My FAVORITE seed-starting gear
My FAVORITE seed-starting gear
Sharing some of my long-time favorite seed-starting gear.
Soil block info: https://www.theimpatientgardener.com/how-to-start-seeds-in-soil-blocks/
——————— T R AY S ———————-
○ Charles Dowding 60-cell tray: https://bit.ly/CD60tray
○ 40-cell durable tray: https://bit.ly/40celltray
○ Green bottom watering tray: https://bit.ly/greenbottom
○ Small seed tray: https://bit.ly/smallseedtray
○ Even smaller seed tray (not shown): https://bit.ly/smallerseedtray
○ Standard seed tray (sub for the square one I show): https://bit.ly/standardtray
○ Maxi root-trainer: https://amzn.to/41L9ofd
○ Giant tray: https://bit.ly/gianttray
○ Heavy duty 1020 bottom tray: https://bit.ly/1020bottomtrayHD
——————— CELLS & DOMES ———————
○ Epic 4-cells (use code IMPATIENTGARDENER for 5% off): https://bit.ly/Epic4cell
○ Tall humidity dome: https://bit.ly/talldome
○ Short humidity domes: https://bit.ly/shortdome
○ Biodome growing system (use IMPATIENTGARDENER15 for 15% off): https://bit.ly/biodome60
—————— HEAT MAT ————————
○ 4’ 4-tray heat mat: https://amzn.to/3kxeQS1
○ 2-tray heat mat: https://amzn.to/3ZngrIK
———————- GROW LIGHT ———————
○ My favorite grow light: https://bit.ly/LEDT5growlight
————————- OTHER GEAR ———————
○ My soil tray: https://bit.ly/solitray
○ Another soil tray: https://amzn.to/41B4r8D
○ Concrete mixing tray: https://bit.ly/3kDesl2
○ Soil scoop (aka 50-ounce ice scoop): https://amzn.to/3KJo7Rq
○ My favorite timer: https://amzn.to/3Y9huLv
○ Wire shelving unit: https://amzn.to/3SyrrRz
○ Mylar reflective film (to wrap shelving unit): https://amzn.to/3ZqyhdP
My name is Erin and I love sharing inspiration and information with real-life gardeners. I live and garden in southeastern Wisconsin, zone 5b.
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🌿 My favorite potting soil (Organic Mechanics peat-free Container blend): https://bit.ly/containerblend
🌿 My favorite soil amendment: https://bit.ly/biocharblend
🌿 Garden products I buy on repeat: https://liketk.it/3FIyl
Some affiliate links may appear. I may make a small commission if you purchase through these links. Thanks for your support. You can see all my favorite products on my Amazon storefront at https://www.amazon.com/shop/impatientgardener
Music in my videos from: http://bit.ly/39wBm5f
Mail to:
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P.O. Box 99
Belgium, WI 53004
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Port Washington, WI 53074
thank you!
LOL! What’s your beef with MG seed starting soil? It’s all we use, and we’ve had excellent results with it. In my rural area, it’s about all we have, though.
So very helpful and encouraging!! I have both excitement AND anxiety leading up to seed starting. This will be my second year. Last year I’m guessing I had about 80% germination with six 1020 trays. I confess that I let some things get leggy before they were transplanted outside. I’m learning so much from you! Thanks for being here for us🤗
I love the Park seed system! Everything germinates on this thing and is super healthy….I’m sold on it! 🌱
how do you feel about silicone or stainless-steel gear?
I love growing from seed. Appreciate the links. I too like heavier duty things to re-use and some of these look like great options. I have a love/hate relationship with timers so may give this one a try. Thanks as always.
For my sweet peas and ornamental grasses I bought small but deep fabric bags. Cut away and or biodegradable
I love to hear what you and other gardeners like to use. Couldn’t agree more – start small and see if you like it before investing. Then increase your investment as you go on. One thing I would say was a game changer for me was the 8 outlet surge protector, 4 on timers that you showed. I only have two outlets available to me in the basement. Currently using 9 plugs plus another for my phone.
One thing I’ve thought about a lot is travel during seed starting season. We have a cottage we like to go to for 7-10 days at a time. With timers and self watering seed trays, you can go away for that length of time,except when seedlings are on the heat mat or new babies have just gone under the lights and need more attention. They are expensive, I put together my own for a lot less$$.
AC infinity propagation kit and there seedling bags for transplants I’d my new go to.
Very Helpful!
Erin, check out BOOTSTRAP FARMER
They also have heavy duty seed starting equipment in colors!
Cough cough….miracle grow
😂😂😂
Coco Coir is the best way to start seeds imho..
I appreciate your down to earth “this is what I think” mentality. Thank you for your honesty. It’s like asking a friend. It’s what we really need to know as new or “growing” gardeners. 😁
This was great! I was looking for smaller trays that fit under my grow lights that don’t take up so much real estate. I can only fit 2 10×20’s under my grow lights at a time. I purchased the 60 cell and 40 cell trays…now I can get 5 trays across. Bonus on the durability. On an older Vlog you mentioned clip on fans…I remember when you did they SOLD OUT on Amazon…anyway, my basement is very warm, so the clip on fans for me are a must. As always, great content, very informative and helpful.
No to Miracle Grow potting soil. How about Scott’s?
Ditto Denise Wood: "Your inspiration is killing me!" I too think it should be on a t-shirt. I am not a seed person at all. I have less patience than you do when it comes to seed starting. I really like that timer and the dirt tray. I do alot of container planting and enjoy putting the dirt into a tray and mine is falling apart. I will be looking into that, plus the timer. That is great having those options on one device! As usual, loved it!
Thank you for your down to earth straightness on your product use.
Your style of gardening has been mine also. An when i saw your center piece of stock water feature wow.
Mine has a trickling old hand pump, giving us just enough sound to please the heart ❤
I’ve started seeds for years but still loved this video. You’re down to earth personality shines. I like seeing products that people find helpful and the why behind that. I purchased those root trainers last year because of your suggestion and they worked great for my sweet peas and a few other veggies. I’ve really considered soil blocking because it seems so ‘superior’ but it looks like too much effort for me.
This is a fantastic post!
I have been growing from seed for 40 years and have a greenhouse and lots of great equipment. But I am so excited by the huge tray you showed and I need a few of those! Of I go to make an order!
I’ve seen some add a fine layer of vermiculite on top of starting mix to maintain moisture. Is this something you do, recommend? 🙏🏻
I’m not falling for the soil block method… it seems to be the rage this year for some reason 🤷🏼♀️. Trays have worked for me all these years , sticking with the tried and true . Happy Gardening 👩🌾
Great channel! I became obsessed with the idea of growing from seed, varieties of Coleus not available in my area. While I dreamed of becoming that go to gal who has everything Coleus, I got caught up in the time, tools and trends used for success in this ‘easy to grow’ plant. I actually took the joy out of gardening and became a serial Coleus killer 😐 Meanwhile, my other plants that were given the tried and true method I’ve always used are becoming their own jungle 😝
Have you tried soil blocks?
That Biodome from Park Seeds is great! As you said, germination rate woth that is very good. I also agree that investong in QUALITY trays is worth it, once someone decides that seed starting is hiw they want to proceed with gardening.
I love it! It’s funny how much gear/supplies I "need" now compared to when I first got into starting seeds.
I have that Timer since 2019. Worth every penny.
Weird question, but how did you attach the Mylar to your shelves? We just got some and are trying to figure out how to do it
Love this video! I struggled with seedlings dying from dampening off but one thing that has helped me was capillary mats. Made it basically automatic watering!
Great video, love and appreciate all this helpful information. Love your channel
I wish I could shadow you and pick your brain for just one day. I could learn so much! 🌱💚
YOU are so right, I tried last spring to start my own seedlings and I FAILED. The only thing I was able to transplant out were my gourds, growing to make bird nests this year. I won’t waste my time or money again. But I did bring my pepper plants inside to overwinter, and they are growing beautifully.
Thanks for the great review. Does the active grow light fit within the standard wire racks? I currently have individual 4’ led lights and they are infuriatingly slightly longer than the wire racks and don’t fit nicely
After several years of being frustrated by flimsy seed trays that end up breaking or dumping out during the hardening off process I broke down and bought seed trays from Bootstrap farmer and what a game changer! I absolutely love them. Who knew you could love a seed try system so much! 😂 worth every penny!
Thank you! This was very helpful!
I love the Wine & Weeds videos. I’m thinking Wine & Working in the Garden .
Great video thanks for showing us the tried & true products. I don’t have patience when it comes to seed starting and this stuff works .
Question, what is your opinion of reusing seed mix where nothing germinated. Should you heat the mix in the oven to kill anything in it from prior use. Or should you not use it at all.
Great video! You are absolutely right. You don’t need all that stuff to start seeds. You can start on the cheap. I reuse containers from the store to start my seeds. I keep most of them when I purchase plants. They work just fine. I don’t do much seed starting. I don’t have the patience or time for that. I use my sunroom keep the trays in till the germinate and so far so good. As for trays to hold the little cells in I use shoe trays that I got for $5. I mix my soil in the wheel barrel. I hate spending money for stuff. My local Lowes will give you for free these containers that people bring back to recycle. Start on the cheap. I use the 3-4” pots for seeds. I just plant more seeds in them and separate later. I use everything available. Enjoy your day and happy seeding!🌷🌷
I’m new to seed starting this year so your video has some helpful tips. And the shot of your grow racks reminds me I should lower the lamp 🙄😂 We have heated floors in our house instead of forced air vents and that worked really well for germinating seeds (winter radish took 3 days and my other vegetables will be ready a few days after that).
I’m starting seeds very soon. I have my labels made and my milk jugs prepped. I don’t have room indoors for seed starting and choose not to invest in all the necessary tools. My milk jugs were free, $30+ on seeds from Baker Creek, plant tags purchased last season on clearance for pennies, label maker from my stash, purchased a block of promix from Wally World. It worked for me last year and was so much fun. I’m scaling it back for 2023. Thanks for all the content you provide! I always learn something from your videos. Greetings from 7bNC 🌱🌷🌼
This was so helpful! I am wanting to start some seeds for the first time. Once the seeds germinate do they have to be in a heated area? The only room I have is indoors but not heated. Wondering if an unheated room would ruin them? Or should I keep them on a heat mat past germination? I’m in PNW so night temps are around 35-40 outside.
First time doing it this year. I’m using empty drinking water bottles cut in half. Bottom half has holes and the top is used as a way to hold humidity and let the seeds sprout. I’m in zone 7b. I didn’t want to make a huge investment and it’s been working to far lol.
I really like your surge protector with the 2 settings. I’m gonna get one. Thanks! 🙂
A soil bin tray is nice, but you can also use a large (for the 20" roller) paint roller tray.
Best intro to seed starting explanation ever! It defintely isn’t for everyone
I agree that the light is a necessity. Thanks for the link for the sturdy trays and domes. Mine can’t be picked up with one hand (Burpee) and the one that is sturdy didn’t come with a dome(again-Burpee). Great advice 😊
I add homemade dividers to tall milk cartons to germinate sweet peas and other viney plants. Has worked well for me.
A truly solid video! Said damn when you pulled out the big tray. 👍
My first year sowing seeds indoors in 10 years. I am so overwhelmed.
I’ve tried sowing seeds in winter before and absolutely failed.
I can’t keep the cells/ soil watered without soaking trays by accident or everything dried out.
Ugh. I have all the equipment for 2 years now STILL in BOXES!
However, I’m trying again because my yard is so much later and I can’t buy the quantity of plants I need to fill 1 acre.
Wish me luck. I’m terrified already. 😮😮😮😂😂😂😂