indoor seed starting containers/tops

[tashak]

I fished one of those transparent clamshells for apples with individual dome for each apple out of a library wastepaper basket, thinking it might do for domes for seed starting cups.

Has anyone else used something like this? How did it work? I've got high hopes, and am itching to start some seeds at the end of this month and next.

[flowerpower]

When you use anything with a lid, don't keep it closed all the time. It needs air circulation and an outlet for moisture (condensation)

I take some 2 in pots and put them in clear produce bags. It makes a little greenhouse too. I put them right in a South window. I have had good results doing it like this.

[Pharmerphil]

It will work fine, venting is needed, I purchase unused 'broaster chicken' boxes from walmart, they are black, have a dome lid PLUS vent holes already in the Lid!
I was just recycling...but my apetite waned for store bought chicken!

[GreenZone]

My very favorite is the (usually) blue mushroom tubs. They are usually styrofoam and just the right size. First runner up is the little yogurt tubs. I make ample drainage holes in either one, of course.
-Randel

[Okie]

LOL! We use anything that will hold dirt and is free. Nothing works like dumpster diving for excercise :D !

[Desert Girl]

I tried butter tubs this year that I drilled a few holes into the bottom on my drill press.

[tashak]

What do you all use for undertrays for seedstarting in your yoghurt cups, blue mushroom containers, etc.?
I've been using those big styrofoam yellow or white chicken or meat deep trays (large quantity purchase/value pack), but really have to rinse them well with diluted bleach so dog isn't overly tempted to grab and chew them.
Usually use low cut cardboard box or plastic dishpan type container for carrying the seedlings outside for hardening off. (Wish it were time to start stuff now!)

[redbrick]

I stockpile the large clear pastry or sub clamshell packages and white plastic hamburger tubs. Not to mention roasted chicken domes, everybody's rescued bedding plant pots from last year, salvaged sixpack cells.... Um, I think maybe I've lost it just a bit! LOL!

[lovetogarden]

I use rubbermaid drawer organizers to hold my yogurt cups full of soil. Each organizer holds five cups. And the organizers snap together to provide more support.

[GreenZone]

I don't need undertrays when I grow in the coldframe or greenhouse. If I grow indoors, I use whatever's handy including meat trays etc. Also I watch for old cookie sheets, etc at swap meets or garage sales.

[Nimrod]

I use the little wax paper milk cartons that they serve to kids at the schools. I open them up and warsh them real well and air dry... I put a few drain holes in them as well. and when planting time comes around I simply cut out most of the bottom of the milk carton and place it in the ground where I want it... I leave some of the carboard sticking up from the ground,, somehow I believe it keeps some insects from heading to your plants,, but I am probably fooling myself on this one.. But as a custodian I get many of these cartons right out of the trash.. Try getting with a local school or nutrition center if looking for some small milk cartons.....

[BlackbearryGardens]

Last year I bought coffee cakes...and realized what perfect miniature greenhouses they come in. It was one of the small plastic clear rectangle food containers and the cake was in a rectangle aluminum pan. It worked great for my petunias. I used the jiffy pots that swell when you get them wet. I think it held 12.

[Marty Maraschino]

No one has mentioned cottage cheese containers. My mom and dad eat about one of those a week so by spring they usually have a stockpile for me. YEAH!!!! I use saran on the top of them as well as the store brand yogurt cups and I believe it's the dannon yogurts that have a clear lid already in place. SWEET!

[elentari8]

I've been using paper egg cartons. They work like peat pots. I leave them attatched in their dozen and cut them apart when i'm ready to plant. The styrofoam ones are ok, but I try not to use them since I can't plant in them.

[robinredchick]

I bought some of the seed starter trays with the little peat pellets to start with. (I have also used the foil roasting pans with the clear lids.)Then I have saved them to reuse and instead of buying peat pellets year after year I save toiletpaper and paper towel cardboards and cut them to size and fill with peat. then as the plants grow I just replant in larger and larger newspaper cups I make til I plant outdoors.
That way I don't have to disturb the roots in transplanting.
Works like a charm.

[randycarter]

The plastic salad take out containers with the clear plastic lids work well. Just put a few holes in them for air.

[GardenChic]

Well, I guess I am the prissy one here when it comes to seed starting! I use the Jiffy 72-cell flats with the clear plastic cover and 72 peat moss cells that puff up when you add water. The containers are reusable, and there are refills available. The cost was not bad at all, especially when using coupons. I just went to HD or LW and used my $5 off $25 :)

[randycarter]

I am going to try homemade containers from rolled newspaper this year.