Spring Gardening Hacks: 10 Inexpensive (or Free!) Ways to Sprout Seeds at Home by Donna John

Gardening Home Activities
24 days ago

Spring Gardening Hacks: 10 Inexpensive (or Free!) Ways to Sprout Seeds at Home

Spring has sprung! Ready for gardening season? It's time to start sprouting those vegetablefruit, flower and herb seeds. If you don't want to spend the money for a seed starting kit or are confused about the best way to sprout seeds, here are 10 creative ways to do it – and some won't cost a dime.

1. Plastic Cups: When you plant seeds in plastic cups, you can see how the root system is developing. To remove the seedling, simply cut the side of the cup and gently remove.

2. Cardboard Boxes: We all get those cardboard boxes from Amazon, so instead of tossing them, fill them with dirt and sprout some seeds or use to hold the plastic cups.

3. Nursery Trays: When you purchase plants at the nursery, save the trays. They were made for holding plants, so your seeds will be right at home.

4. Egg Cartons and Egg Shells: Egg shells are the perfect seed starter because you can plant the entire thing in the ground, and it will break down and act as a fertilizer. And what better to hold the egg shells than the egg carton?

5. Paper Bowls: Those disposable paper bowls can hold quite a few seeds and can be cut to gently remove the seeds.

6. Plastic Soda Bottles: Here's a fun way to recycle those plastic soda bottles! Cut out an opening, fill with dirt and plant those seeds.

7. Plastic Produce Containers: After you've eaten those blueberries or strawberries, fill the plastic container with dirt and it becomes a cute seed starter container.

8. Plastic Milk Containers: Cut the side out of plastic milk jugs and use for seeds and plants.

9. Biodegradable Seed Starter Pots: Inexpensive, these pots are easy to use because you can plant the entire thing in the ground without having to remove the seedling.

10. Toilet Paper Tubes: Empty toilet paper rolls can easily be transformed into DIY biodegradable seed starter pots.

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Tribe
What a helpful guide, thanks!
bepositive
I want to do this with the kids. 🪴
Elisa Schmitz
I love the idea for upcycled and recycled containers, Donna John ! Brilliant suggestions, thanks.
Terry
Hi, Donna John . Love that you've provided me with some new ideas! However, I have a couple of suggestions. Plastic cups: Rather than cutting them to get the seedlings out, slide a butter knife gently around the inside of the cup, then tilt the cup until the entire plant and its dirt slide out . The cups can be rinsed to get rid of any remaining soil, then washed on the top rack of the dishwasher to sterilize them. They can then be reused. Multiple times. If you don't want to put them in your dishwasher, wash them, then rinse in a mild water/bleach solution, then again in hot water, which is the method I used when starting many, many plants on a rotation basis, for a friend. Re: egg shells. Remember to crack the bottom of the shell before planting - the tiny root system isn't strong enough to break through on its own. Have a blessed one!
Donna John
Great idea! Thanks for sharing. Love this time of the year when we can get back into our gardens.

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