In this video, I test a new seed starting tray design that makes growing and removing seedlings easier. These trays increased seed germination rates and cut my transplant time in half! No more stuck seedlings, no more damaged plants. Are these the ultimate seed starting trays? Check them out and decide for yourself.
These videos help make seed starting easier:
• How To Start Seeds: https://youtu.be/PCGZ5wp8_kY?si=krgyG5XqE8bFhmr4
• Choosing The Right Seed Starting Mix: https://youtu.be/TEW5Jckef88
The following products* were featured in this video:
• Silicone Seed Starting Trays (Featured): https://amzlink.to/az0Heg8xfkUCr
• Seed Starting Potting Mix: https://amzlink.to/az0FPbyjEblPm
• Indoor Watering Can (1L): https://amzlink.to/az0FlMEyD1Ino
• 4FT LED Grow Light (60W): https://amzlink.to/az0V6hbDTqDNP
• Seedling Heat Mat (Option 1): https://amzlink.to/az0XvDQgWu10c
• Seedling Heat Mat (Option 2): https://amzlink.to/az071jOYOileE
• Seedling Heat Mat Thermostat: https://amzlink.to/az0i1xyTB5YYo
• Seedling Heat Mat & Thermostat Kit: https://amzlink.to/az09zZ3jolNZE
• EZGRO Indoor Plant Food [15-30-15]: https://amzlink.to/az0NY44MUZlGS
• 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
• 3.5″ Square Pots w/Trays: https://amzlink.to/az0MLv6IYBC4E
• 10″x20″ Tray Bases (10 Pack): https://amzlink.to/az0ph0kA3h1uR
• 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
•• Full Amazon Store: https://amzlink.to/az0yli4Cz0iXX
•• Some of my favorite seeds can be purchased** here:
• Broccoli ‘Gypsy: https://www.pntra.com/t/8-12781-345111-269073?url=https%3A%2F%2Fterritorialseed.com%2Fproducts%2Fbroccoli-gypsy%3Fvariant%3D12786028052579
• Cabbage ‘Primo Vantage’: https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/cabbage/fresh-market-cabbage/primo-vantage-f1-cabbage-seed-3231.html
• Cabbage ‘Red Acre’: https://amzlink.to/az0SlfjQvGxLj
• Cauliflower Mix: https://amzlink.to/az0vYIWlP66Jw
• Romaine ‘Giant Caesar’: https://amzlink.to/az0e4i93EciKy
• Bok Choy ‘White Stem’: https://amzlink.to/az0IkF9Kwgg6E
• Escarole ‘Eliance’: https://www.pjatr.com/t/8-12781-345111-269073?url=https%3A%2F%2Fterritorialseed.com%2Fproducts%2Feliance%3Fvariant%3D41647586672814
TABLE OF CONTENTS
0:00 Introduction
0:28 Typical Ways To Start Seed
1:17 Exciting New Seed Tray Design
2:46 How To Start Seeds
5:58 Germination Results
6:39 Seed Tray Comparison Test
10:26 Transplanting Seedlings
11:49 A Cheap Seed Tray Nightmare!
12:29 Final Thoughts, Tips And Tricks
14:56 Adventures With Dale
If you have any questions about how to start seeds indoors, growing 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, are looking for more gardening tips and tricks and garden hacks, have questions about vegetable gardening and organic gardening in general, or want to share DIY and “how to” garden tips and gardening hacks of your own, please leave a comment!
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https://www.themillennialgardener.com/
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VISIT MY AMAZON STORE FOR PRODUCTS I USE MOST OFTEN IN MY GARDEN*
https://amzlink.to/az0yli4Cz0iXX
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ABOUT MY GARDEN
Location: Southeastern NC, Brunswick County (Wilmington area)
Zone 8B, 34.1°N Latitude
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*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
**Some seeds are affiliate links and earn commission at no cost to you.
© The Millennial Gardener
#gardening #garden #gardeningtips #vegetablegardening #vegetablegarden
39 Comments
I've had an excellent experience with the bootstrap farmer seed starting trays
Epic Gardening in the US makes great seedling trays and up in Canada Sproutbox Garden makes great trays.
Love these but for the peeps who are looking for an alternative: Silicone muffin tray
I am done with overpriced, flimsy plastic seedling modules that turn into plastic waste after one or two seasons and they are pain to clean. I started using cheap small-ish clear shoeboxes for my seedlings. I make sure of a good drainage (cheap soldering iron works well), use good starting mix and never had a problem with transplanting. Easy to fill, easy to clean and my shoe boxes will last for several years. Also roots have more space to grow.
Thank you for all your wisdom. Always great topics. By far the best gardening tips compared to others. And I’ve watched some good ones. Watched many of your videos about fertilizing. Made a cheat sheet. Ever thought of making and selling a cheat sheet or small book about fertilizing? Your fertilizing plan works great! Dale is a joy to watch as well. Many blessings!
tried an 8 tray pack of them last years, I just pushed on the bottom, the cucumbers I started in them popped right out, I'll be buying more this year. I'll try squeezing them this year see if it's any different
I like that it’s got strips of 4 cells. Trying to get seedlings out of a 72 cell is a test of patience! 😂
Dude good find! Thanks for doing a review of those gotta get em!
I saw these while shopping for garden stuff, and they look interesting
I'm so glad you tried these because I keep seeing them at the stores and I want to buy them but I just haven't pulled the trigger yet. Seeing your success with them, I think I'm going to give them a try. I actually found some at Aldi. It's still the plastic ones but they're a little more heavy duty and they actually come with the bottom trays and the domes and it was only five bucks for a four pack of 24 sales each which was insanely cheap but they'll probably only last one season lol. But I appreciate you going the distance and trying out these products so we have a chance to see what works for us as well
Like so many others on here. Last year I invested in the epic seed starting trays. They were fantastic. I added quite a few more this year, including their new 3 inch and 5 inch. Love that they’re made in the US also. I’m kind of a hard person to impress but when I took out that 5 inch pot, I was shocked. And could only envision the beautiful large tomato start I hope to have this year in there.
I use a plastic spoon to get the little plants out. No squeezing
I have a few of these. I like them for the ease of plant removal and the potential for reuse versus 6 cells. I do push up from the bottom instead of squeezing the sides when removing the plants. My only gripe is the cell size is smaller than I like. The plants out grow the cells too fast.
They look pretty sturdy. Hope I don’t forget to try them next year. ❤ You know, Mr dedicated Dale look like you interrupted his beauty nap. 😂😂 😂❤❤❤
The last few years I've been using the 40 cell trays for seedlings and when it comes time to up-pot I remove them with a plastic fork. The seedling pops right out of the tray. Even though the trays are very thin and flimsy, they stay intact and undamaged.
I like larger cells, my seedlings would get root bound in that
Good boy, Dale! You go on and soak up that sunshine!
I've been using silicone seed trays for a few years now. Makes things so easy.
I like the modern uses of silicone. I first used them in kitchen utensils. I've seen silicone baking trays and silicone ice cube trays. It was only a matter of time before gardening products used silicone cleverly. These look pretty good! Glad you showed us your experiment.
how do you thin your seeds without killing them all?
I started saving my chinese food containers, my Costco cookie containers and any other one with a plastic top and I just space the seeds out. These have worked incredibly well. I just got tired of spending lots of money on the actual seed trays. But then I'm not very particular about my organization and I don't care how things look that much as long as I get results.
How do you get broccoli to form without going to seed this time of year? I planted some last fall in Atlanta and did get some very tasty broccoli just before Thanksgiving. But about half bolted, even between October-November.
I have a box of those (not the squeeze) but come with all of those vents bases and inserts. REALLY a good deal at least for what I bought used for cactus seed and minus inserts for a variety of exotic for the grow tent. What I'm worrying about is that you might be monitoring my thoughts as I'm starting seedlings and you put out this vid!! 🙂 I'm starting some shishito peppers after producing only shishito red berries for the last three year attempts but having just loaded a metal on legs, raised beds with what you informed me was the two items to use, top soil and compost vs "Raised Bed and Potting Soil" I'm hoping to succeed (although Crazy, I can raise three other peppers no fail without even trying???) One thing I learned from you is don't fertilize for foliage or that's about what you'll get. Thanks a lot for all you do to give a scientific edge to our subject. P.S. MIRACLE GROW! sacrilege as per raised be loading?
Bless him. Wait until he stumbles upon the snail method. 😉 Burpees had their silicone bottom trays out for some years now. They’re ok. I find the individual silicone pots (Amazon) to be the most easy to work with and aid with transplants into the garden.
I try not to pull seedlings by their stems because it can damage them. I pull them by the leaves😊. Those silicone trays look like a game changer !
I night regular thin square seed starting trays before the deeper ones became popular, over 12 years ago now, have used them for 8 seasons and i sometimes squeeze the bottoms to get the plants out, but other times i slide a plastic knife or flattish spoon in to dig them out…. smart all of the seed cells are still fine to use… might get something new next year as a see a few might finally be on their last round
I hope you can help me this has nothing to do with your video but you have made 1 about compost bins. Can I use you black trash can as a compost bin on black top. I have no yard just a driveway and I would love to have a compost bin. So sorry to Mention this on your video but I love your method with the composting trash can or what can I use? Tried the Tumbler but that didn't work at all. Thank you so much. Happy Gardening
Put the seed starting mix in a large tote. Will be much easier to fill.
If you are on a budget. look for silicone molds or ice cube trays in thrift stores. Just cover with plastic lids from take out orders. We know how to economize.
Ok you sold me I ordered a 4 pack
They only last one or two seasons but they're nice. The silicone breaks down fast.
Why do you use peat pellets for your more valuable plants? I actually did see starting side-by-side with peat pellets and seed starting soil this year. Found that seeds in the peat pellets sprouted faster than the ones I had in the soil. They also seemed to drain a bit more efficiently. Just wondered what your reasons are for using peat pellets. I actually don’t see them recommended very often aside from your channel.
You need to use less phosphorus ,it's not needed
The black plastic is taller than the new ones that also have more openings on the bottom and are soft. Can't you also push up a little on the new ones? Seems good.
i bought a similar product from Burpee and the slicon got brittle and cracked! Not worth it to me!
Maybe I'm the oddball here – but I really don't mind the cheap plastic cells. I am okay with 1 or 2 uses – and then I replenish. I start around 250-300 plants each year – and that's only about $10 out of my pocket. Also, I am not a big fan of cleaning cells I've used before. That – said, I am intrigued. Thank you! Also – Thank you for posting your seed preferences. I was set to ask about one you called out in this vid – but there it was. Like clockwork. You are very consistent, if not the MOST consistent, with this and I am most appreciative!
What size Pete pellets do you use? 36mm or 55mm?
Thank you.
I love the Burpee trays that are kind of like those. They have 3 that I know of, orange 8 cell tray, green 16 cell tray and a blue 36 cell tray. I bought all three and They made seed starting so much easier than using those cheap plastic 6 cell trays.