Seed Starting done the RIGHT Way | Picking the best tray for your garden

My Top Recommended Seed Starting Supplies

1.) Plug Trays (also called Inserts)
We have finally found extremely durable plant trays! These trays can stand up to our harsh farm conditions and will be an important part of your seed starting supplies for years to come. The 32 cell tray is the most versatile of the trays. You can utilize it for most veggies and flowers. These trays are exceptional for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and vegetable crops that need extra space in the pots before planting out.

2.) Bottom watering trays - Essential for spring and summer seed starting!

Make sure you purchase trays that do not have drain holes in them. As you can use these with other recycled trays and planting applications.

3.) Humidity Domes to create a greenhouse effect

We understand that these products are expensive, but they come with a 2-year warranty and they will last you much, much longer than that. They are made from recycled plastic and your investment in quality seed starting supplies will reward your garden season after season. Over our decade of growing seriously, we have used every tray, pot, and insert out there. These are the best that we have found. We hope you love them too!

People often ask me what size and kind of seed starting tray they should buy, and there are so many options out there!

You can re-use six packs that you already have around. Using something you already have is a great way to minimize waste. However, some six-pack trays are not recyclable, they have wasted space, and most of them are very flimsy or prone to breaking.

When you're ready to make an investment in your garden and seed starting, we recommend these Plug Trays from Boostrap! This one comes with 32 cells, and they're deep to accommodate plants with long roots or to give yourself more time before planting into the ground (versus having to pot plants up).

No matter what you use for your starters, we HIGHLY recommend a tray. A properly sized tray captures and retains moisture so your soil and seedlings can access water when needed. This bottom-watering method is a great way to ensure your plants get the attention they need without the time commitment. Keep an eye on the water level and quality, but this method means you'll need to check in every few days instead of watering daily.

Got questions about the equipment we use? Let us know in a comment!

[MEFROMCHI]

Hello! I struggled and went back and forth with what size cell to grow veg and annual flowers. In the end I am going with 50- cells for most veg and 72- for flowers. Don’t forget to consider the higher cost of seed starting mix which will need to fill the large 32-cell/pots vs less expensive potting soil where the plugs can be transplanted to in larger pots.

[yeralizardjerry]

Very high quality content here! Thank you so much for a concise side by side comparison.

[ranevsadomadark]

Great video! I am here at the recommendation of Kevin from Epic Gardening. I really adore and respect his work and he had such great things to say about you. I am looking forward to starting some seeds that I will get from you!

[CrystalMendoza]

Thanks for the recommendations👍🏼I’m looking at several option right now and this helped

[susylopez]

These are perfect. Placing an order now. I personally don’t like to start seeds in my house. I’m just crazy like that, I need to built a teeny tiny green house.

[lynnez]

Very helpful video, thank you. For those of us who do not have a greenhouse or a place indoors for seed starting, what are your thoughts about domed seed starter containers?

[joinkansas]

Thank you for this. I'm new and trying to understand if it's ok to have water sitting in the bottom trays. Will the roots rot? Will the plant become waterlogged? Or do they know how to just use what they need?

[michaelmangieri]

Hi, I used the 36 cell trays and found I had to add a lot of water and then my tomatoes became over watered. Not to sure they are the best choice for tomatoes. I think a smaller cell that sits closer to the water would work better. What do you think?

[lynnzirkle]

What do you use for tomato seed starting mix where they grow in small pot for 6-8 weeks and probably need a little fertilizer along the way?

[Earthy-Artist]

Question: Hi, Are you using the Bootstrap Farmer 'Standard 1020' tray underneath the 32 tray/pot combo? Or are you using the 'Shallow 1020' tray underneath please -Thanks

[mgarciber]

Where did you buy those colorful square pots?

[JigmeChhimi]

I bought some water with the exact same trays bought them after I saw your video now when I bought them water how long do you leave the water in there

[tlotlosenai]

There are less videos on growing fruits rather than vegetables from seeds. Same principle?

[leseri]

What are you using as a growing medium?

[kathleengibson-rodgers]

I just went to the Bootstrap Farmer site and they are sold out of the colored 'pot's (2 x 2) that you use in your video and they are sold out of the colored 'bottom watering tray's' that you recommend as well. I am understanding the '32-cell tray' that you are talking about and your link takes me right to it. Although I wanted the colored pots to go into them like you have (again, sold out), but when I go to the 'bottom watering tray' link (again sold I am trying to understand just what to buy. 'Shallow or deep'? I LOVE your YouTube channel and I was so ready to buy these products you have recommended, but they don't seem to have much right honestly that is frustrating. If you recommend a product in the future, could you make sure (if possible) that the company has 'some' in stock so we as your fans can purchase them??

[denisdufresne]

No, the best are either soil blocks or winstrip tray. Everything else is trash.