Most seeds might be began in two-inch pots or comparable sized flat cells, after which repotted as much as a four-inch measurement if wanted earlier than transplanting into the backyard.
DIY Choices
If you’re taking a frugal or ecologically minded method to gardening, it’s possible you’ll be questioning if you should utilize DIY pots.
Some gardeners repurpose egg cartons, bathroom paper rolls, paper or plastic cups, or almost another shallow vessel that may maintain rising medium.
I attempted the DIY egg carton and bathroom paper roll strategies years in the past, and whereas this artistic reuse scores factors for the atmosphere, these aren’t my favourite starter container choices.
Cardboard egg cartons may fit for smaller begins, however most annuals will outgrow their shallow cells in a short time.
And the yr I attempted utilizing bathroom paper rolls as seed cups, they began falling aside nicely earlier than the seedlings have been able to transplant.
I can’t actually give a hearty advice to both of those choices.
I have efficiently used paper cups as a DIY-biodegradable possibility, however since studying these include a plastic coating, I received’t be going with this technique once more as I’m making an attempt to maintain microplastics out of my backyard soil.
You may get artistic and discover different containers to begin your seeds, however if you wish to hedge your bets, the best choice could also be to buy containers supposed for this goal.
Biodegradable Pots and Trays
You may additionally wish to contemplate commercially made biodegradable trays or pots.
Seedlings grown in these might be planted, container and all, instantly into your backyard soil, raised mattress, and even into a bigger container, with out disturbing the fragile roots of your seedlings.
So far as biodegradable choices go, I extremely advocate CowPots, a extra environmentally pleasant possibility than these constructed from peat moss.
CowPots are constructed from composted cow manure sourced from a Vermont dairy farm.
Not solely have they got a lightweight environmental footprint since they reuse waste materials, however after transplanting, they are going to nourish your vegetation as they break down.
CowPots #3 Six Cell Flat
You will discover six-celled CowPots flats in packs of assorted portions at Arbico Organics. Every cell within the flat is roughly three inches sq. by three inches deep.
These flats will also be reduce into particular person containers!
And similar to the biodegradable seed flats talked about above, CowPots are additionally accessible in bigger sizes for repotting.
CowPots #5 Sq.
You will discover sq. CowPots sized at 5.25 by 3.5 by 5 inches in packs of 60 or 192 at Arbico Organics.
In my arid local weather, these biodegradable varieties are a little bit tough to handle as they generally tend to dry out in a short time.