Seed trays

lolly5648

I am a complete newbie and have only grown things from plugs before. This year I planted some seeds - peas, beans, courgettes, etc. I either planted them in small flower pots or plastic containers with holes in the bottom (like the transparent ones that plums from the supermarket come in) and then thinned out the seedlings.

I keep reading about people using seed trays but don't really understand what they are for. Are they just a bigger and shallower version of what I have been using or am I missing out by not using them? I feel there is more to them than I realise.

elsien

I don't think so - it's whatever is to hand. I've been using the plastic meat trays both for planting seeds and sticking on top as a cheap propogator lid!

LilacPixie

I just pick up the free trays at a garden centre and use them or i make up little paper pots.. sorry total novice and I make up my own rules

Sally_A

I seem to have hundreds, but have never bought any???? I tend to use them as a drip tray after lining them with carrier bags or plastic from compost bags.

My preferred seed trays are the blue mushroom cartons, you can easily germinate 24 runner bean seeds in one of those, and then transplant them into pots (or salvaged plastic coffee cups with a hole in the bottom).

Some mushrooms/fruit come in deeper trays, and I save these for sowing leeks: or the bottom 2 pints cut from a 4 pint milk carton, the top half then becomes a handy soil scoop or even a pooper scooper if you are a dog owner.

No need to buy seed trays, there are loads of things you can recycle that do the job just as well.

jollymummy

I've bought seed trays with lids in the past but like others have said anything goes really now. I use the plastic trays strawberries and suchlike come in, I use flower buckets that I've bought from Morrisons, I also use old juice cartons with the top cut off and holes punched in the bottom, makes my greenhouse look very jolly

savemoney

I use seed trays to put post in so easy to pull out of plastic greenhouse to water

stilernin

savemoney wrote: »

I use seed trays to put post in so easy to pull out of plastic greenhouse to water

Can you still read your gas bill when it is soggy? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Sorry, couldn't resist

stilernin

I have mentioned this tip on other threads, but you should have a close look at all packaging as you are shopping.

Yoghurts are displayed in plastic trays in the chillers. 500mls are in sixes, smaller ones in 12s. These trays are great for drip trays. Use the yoghurt pots or similar sized plant pots and they keep the kitchen windowsill clean.

Living herbs are displayed in trays with square holes if you prefer.

My greengrocer has loose mushrooms delivered in black plastic boxes; about the size of a seed tray but three times the depth. Great for growing salad leaves, salad onions etc. They are a bit brittle, but will last a few seasons and are FREE!!

Most shops are only too pleased not to have to dispose of this packaging. Just keep your eyes open.

Lotus-eater

stilernin wrote: »

My greengrocer has loose mushrooms delivered in black plastic boxes; about the size of a seed tray but three times the depth. Great for growing salad leaves, salad onions etc. They are a bit brittle, but will last a few seasons and are FREE!!

The problem is, all cheaper seed trays and modules trays are flimsy and don't last more than a couple of years, the really cheap ones don't last more than a few minutes.
So your advice to reuse old packaging is perfect and much better than going to the poundstore and buying some rubbish seed trays.