Seed Starting Buying Guide

I've been gardening and writing about gardening for more than 20 years, yet I find I'm always learning new things about the plants, insects and other critters that call my backyard home. That's the great thing about gardening &#; it's never boring! I've worked as a landscaper, on an organic farm, as a research technician in a plant pathology lab and ran a small cut-flower business, all of which inform my garden writing. Someone once asked me when I'll be finished with my gardens, to which I replied, "Never!" For me, gardening is a process, not a goal.

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Whether you're new to starting seeds or looking for fresh ways to grow your healthiest plants, we have supplies and systems that ensure success. With so many choices, how do you decide which is right for you? We're here to help.

Factors to Consider

Although you can start seeds in just about any container as long as it has holes for drainage, as with any task you're more likely to have better success using equipment designed specially for that purpose. And if you're new to seed-starting or introducing a friend to growing from seed, why not start with the systems that ensure success? Here are some considerations to help you choose.

• Reusable pots and trays are made from durable materials that can be washed, sanitized, and reused year after year.
• Plantable pots are made from biodegradable materials so the seedlings can be set in the garden pot and all, eliminating root disturbance. Cleanup is easy, and there are no bulky pots to store.
• DIY pots includes those made from recycled materials, such as newspapers, as well as pot-free soil blocks.
• Deep-root pots encourage more extensive and robust root systems that help plants make an easy transition to the garden.
• Self-watering systems deliver water to seedlings as they need it, reducing the risk of over- or under-watering.
• High volume systems allow you to grow a garden's worth of seedlings in a compact space.

Gardener's Best® XL Seed Starting Kit: Deep-Cell Kit Grows Extra-Large Seedlings

This innovative self-watering seed starting system is 30% deeper than our Deep Root, growing full-size, garden-ready seedlings that are hardier and healthier. Optional add-ons, sold separately, include: additional Seed Starting Trays and Humidity Domes for fast germination.

• Self-watering system extends time between waterings
• Durable, reusable & dishwasher-safe
• Large pop-out hole in each cell makes transplanting easier

• Perfect for:

  peppers, zinnias, and other seedlings that would benefit from a BIG starting space; no need to transplant up in a larger pot!

 

Gardener&#;s Best® ECO XL Seed Starting Kit: Deep-Cell Kit Made with 25% Less Plastic

All the benefits of our original XL Seed Starting Kit, but made with hemp fiber and 25% less plastic! Grow extra-large seedlings with an extra-green self-watering seed starting system. Additional Seed Starting Trays and Humidity Domes for fast germination, sold separately.

• Made with hemp fiber and 25% less plastic &#; each kit keeps nearly 3 pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere!
• Self-watering system extends time between waterings
• Durable, reusable & dishwasher-safe
• Large pop-out hole in each cell makes transplanting easier

• Perfect for:

  peppers, zinnias, and other seedlings that would benefit from a BIG starting space; no need to transplant up in a larger pot!

 

This heavy-duty, recycled-plastic seed starter includes an efficient and effective self-watering system that solves the challenges of over- or under-watering. Simply fill the reservoir and plants get the water they need, when they need it.

• Capilary mat delivers water from reservoir to soil
• Dishwasher-safe for easy sterilization between uses
• Clear cover holds in heat and moisture to maximize seed germination

• Perfect for:

  the brand new gardener. The included humidity dome helps seeds germinate and a bottom-up watering design will support veggies, herbs, and flowers

 

Paper Pots Seed Starter Set: Earth-Friendly Paper Cells

Expandable paper honeycomb creates a whopping 50 cells. When you're ready to transplant into the garden, pots tear apart so you can plant them, paper liner and all.

• Plantable pots are biodegradable and minimize transplant shock
• Ideal for high-volume growing
• Reusable perforated tray; paper cell refills available

• Perfect for:

  cucumbers, sunflowers, and other seedlings that don&#;t like being handled due to transplant shock

 

Paper Pot Maker: Make an Endless Supply of Plantable Pots

The ultimate in upcycling! In seconds you can transform strips of newspaper into seed-starting pots, ready to nestle into a waterproof tray and fill with soil mix. Easy, fun, and economical for high-volume growing.

• Biodegradable pots minimize transplant shock
• Make as few or as many as you need
• Eliminates the clutter and storage hassles of plastic pots

• Perfect for:

  radishes and other quick-growing seeds that don't need to spend weeks in a seedling-sized pot

 

Biodegradable Pots and Tray: Plantable Pots Minimize Transplant Shock

These fully biodegradable pots ease transplanting woes and work, allowing you to plant directly into the garden &#; pot and all. The wood fibers immediately begin to biodegrade, ensuring adequate moisture and aeration as well as restriction-free root growth.

• Plantable pots transplant directly into the soil
• Heavy-duty plastic tray is reusable year after year
• Suitable for organic gardening! No binders or glue in the pots.
• Additional biodegradable seed trays sold separately

• Perfect for:

  cucumbers, nasturtium, squash, and other seedlings that grow quickly and do not appreciate having their roots disturbed

 

Cowpots: Plastic-Free Pots with Fertilizer Built In

An ingenious farmer makes these transplanting pots from odor-free, 100% composted cow manure. As your seedlings grow, the pots gradually degrade, releasing organic nutrients. Plant pot and all in the garden for healthy root growth without transplant shock.

• Biodegradable pots transplant directly into garden
• Roots grow through and take natural fertilizer with them
• Eliminates transplant shock

• Perfect for:

  heavy feeders&#; like tomatoes, squash, and broccoli will appreciate the slow release of nutrients as this manure-based pot degrades.

 

Soil Blocker: Make Perfectly Sized "Pots" with No Waste

Never run out of starter pots again! This clever device presses moistened soil into compact blocks with a small divot in the top, ready for dropping in a seed. Roots grow freely, get oxygenated, and grow more robustly as a result.

• Make blocks as you need them &#; no need to store plastic pots
• An easy, no-waste, DIY solution that's perfect for high-volume growing
• Minimizes transplant shock.

• Perfect for:

  peppers, tomatoes, and other seeds that would benefit from a BIG starting space; no need to plant up in a larger pot!

 

Galvanized Seed Starter: Stylish Design and Smart Features

An attractive seed starter worthy of display on a tabletop or under lights. The leakproof tray holds 24 individual, tapered cells, so you can bring the ready-to-transplant seedlings to the garden without disturbing the other plants.

• Longlasting and resuable, year after year
• Chic galvanized metal complements home decor
• Seedlings remove easily with little root disturbance

• Perfect for:

  starting a variety of seed types; separate pots make it easy to transplant individual plants one at a time 

   

 

Deep Root Seed Starter: Grow Bigger, Healthier Plants

This self-watering system features deep growing cells that result in more root mass &#; the secret to vigorous seedlings that thrive when transplanted. The smart design is inspired by the systems used in European horticulture laboratories.

• Heavy-duty system can be reused for many years
• Self-watering system ensures proper hydration

• Perfect for:

  peppers, tomatoes, zinnias, and other seeds that would benefit from a BIG starting space with plenty of root space

 

Pop-Out Pots: Seedlings Grow 40% Larger with No Transplant Shock

Pop-Out Pots are the secret to seedlings that are primed for robust growth in the garden. Transplant young seedlings from seed starting trays into these self-watering pots. When it&#;s time to set plants in the garden, simply lift the fabric strips to &#;pop out&#; plants without disturbing roots.

• Self-watering system ensures perfect hydration
• Easy-lift line minimizes root disturbance
• Compact design fits on a windowsill

• Perfect for:

  cucumbers, squash, sunflowers, and other seedlings that don&#;t like being handled due to transplant shock

 

Self-Watering Galvanized Seed Starting Tray: Galvanized Individual-Cell Seed Tray Has Self-Watering Convenience

We designed this system for season after season of successful seed-starting. The leak proof tray holds 24 individual cells, so you can bring the ready-to-transplant seedlings to the garden without disturbing seedlings that aren't quite big enough.

• Enjoy seed-starting success year after year
• Tapered pots let you easily remove seedlings
• Wire grid with moisture-retaining mat keeps seedlings hydrated

• Perfect for:

  starting a variety of seed types; separate pots make it easy to transplant individual plants one at a time

 

Sili Seedlings Seedling Tray, 6-Cell: Eco-Friendly, Silicone Seed-Starting System is Reusable

These sustainable silicone seed-starting trays are durable, reusable, and easy on tender young roots. Because they're so flexible, you can pop seedlings out with ease &#; no tugging or tearing required.

• Pop seedlings out quickly and easily
• BPA-free, food-grade silicone
• Dishwasher safe

• Perfect for:

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  starting seeds with kids (crush-proof!) or gardening in colder climates (frost-proof!)

 

Sili Seedlings Seedling Tray, 10-Cell: Silicone Seed-Starting Trays Are Dishwasher Safe

These silicone trays make seed-starting so much more fun! Like other systems they have base drainage so that soil doesn't stay soggy and rot your seeds. Unlike plastic trays, they won't snap, crack, or break from use. Plus, they're flexible and twistable &#; so when seedlings are big enough to go out to the garden, it's super easy to pop them out. Use 5 to a base tray and you have 50 plants in a 10" x 20" space!

• Durable and flexible
• Reduces risk of transplant shock
• 5 trays fit perfectly in our Heavy Duty planting tray

• Perfect for:

  starting A LOT of seeds with kids (crush-proof!) or gardening in colder climates (frost-proof!)

 

Coco Coir Seed Starting Discs and Tray: No-Mess Seed-Starting System with 50 Plantable Coir Discs

You'll love this reusable, no-mess seed-starting system. Just hydrate the 50 individual coir discs in their cells, add your seeds, and wait for the little shoots to appear! Water as needed until they're ready to transplant into the garden, coir and all! Replacement coir discs available separately.

• No soil to mix or scoop
• Start a lot of seeds in a small space

• Perfect for:

  s

  tarting a whole garden; 50 pre-fi

  lled cells make it easy to start many, many seeds at once

   

Whether you&#;re a seed starting beginner or a long-time grower experiencing new challenges, you&#;re not alone! We&#;ve collected some of the most common questions we get asked about seed starting with helpful answers and troubleshooting advice.

Finding the right seed starting system is only half the battle! Explore our deep dive on seed-starting to learn the ins and outs of growing flowers and veggies from seed, so you can graduate from novice sower to master grower!

Seed starting trays are one of the easiest ways to start vegetable, flower, and other plant seedlings indoors before the weather warms up. They come in a variety of sizes, with different features, and materials, but which ones are best?

Are some seed starting trays better then others and why? This is what I set out to find out this years growing season, in my quest to grow more of my own vegetables at home!

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Are Seed Starting Trays Absolutly Necessary?

In past years, I never really used seed starting trays and always went with a collection of mixed solo cups, old flower pots , yogurt containers, egg cartons, basically whatever I could find and put soil in! While all these containers do work, and can be a great way to garden on a budget, I never really found that much success with my mix and match approach.

The main problem with this approach is that it simply makes things harder to manage. The various containers all require different amounts of water to stay moist, they take up way more space, and you have to move each seedling individually should you want to move them out, under grow lights or into a new window sill.

In short, are seed starter trays necessary for the beginner gardener? No, not exactly, but they sure do make life a whole lot easier, and dramatically improve your chances of success!

Why would we recommend using seed starting trays?

Seed starter trays make life a whole lot easier by conveniently grouping seedlings into easy to manage trays.

• It is much easier to provide adequate lighting when all the seedlings are grouped closely together instead of being spaced out in various size containers. The trays easily fit under grow lights, and can easily be moved around as a group.
• As the seed tray cells are all a uniform size, it is much easier to water, and stay on top of the moistures requirements of the various seedlings. As the seed trays all contain proper drainage, they also help prevent over watering the seedlings.
• It is much easier to plant similar types of plants in their own trays, for example herbs in one, lettuces in another, etc. This helps when needing to harden off or transplant certain seedlings before others.
• Some seed trays even come with clear plastic covers or domes, which help regulate moisture, especially in the beginning phases of germination and growth.

Different Seed Starting Tray Materials and Designs

Most often seed starting trays are made of rigid plastic and are reusable, or are made of super thin recyclable plastic that is meant to be thrown away after using. Some are a combo of plastic drip tray with bio-degradable cells or peat pellets that can later be planted right into the garden.

There are a wide range of designs to choose from, and it can be overwhelming, especially for new gardeners.

Which you'll end up choosing depends on several factors and we'll go over some of the most common designs in this guide to help you decide what will work best for you.

Seed Tray Sizes

Most seed starter trays come in a 10" x 20" size, but differ in the amount of 'cells' or individual plants that can be planted in the tray.

The more cells a tray has, the shorter the time frame before the seedlings out grow the tray and need to be planted out or transplanted into larger containers.

Tray sizes range from 12 cell trays - 128 cell trays! In my experience, tray sizes between 24 cells and 48 cells work best and will safely keep your plants indoors for 4 to 8 weeks before needing to be transplanted.

• Trays with a high number of cells (and thus a shorter growth time indoors) work especially well for lettuces such as spinach, kale, and head lettuces, which can be transplanted out into the garden sooner, either under hoop tunnels or in cold frames, then other plants.
• Trays with a smaller number of cells (for example 24 - 36 cells per tray) are ideal for plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, herbs, and squashes.

Root vegetables, should when possible always be planted directly in the garden and not transplanted.

If you see roots coming out of the cells or peat pellet inserts, it's time to transplant the seedlings into a larger container or into the garden.

Bio-degradable inserts vs plastic cell trays

Which style of seed starter tray you choose is ultimately up to you.

Bio-degradable cell inserts are great, and make transplanting easy as the entire 'cell' is simply transplanted directly into a larger container or into the garden, and the tray material bio-degrades. They do need to be replaced yearly though and have a tendency to develop mold easier then plastic cell trays do.

Plastic seed starter trays are mostly re-usable, especially the more rigid plastic celled trays. The seedlings can be slightly harder to remove from the trays at transplanting time though, and you may need to use a butter knife, or spoon handle to help loosens the sides of the individual cells.

Never pull on the seedling stems to try and remove the cell from the tray as you will most probably damage the plant!

Additional accessories for your seed trays

Consider these accessories when starting and growing seedlings indoors. They make life a whole lot easier, and increase your chances of success! If you have to pick just one of them, I will always recommend grow lights be the first upgrade to your indoor seedlings!

• LED Grow Lights- specially designed lights to provide the proper amount of lights seedlings require to prevent growth issues.
• Heat Mats- help by keeping soil temperatures consistently warm, speeding up and aiding in germination rates.
• Base Trays- provide drainage for trays with drainage holes, and allow you to water your seedlings from below. Tis can help prevent disease and pest problems!
• Clear Dome Lid- Help keep heat and moisture in the seed tray. Especially important when waiting for seeds to germinate. A great and cheap investment when heat mats are not possible.

The Best Seed Starting Trays For Beginner Gardeners

In our quest to discover which seed trays work best for our vegetable garden needs, we purchased and trialed three of the most commonly available styles of seed starting trays. Biodegradable cell inserts on a plastic base tray, peat pellet inserts with a base tray, and a rigid plastic celled tray with a base for watering.

Jiffy Professional Greenhouse 72-Cell Starter kit

Review:

A great seed starting tray for beginners, just add water and the peat pellets expand. No need for extra potting soil, or filling pots. Seeds sprout quickly and the clear heat dome helps retain moisture, reducing the need to water as often. Downside to this size tray is the short growing time before the seedlings need to be moved to larger pots or transplanted into the garden. Plan accordingly. Perfect for lettuces or plants that can be transplanted within a week or two of germination.

Pros:

• Easy to plant peat pellets
• Comes with clear lid to retain moisture
• Comes with base tray for easy watering
• No need to purchase potting soil

Cons:

• Seedlings quickly outgrow the peat pellets
• pellets need to be replaced after each use

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32 Cell Peat Pot Strips

Review:

Large peat pots provide enough space for plants to grow for 6 to 8 weeks. Perfect for tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, or squash seedlings. Base tray allows for easy watering, though care must be taken not to overwater to prevent mold growth. We found cutting the strips apart before planting made transplanting easier, with less disturbance to the plants. A great, easy to use tray for most plants.

Pros:

• Bio-degradable inserts make planting and transplanting easy
• Larger cell size allows for seedlings to stay indoors longer nd develop healthy root systems
• Comes with base tray for easy watering
• Allows for longer growth time before transplanting

Cons:

• Inserts need to be replaced yearly
• Requires a solid watering tray (sold separately)
• Requires potting soil to fill.

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Re-Useable 72 Cell Plug Tray

Review:

The re-useable nature of this seed tray requires only adding new potting soil before each use. The deep 1.8 inch plugs allow for more root development despite the high cell count. We found the seedlings to easily grow for up to 4-6 weeks before requiring transplanting. Perfect for herbs, peppers, lettuces etc. Plugs are harder to remove at transplant time though and require loosening of the sides with a spoon or popsicle stick, increasing the chances of damaging roots.

Pros:

• Entire plastic tray is reusable
• Each cell has dedicated drainage hole
• Deep 1.8" cells allow for more root development.

Cons:

• requires base tray for drainage
• seedlings are harder to remove then with bio-degradable inserts or pellets

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Summary

Over all we found that all three styles of seed starting trays had their own pros and cons making them great for different things. With all trays we tried, we found planting 2-3 seeds per cell and then trimming back to just one seedling after sprouting to give the best results.

The small Jiffy peat plugs where great for starting lettuces, herbs, and brassicas that can be transplanted out sooner even in cool weather. Tomatoes and cucumbers struggled in these peat plugs due to the limited growing space for the roots and required transplanting into larger pots fairly quickly.

The larger 32 peat pots where wonderful for plants that require more time to establish before being planted out. Tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and squashes all did well in this tray for up to 8 weeks. The only downside was the need to separate and space out some of the plants once they grew so large they where shading the other seedlings.

The re-useable 72 cell tray with 2 inch plugs worked surprisingly well, even for our larger plants, such as tomatoes and peppers. The deeper cell plugs allowed the plants to stay in the trays longer then expected. Removing the plugs without damaging the roots was a bit of a challenge though and took some getting the hang of.

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