How do you start your seeds ?

[daylilydude]

Just want to see how ya'll start your seeds ? peat pellets,paper pots,6 packs (not beer (LOL) old milk jugs whatever?
I have started mine in the jiffy 72 peat pellet trays for a long time with no problems.

[glow=blue,2,300]UPDATE ![/glow]

Now i have to change the way i start seeds ! I was sittin on the porch swing and the UPS driver pulls up and gives me a package it said Veseys on the side so i had to make sure it was for me and sure enough it was . So i opened it up and this is what i found .
www.veseys.com/us/en/store/tools/indoorseed/sowgrowplant/image
So i went and ask my wife what was going on and this is what she told me that i had taken my vesey's catalog to the special readin room so she was a flippin thru it wanting to buy me something besides seeds cause i grow these maters for her and she figured that these would make it eaiser on me ain't that sweet !!

[trudy]

Those should do a fine job. A Mini greenhouse. But back to your question. I reuse trays that plants come in. If its a large seed I use (reuse) 3-4" pots. Before I got a collection of the pots and trays I used Solo cups, cut down soda drink bottles, those produce clear containers that have lids. If it would hold soil I used it I think. trudy

[wvpeach]

What a sweet thing to do day lilly dude.

Sounds like she is a keeper.

I am with trudy I reuse my six packs and any container that will hold soil.

I am a perennial collector. I moved all my plastic pots during the move last year. I have a big collection, six packs, 1" , 4 " 1 gallons 2 gallons.

My men folks said mom why do you want these old disposable pots? I think we should throw these away!

I said you best put all those pots on the truck!

I kept my pots!

[colorado]

I use anything that holds the soil too. I start in jiffy mix this year as what I can get and will repot in Walmart potting soil. I re-use things and I do wash them good. I made paper pots for the melons and squash . First time and will see how that works. I used bread sacks over my starting trays this year instead of plastic wrap. I saved up.

[mickee311]

Last year I bought 2 seed starting trays, so I will be using those as well as butter tubs, plastic cups I've burned holes in the bottom, pots I bought starter plants in last year and strawberry comtainers from the grocery. I reuse anything I can to save a buck with gardening...Supplies are so expensive, especially for things you can make easily at home!

[Pharmer Phil]

although we replace some seed cells yearly, we have more trays, cells, amd covers than we can use.
I believe in reusing the cells, we spray them off, store them, then fill the bathtub with warm water and a "hint" of bleach, wash and dry and go to planting.
as long as the container is suited to what your planting.
we use the plastic coffee cans for squash and pumpkins, they don't like being root bound, and will set smaller fruit if restricted.
margarine tubs for germinating some seeds...just phind a place to store yer treasures so no one knows yer Really a pack rat!!

[jokenmar]

PACK RAT??

ME??

I am so much like my Daddy! He never threw anything away that he thought might be usable "some day". I have learned from experience that if you throw something away, you will need it the next week, and have to go out and buy something to replace it.

I am blessed, tho, when it comes to containers. My sister-in-law has a nursery and is no longer open for business. She has thousands of containers of all sizes. So I just go for a visit when I need trays or pots.

[jeanette]

my kids have all these old aquariums, and one old beta fish..
i thought" these stupid things are just sitting around".. i had a fleeting flash of brain activity and decided to use them for little green houses.. works real good...

[superdv1]

I just thought of something yesterday that I am kicking myself for not realizing a lot earlier. You see, I have been having a heck of a time trying to get various things to germinate (mostly tomatoes, herbs, and especially peppers). My problem has been, the ultimate quest for the proper warmth for germinating. We started everything out in the basement, but it is a steady 60 to 70 down there, and things are germinating very slow, or not at all. Well, I walked upstairs, right past our 75 gallon fish aquarium which has to be a pretty warm temp for our fish (somewhere in the neighborhood of 75 to 85 degrees I think). Well, I just happened to have a little room right on top of the light/heater on top of the aquarium for about 20 to 30 small containers. What do ya think??

[Pharmer Phil]

I think you're using your bean !
we start everything in our basement too, average temp. 55°
However, we have no fancy heat mat, we...use a old electric blanket!
Monitoring the temp at the plant trays (near) bottom, we are able to maintain 75-78 degrees, Laura had the blanket all ready, so output for bottom heat=cost of electric!
I use to use a box the T.V. came in, with a 150 watt light beneath it...worked great, but only for a couple flats!
I liks the way Ya think superdv.

[jacobtowne]

Sounds like a good spot. In my experience, tomatoes and peppers germinate best at 85 degrees, which is exactly the temperature in the oven of my gas kitchen range. The pilot light warms it.

JT

[notherdigger]

Jokenmar, I like it every time I hear you speak. I too have a strong penchant for saving all the plant containers I have used in the past. It looks a little junky at times but is way cheaper than buying all the time. Also the comment by Phil about washing in bathtub with bleach is a great idea I never thought of. Thats why I have the phamily.

[Deleted]

If you buy a "ready made" cake at the local grocery store, the throw away plastic cake container makes an excellent mini greenhouse. I wash them (of course), use peat pots for the seeds and cover with the dome until the plants come up....

[Tonnymonk]

I use 6 packs from previous years and have used cheapo plastic pots. Whatever I have to put hte seeds in works for me!