Starting come can be a truly rewarding practice for the home gardener , but it does need some basic know - how and the proper materials . If you ’re newfangled to growing plant from seed , it ’s important to understand that not all merchandise or DIY musical theme floating around the Internet will yield the same results . Here ’s a brief summation of some of our favorite semen - starting container and how they ferment .
Recycled Materials
Using material you already have is both frugal and eco - friendly . Plastic yoghourt tub and salad box , as well as newspaper , are all good choices . Be sure your plastic is safe to reuse and the ink on the newspaper is atoxic .
Yogurt cups : Yogurt cup are prominent enough that you wo n’t have to change your works until you put them in the ground or their permanent container . Just cut a few holes in the bottom for drainage . Be sure the container is not more narrow-minded at the top than the bottom so that the plant will come out easily when it ’s time to move it .
Salad or pastry box : These are great for create a form of miniature glasshouse . For this method , you ’ll plant many ejaculate in one container and transfer them to individual container when they make grow true farewell .
photo by Gardening Channel reader Kathy McDonald
newspaper publisher : It ’s one of the few material that will degrade quickly enough for you to be capable to place the whole container in the ground or pot when your works is ready to transfer . Do n’t seek to move newspaper plantation owner when they ’re extremely pissed , and be aware that they can be time - consuming to make if you ask more than a few . Here ’s a spry tutorial . [ https://youtu.be/pSJab0Re2fA ]
Cardboard : testicle cartonful and toilet - report rolls are pop selection because they are biodegradable . However , depending on your soil type , they may not break down tight enough . cumber the plant life to the container would leave you with a struggling , stunted plant .
Store Bought Containers
If you do n’t have a stash of recyclables or if you need a little more public lavatory , there are several options available on the grocery . Here are a few of our favorites .
Plastic plug or cellular telephone trays : They are n’t biodegradable , but they are recyclable , reusable , cheap , compact , and practical . The cells come in dissimilar size , and many can be purchase with lids to hold in heat and moisture .
Peat moss pellets : These are plan to go flat into the ground or pot , so they ’re idealistic for delicate seedlings that are prostrate to transfer impact . However , they are on the expensive side , so it may be skilful to employ them sparingly . They also tend to be too pocket-sized for sure plants , and some people describe that the netting does n’t degrade as well as it should .
photo by Gardening Channel reader Kathy McDonald
Fiber stack : Similar to peat pellet , fiber pots are biodegradable and ideally can go flat into the grunge . But many gardeners find they call for to deplumate off the bottom and contribution of the sides to be certain their plant have enough way to arise . If any part of the container is above the soil when you transfer it , bust that off as well — otherwise , it will pull wet away from your flora ’s roots .
Of of course , these are n’t all your selection , but they ’re a great place to begin . For data on other material you ’ll need and a general overview ofhow to get down seeds , check out this article .
More About Starting Seeds
Learn more at Garden Therapy .
20 ways to start seeds at The Freerange Life
Ruth Gulley is a author and contributing editor for Russell Gibson Content . A native Texan , she now resides in Virginia where she enjoys homeschooling her stepson , cuddle with her clumsy cat-o'-nine-tails named Bird , and watch seasons one through four of The Office on repeat .
