Seed Starting Trays: Best Three On the Market & Tips

Are you tired of spending too much on starter plants, and having difficulty getting your own seeds to sprout? Well, seed starting trays may be your answer. You can get a head start on the spring season, and begin planting early before the weather warms up. Not to mention, there's something special about starting a seedling and growing it into a full plant. You have to nurture the seeds from the very beginning, which makes the entire process very hands-on. Imagine starting a seed and diligently working at it until it blossoms into a beautiful flower or a tasty vegetable; the result is very rewarding.

If you already understand how great seed starting trays are for gardeners, you know that having the right one can make all the difference. However, if you do not like the idea of starting indoors, you should reconsider. Many experienced gardeners work inside and outside to grow the plants they want, and both methods provide a unique experience. But the question is, do you think seed starting trays will work well for you?

Purpose of Seed Starting Trays

Seed starting trays are specially designed to hold numerous seeds that start at the germination stage until they're ready for transplantation. Using the trays helps to ensure that each seed gets its nutrients, and it also dismisses the need for multiple plantings. Seed starting trays keep the seeds contained as well. The trays are typically plastic, and certain ones come with a dome to help increase humidity, while others include heating pads which help to speed up germination.

There are many different reasons as to why gardeners use their own starter seeds, but there are a few common reasons. One primary reason is to have the ability to plant rare and hard-to-find vegetation. You'll probably find less than a dozen variety of unique plants at a garden center, but you'll find hundreds of seed options. It also saves you money as well. Packets of seeds are cheap, and they contain dozens of seeds. But, often a single starter plant will cost a great deal more than seeds. Using seed starting trays is also a good way to get your gardening fix through the winter months. Plus, it gives an even better sense of accomplishment to take care of a plant from the very beginning.

Furthermore, there are a few seeds you can try out that are awesome for beginning indoors. The most common seeds are peppers, basil, tomatoes, marigold, and cosmos. You can also try zinnias; they're one of the most simple flowers to grow from a seed. But, all of these tend to germinate and grow rather quickly. Once you've gotten the hang of these, you can move on to more complicated plants.

The Steps to Help Your Seeds Grow

Your main goal is to get your seeds to grow so that you can successfully transfer them into your garden, but you have to make sure you're following the right procedures.

What Happens If Your Seeds Didn't Grow

The first possibility is poor germination. Certain plants tend to have low germination rates, and often that warning is stated on the seed packaging. The information will usually indicate to plant more than one seed together to improve your chances of successful growth. Soil that is too wet or too cold can cause bad germination, which causes the seeds to rot. Dry soil can also interfere with growth and prevent germination. Plus, sometimes seeds are out-dated or haven't been properly stored, and that keeps the seedling from growing as well.

Mold and algae

If you notice white growth or green spots on the surface of the planting mixture, or on the outside of the pots, it's most likely mold or algae. It's usually harmless to the seedlings, but it's a good sign that the soil mix is too wet. Give it time to dry out a little between watering, and increase air circulation through the use of fan or better ventilation.

Seed Starting Trays Pros and Cons

The great thing about starting your own seeds is that it allows you to grow food and plants organically from your own hands. It's a long process, but if you like gardening, you'll enjoy every minute of it. Not to mention, it's less expensive to buy seeds than it is to buy organic fruits and veggies from the market. And if you handle your trays correctly, you can reuse them, which helps save you money. So it's a win-win.

On the contrary, nurturing your own seeds is tedious. For some people that might present a problem, especially if something goes wrong with the growth process. 

The Best Seed Starting Trays

We've compiled a list of the best seed containers we could find that had the best customer satisfaction. So hopefully, you can pick one that's well-suited for you and your gardening level of expertise.

Comparison Table

Are You Excited About Growing Your Own Plants?

Seed starting trays are a fun way to grow plants and veggies, and we feel like they're worth investing in. They're far superior to DIY solutions, minus cost -- and the cost isn't too high anyway. 

So, are they worth it? Absolutely. These trays are for growing indoors, so unless something happens to interfere with germination, you're sure to get the results you're looking for. Plus, they're reusable. So you can continue to use them and repeat the growing process as much as you'd like.