Garden Seed Starting Ideas: 10 Ways You Must Try
I have gathered 10 really great garden seed-starting ideas from the best of the best. These tried-and-true methods are perfect for beginners and experts alike!
Most of these ideas for starting garden seeds can be done on the cheap with things that you already have at home!
GARDEN SEED STARTING IDEAS
Growing things is something that a lot of us just love doing! If you are a gardener, if you think you might be one, or if you want to try your hand at gardening, then read on!
You can plant a backyard garden, a homestead garden, or simply plant veggies in pots and containers on your balcony, patio, or porch!
One of the great things about gardening is that you can be as involved as you want to be!
You can simply purchase potted plants at a nursery, buy starter seedling packs from your local market to repot at home, or start your own seeds.
Take a look at High Mowing Organic and Non-GMO Seeds to get off to a great start!
All of these ways are totally acceptable. The whole idea is to get you gardening with easy gardening tips!!!
Starting seeds at home is by far the least expensive way to get an early start on your garden. Plus, you can grow the exact variety of vegetable plants that you want.
Learn about ideas from citrus peels to paper towel tubes to DIY seed trays.
Repurposing is a great way to minimize and reuse things that you already have at home for seedling container ideas.
Make sure to have your starting soil mixture on hand, along with the very best non-GMO organic, easy-to-grow varieties, for the best chance of vigorous growth with the right supplies.
“The Gardening Season officially begins on January 1st and end on December 31st.”
Marie Huston
10 Garden Seed Starting Ideas
1. CITRUS PEELS AND RINDS ARE EXCELLENT SEED STARTERS…ALL NATURAL AND FREE!
Tutorial found at: Gardening Know How
This is such a fantastic idea for starting larger seedlings like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, zucchini, or cucumber seeds.
There is plenty of room for the seedlings to sprout and grow, plus the orange peel is totally biodegradable.
you may also find this information helpful
- Seeds Not Sprouting Properly? Do a Germination Test
- Easy Guide to Compost vs Top Soil, Garden Soil, & Loam
- How to Know When to Start Your Garden Seeds Indoors & Out
2. Eggshells: What a great way to repurpose eggshells and add calcium to your soil at the same time!
Tutorial found at Pallen Smith
If you use eggs, you may have thought about reusing the shells. Here’s a great idea: turn eggshells into small pots for starting seeds!
Starting seedlings in pots that can be planted directly in the ground is very useful. This way, the roots stay undisturbed during the move. Roots have tiny hairs called root hairs.
These root hairs are important because they help plants absorb moisture and nutrients. They also provide support to seedlings and other plants. Disturbing root hairs can harm plants during transplanting.
Eggshell pots solve this problem perfectly. Just remember to wash the inside of the shells before planting, and don’t forget to check the tutorial!
you may also enjoy:
3. Colorful Paper Milk Cartons work just great for creative herb gardens…….
Image credit & tutorial found at Boulder Locavore
What fun!!! Colorful paperboard milk cartons become herb planters or seedling starter containers.
Read more about turning recyclable milk cartons into useful and handy planters.
4. Egg Carton also work just great to begin seedlings indoors…….
Tutorial found at Kitchen Counter Chronicles.
Along with using eggshells for seed-starting containers, think about the paperboard egg cartons themselves. These, too, can be turned into transplantable seed pots.
They are convenient to use and totally biodegradable. The paperboard holds moisture and gives structure to the growing roots upon transplanting.
One thing to be aware of is organic certification. If you are a Certified Organic Grower, then make sure to double-check any regulations and/or restrictions on using this type of paperboard product for seed starting containers.
For the best gardening tips and ideas, take a look here: Best Gardening Tips!
5. Paper Board from t.p. rolls and paper towel rolls…..these are perfect biodegradable seed starter containers.
Image credit & tutorial found at My Stay at Home Adventure.
Everyone with a recycling mindset wonders how to reuse toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, and any type of cardboard or paperboard cylinders. Well, here you go!!!!
Read more about creating the perfect little recyclable seed-starting pots here.
You May Also Enjoy: Timeless Garden Quotes that Will Make You Smile!
6. Recycle and Reuse small cups and then Repurpose Clamshell Containers into Mini Greenhouses!!!
Tutorial found at the Premeditated Leftovers
Learn how to reuse plastic containers for starting seeds indoors and making small greenhouses from recycled clamshell containers. I always keep these containers because they are useful! I enjoy putting homemade sweets and treats in them and giving them to our kids.
7. Newspaper Pots
Tutorial found at the Adventures of Mel
Old newspapers make great seed-starting containers. Furthermore, they can be planted directly in your garden without disturbing the small roots. Learning to make these small paper pots correctly will help you plant faster and save money by recycling old newspapers!
8. Start Seeds in Recyclable 4, 6 or 8-packs from last year…
Tutorial found at Grow Lettuces and Greens
These plastic 4 pack and 6-pack containers make great reusable seed starters. Just make sure to rinse them out first.
If you are concerned about any type of plant disease, then wash with a mild Clorox solution to kill any disease, bacteria, or fungus. You want to give your plants the very best start this spring.
The Clorox solution mixture is 1 tablespoon per gallon of water. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes.
9. Pop bottles are a great recyclable container for starting seeds indoors…
Tutorial found at the Desperate Gardener
Here is a super clever way to reuse plastic bottles prior to recycling…make sure to look at this one!!!! Recyclable plastic bottles are perfect for DIY indoor seed containers.
10. Ice Cube Trays can be repurposed to make individual seed starting flats!!!
Tutorial found at Mr. Brown Thumb
Ice cube trays are great for starting seeds. They are strong and won’t bend or break. They work well for small seeds like lettuce, spinach, and greens.
Check out the tutorials to find the best seed-starting container for you, or try using different ones to see what works best!
11. And, finally……direct seeding into your garden!
- Know Your Planting Zone: learn about your planting zone to understand what plants grow best in your area.
- Watch Your Weather: keep an eye on the weather to protect your plants from extreme conditions.
- Prepare Your Garden Soil: get your garden soil ready by mixing in compost and nutrients.
- Plant Directly into Your Garden Beds: sow seeds or place plants directly in your garden beds for better growth.
Starting seeds indoors or in a greenhouse helps you begin spring planting early. If you live in a milder area, direct seeding is a great option.
Check out my How to Grow Series for growing information!
Also, Consider:
Planting cool weather crops in the spring and then again in mid-August for a fall harvest. And, if you simply need a nice beginning kit, take a look at: Basic Seed Starting Kit.
An then, Document Your Plans, Ideas, Designs & Progress:
Keeping a Garden Journal?can help you stay organized. I wish I had started one sooner as I had doodles and notes scattered everywhere with ideas, designs, and planting plans.
Don’t forget to record your hard work. You’ll enjoy looking back at your garden journal in January when the seed catalogs come!
Happy Gardening!
You May Also Enjoy:
Learn When to Start Your Seeds with this helpful post on USDA Garden Zones
- Shop Seed Collections
- Mulch for Garden Success
- Growing Lettuces and Greens
- Timeless Garden Quotes to Make You Smile
- Storing Your Carrots for Winter in the Refrigerator
- Use Eggshells in Your Garden
Thank you for sharing this seed starting idea blog post. We have had a wet and very hot summer and I am looking forward to replacing many of the plants that are struggling or distroyed. I am a big container planting gal and love the way you planted the seeds in rows! I am totally going to do this in my extra window box containers in the greenhouse dome. Happy Gardening
Thanks for writing ♥ Best to you in your Gardening Adventure!
This came at the perfect time since I’m starting my tomatoes this weekend. My kids are obsessed with that Only Up game so I’ve been stuck inside, but I’m stealing the egg carton idea to finally get my seeds going on the windowsill.
Honestly didn’t expect much from another post on this, but the this section surprised me. Well done.