I get a passel of questions about source set out supply , and before I get into this pathfinder , I desire to make clear :

You dead do not need to spend a fortune on cum starting supplying .

I ’ve antecedently written posts on scoringcheap source starting supplies at the dollar store(in other aislesbesidesthe garden aisle ! ) and also where you’re able to findfree ejaculate starting containers . I ’ve evenstarted seeds in eggshellsandmade newspaper pots to sow in seeds in .

So you have a lot of options if you ’d rather spend your money on seeds and soil mixes ( which is where I ’d personally sharpen my budget if I was just starting out again ) .

That say , there are definitely benefit to buying HIGH - QUALITY seed starting supplies that will last for many years . If you may vest in a few key pieces each yr , they ’ll pay for themselves over and over because :

This list does n’t include my total indoor seed set out setup ( which I ’ll embrace in a separate postal service ) . I just cover the items that I feel are essential to get started , and because I ’ve been using most of these items for years , I can vouch for how long they ’ve live and how much I ’ve trust on them .

Further down below , I also recommend a few of my pet semen starting tool that you do n’t necessarilyneed , but they will make things much easier !

Disclosure : If you shop from my article or make a leverage through one of my golf links , I may receive mission on some of the products I advocate .

The best seed starting trays

Who ’s have the effective seed startle trays ? Hands down , Bootstrap Farmer .

They make the most durable trays ever that do n’t crouch or sag like other sword do . I ’ve been using the same tray for more than seven geezerhood and there ’s not a shot or incision in them . ( Which is saying a caboodle , as I ’m pretty rough on my tools and also had toddler during that time who love to “ help ” in the garden . ) They also make out in multiple fun color besides ignominious , and that ’s a piddling incentive that makes me so happy every time I see them !

The industry standard is a 1020 tray , which I think makes the best economic consumption of space . It ’s called a 1020 tray because it ’s 10×20 inches in sizing , so 1020 trays from different brandsshouldall nest inside each other , but buying trays made by the same company will ensure they do .

Flat trays

lease ’s start withthese flat trays , which are designed to hold various inserts and pots . This is one of the pieces that run to get the most hammered over a season , so it pays to get the good - quality tray you could .

Bootstrap Farmer

twin these 1020 shallow trays with cell trays to bottom water your seedling more effectively .

I favor the shallow rendering without muddle , which match all my Bootstrap Farmer inserts perfectly . It also progress to it very easy to bottom body of water seedling . I also have a set of the deeper trays that I use to carry other pots outside for indurate off transplants , to hold random tool and seed package , thing like that .

Cell trays

I usethese 32 - cubicle seed starter trays with insert , which I find to be a very pliant arrangement . The bottom tray is where I usually get going my seeds . Each cell is 2 inch square and 2 inch deep . If I need to pot up seedlings , I practice the included pots ( 3 inches recondite ) which cuddle neatly inside the tray .

32-cell trays with pots

The larger cubicle and included pots make for a very flexible system for seed begin .

If I do it my seedlings will be staying in pots for a while , I ’ll start seeds right in those pots ( instead of in the bottom tray ) . This set give me a few options depending on what I ’m growing each season , and I like that I can use one or both spell together or singly .

A full-grown question here is : How many jail cell do you want per tray ?

If you ’re get down thousands of seeds or have a smaller space , you might go with their128 - cellor72 - cellinserts instead . The cells are much small ( about 1 inch straight ) but they ’re more efficient if you be given to transplant seedling soon after the first genuine leafage appear .

However , there ’s another product I love if you require to go that route …

Air pruning trays

I ’ve only been usingthese tune pruning traysfor a twelvemonth - and - a - one-half , but wow ! My indoor - grown seedlings in my northern climate get quite full-bodied in these .

72-cell air pruning trays

Special air strips further greater atmosphere flow for sizeable root system and stronger seedlings .

Bootstrap Farmer ring this an alternative to soil blocking , as it offers all the same benefits of respectable root organization and stronger transplant without the pot .

The trays have limited line strips in each cell that “ air prune ” the root to keep root circling . ( It ’s the same principle asgrow bags , which I also lie with using . ) The large holes on the bottom make it bare to pop a seedling out without disturb it too much . ( And no , ground wo n’t fall through those holes when you fill the tray — I was skeptical too , until I started using it . )

you could use the same seed start mix you always use and mark it inside a 1020 shallow tray for bottom watering .

Do you needbothtypes of cell trays ?

I personally care get options , and I palpate the 32 - cell tray and 72 - cellular phone air pruning tray proffer enough versatility that I do n’t demand to buy a bunch of other trays and pots for my seed get down .

If you ’re shy of how many you need , let ’s say you ’re only sowing 5 to 10 seeds of each change of works , and you ’re grow 10 different vegetables . So you ’re start 50 to 100 cells . ( I say cells rather of seeds here , because you might sow a couple of seeds per cell to ensure germination . )

In this scenario , I would suggest buying two trays — a32 - celland a72 - cell , or two of the50 - cell . This way you may constitute one tray with semen that ’ll grow faster or have like days to maturity , and plant the other tray with slower - growing vegetables . It makes your seedling much easier to finagle .

The best seed starting mix

If you ’ve take my other Wiley Post aboutmaking your own ejaculate starting premix , then you jazz my opinion that this is the best way to go , specially if you ’re starting lots of seeds . It does n’t take much more sweat than using premade mix , and you ’ll save some money too .

You only postulate three ingredients : peat moss(orcoco coir),perlite , andvermiculite .

If you prefer to buy something off the shelf , here ’s a in high spirits - quality bagged mixthat I ’ve used in my girl ’s school garden . ( I also like that it comes in a comely - sized cup of tea for the average home nurseryman . )

Espoma

Organic seed starter

This 16 - quart handbag of cum begin mix is more than enough to start an entire time of year ’s Charles Frederick Worth of seeds at home .

The best affordable grow lights

You ’ll get hold many opinions on what the in force develop lights for plants are , and this is mine : For casual seed starting , you do n’t need anything fancy . Even workshop visible light will do .

But if you require a reliable , energy - effective , powerful grow Inner Light that will last years , go withthese full - spectrum LED lights . These are the exact grow light I apply at menage , and at the time of writing ( January 2025 ) , I think they ’re the good bang for the sawhorse .

Barrina

Full-spectrum T8 LED grow lights

For chance seed set about , these low-cost yet powerful visible light will aid you stir strong seedling .

They ’re also super simple to apply ( just secure in and go ! ) and you’re able to attach them ( with adjustable slide fastener ties or chain ) to any shelving whole you ’re using for seed jump . you could also daisy chain multiple Barrina lights quite easily .

Other tools I love

Timer

An outlet timer is optional , but let ’s be honest , most of us are way too busy to remember to wrick the lights on and off every day . ( Before I had a timekeeper , I happen that I would just turn the lights on and off on my schedule , so my seedling were n’t amaze the full 16 hr recommend for hard growth . )

A simplemanualordigitaloutlet timer is all you need , but I personally usethis multi - outlet surge defender timerso I can plug away in my lights , my heat mat , and a yoke of small fan .

BN - Link

Surge protector digital timer

A multi - outlet timekeeper lets you plug away in all your lights , fans , and heat mat while ensuring your seedlings get 16 hours of light per Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .

Mini fan

speak of fans , I addedthese portable cartridge holder - on fansto my seed come out setup a duet years ago and I repent not getting them sooner !

Comfort Zone

Mini clip-on fan

Run these portable 6 - in fans for a couple hours each day to prevent damping off disease and strengthen seedlings .

If you ’ve read myguide to indurate off plants , I recommend lightly brushing the tops of your seedling with your hands to simulate a duck soup and facilitate them mature substantial root word . you could altogether still do that , as it ’s loose and you ’re likely tick on your seedling every day anyway .

But ply small fans for a couple hours a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. has really upped my game , as they’vereduced the chance of damping off diseaseto jolly much zero and provide crucial air flow once all my seedlings develop in thicker .

Heat mat

I ’ll start off by suppose this item is notessential . I start seeds indoors for many years without a heat mat , and they came up just ok .

But after I go to Central Oregon and set up my seed jump station in the garage ( where it often never bugger off above 60 ° F in early spring ) , I noticed heat - have it away crops like capsicum pepper plant and tomatoes would take much longer to germinate . Combined with a humidness bonce ( below ) , this hotness lustrelessness made all the difference in meliorate my germination rate and time byat leasta week !

10×20 heat mat

This heat gym mat fits dead under your ejaculate commence tray to gently inflame the soil and encourage germination . In dusty spaces , it also help oneself warm up the air around your seedling .

You only require one mat , butthis two - packis a capital deal . Once your seeds spud , you could move the matting to another tray as needed or keep it under your seedlings to avail warm up up the ambient room temperature ( if you ’re starting seminal fluid near a draughty window or in a coolheaded part of your home , for instance ) .

Humidity domes

I utilise humidness domes over my trays straightaway after sowing seeds to keep in heating and wet . For most of the cool - season crop I commence in my garage , this domeis enough to warm up them up and they do n’t call for a heat flatness for germination . ( And if your seed set forth post is inside your house , it ’s probably all you demand as well . )

utilise a humidity covered stadium right after you sow cum to help oneself keep heat and moisture in for firm and more uniform germination .

The 3 - inch domes are my favorite height since they ’re less bulky .

Seed planting trowels

I start out usingthis adorable spoonful - sized trowelfrom Gardener ’s Supply , which comes in much handy than you might think . It stool quick work of releasing seedlings from cell trays and I also use it when repot houseplant . Much more efficacious than a regular spoonful , which was my anterior tool for the job .

Gardener ’s Supply Company

Mini trowel

Who knew a spoon - sized trowel could be so utilitarian ? ! This is the sodding size for repotting seedlings and make minute trenches in soil .

late , I purchasedthis seeded player planting trowelfrom Fiskars and I like it even more ! It combines multiple prick into one ( a mini trowel , a widger , and a dibble ) and clean up very easily .

Fiskars

Seed planting trowel

This ready to hand tool is actually multiple dick in one : a mini trowel with mensuration marks , a widger , and a dibble .