Cheap or Free Seed Starting Containers

Why shop around for cheap or free seed starting containers? Aren't those little peat pots pretty cheap anyway? Not really. Especially when you consider they're disposable. You can only use them once. In fact, the price of ready-made seed starting containers has gone through the roof. So much so that we passed on them this year and found a better way to start our seeds. We did purchase some containers for starting our seeds. We'll use the same ones next year. So, what did we use?

We used foam cups as seed starting containers. This year we bought 200 foam cups for five dollars to start our seeds in. We priced out the peat pots. The same amount would have cost us forty five dollars. That enabled us to buy good quality potting soil to fill the peat pots, with a good deal of cash leftover. Next year, we'll have compost, so starting the seeds will be virtually free. Why? The foam cups are re-usable. We just saved them once the seedlings were planted.

Please note:

*If you plan on using foam cups as seed starting containers, punch a hole in the bottom for drainage.

Added benefit:

*You can write the name of the plant right on the cup.

*If it breaks, it cost you less than a penny.

We also used egg cartons. It isn't just the eggs that are good for your garden. You can use the cartons as free seed starting containers too. These babies are great for starting seeds in. They're already compartmentalized. Just like the foam cups, you'll need to poke a hole for drainage. You can't re-use these next year because they absorb too much water, but at least they didn't just go in the trash.

Please note:

*If you plan on using egg cartons as free seed starting containers, don't plant them like you do the peat pots. They will grow mold underground.

Added benefits:

*The container gets wet. It holds extra water for the plant.

*You can peel it right off for easy planting.

Milk jugs and cartons make excellent free seed starting containers. To use the plastic jugs, just cut the top away, leaving the handle. Punch a hole in the bottom, fill with soil and you're ready to plant. If you'd rather, you can use small rocks for drainage instead of punching a hole.As for the paper cartons, just cut the top off, punch a hole in the bottom, fill with soil and you've got a nice little container.

Added benefits:

*Both the plastic and paper milk containers can be saved for use next year, since the paper is wax coated.

*The plastic milk jug has a built in handle, for easy carrying.

Old muffin tins and paper cupcake wrappers are cheap seed starting containers. Just layer gravel or shells in the muffin tin for drainage. Punch a hole in the bottom of the paper wrappers. Fill them with soil and place them on top of the gravel. The muffin tin and potting soil will hold the wrappers upright.

Added benefits:

*The paper wrappers will lift right out of the muffin tin and are plantable.

*You can use the tin every year.

*You don't have to feel guilty throwing away your old worn out muffin tin.

My Mom used to use plastic margarine tubs as seed starting containers. In fact, she used them for a lot of things. Nothing was thrown away until it outlived it's usefulness when I was growing up. Punch a hole in the bottom of your clean, used margarine tub. Layer gravel on the bottom for extra drainage. Fill with dirt and plant away.

Added benefits:

*You can use the margarine tub cover as a plant saucer to catch water draining from the plant.

*These can be used for many years and stack neatly for storage.


More from this contributor:

How to Grow Great Radishes

How to Grow Great Green Beans

How to Grow Great Tomatoes

Source:

Personal experience