from the Chinese restaurant for me👍🏽
Great minds. Been using Grillos containers since the pandemic!
When is good time to plant carrots in Pacific NW?