What can I use instead of seed starting trays?

Your recycling bin can be a great source of materials for making your own seed starting pots.

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As planting season approaches, if you have a sunny window, you can start some of your vegetables indoors. The earlier you start your seeds, the larger the plants will be when it's time to transplant them, allowing for an earlier harvest from your garden.

While most garden centers sell plastic trays and pots, along with soil blocks and peat pots for starting seeds indoors, you may prefer to explore various DIY seed pots that you can create from items already in your recycling bin.

1. Newspaper Pots

To make small seedling pots, roll doubled-up sheets of newspaper around a small jar. Glue the bottom together with wheat paste, or fold the paper into a square pot and staple the edges. The entire pot can be planted in the ground when the soil is warm enough and the seedling is mature.

2. Egg Cartons

Cardboard egg cartons are perfect for starting a dozen seedlings. They can be cut apart for planting when it’s time to transfer them to your garden. Similar to newspaper pots, there’s no need to remove the plants from the containers before planting as the cardboard will break down in the soil.

3. Eggshells

Eggshell halves can also serve as seedling pots, fitting perfectly inside an egg carton tray. Just be sure to punch a small hole in the bottom of each shell for drainage. This is a great way to utilize both cartons and shells in your gardening endeavors.

4. Paper Towel or Toilet Paper Tubes

The cardboard tubes from toilet paper can be cut to create small seedling pots. You can either leave the bottom open to fit tightly in a tray or cut several vertical slits in the bottom and fold them to create a base. The first option is easier, while the second method helps prevent soil spillage.

5. Yogurt Cups

Single-serving yogurt cups can be repurposed as seedling pots. While larger yogurt containers work too, they take up more space. Cut small holes in the bottom for drainage, and after planting, clean and dry the cups for repeated use.

6. Paper Coffee Cups

Paper coffee cups from cafes can also function as seedling pots. Puncture small holes in the bottom for drainage. When it's time to plant them in the garden, you can either remove the bottom or just the cup’s base, allowing the rest to decompose in your compost pile.

7. To-Go Containers

Clamshell containers with clear lids serve as excellent planting trays. Punch holes in the bottom for drainage, fill with soil, plant your seeds, and use the clear top as a mini-greenhouse until the seedlings emerge. This is ideal for starting multiple plants or growing kitchen microgreens like sunflower sprouts or wheatgrass.

Seed Pot Trays

You will need trays to hold your DIY seedling pots and contain water and soil. Soda and canned goods packaging can serve this purpose. Thick cardboard boxes can also be fashioned into trays that are durable enough for regular dampening. Additionally, old plastic containers found at thrift stores make excellent seedling trays.

Creating your own seedling pots helps you repurpose common household items while getting a headstart on the gardening season. This process can be both economical and rewarding, allowing you to experiment with different pots and trays to see which ones work best for your planting needs.