Starting herbs and vegetables from seeds does not have to be complicated. In the simplest form, you need seeds, soil, a container, and water. And most people have come in contact with this simple and very natural process.
So why not keep it simple, you may ask? Well, as I see it, it comes down to results and available space. Let me explain.
A more plentiful harvest:
Adopting a few helpful tools will make your seed-starting process more efficient – and vastly more enjoyable.
When you grow herbs and vegetables for consumption, you want to get the most from every seed you plant. And this is where using the proper tools and equipment can help.
Maximizing available space:
As we grow more plants – because we always do – we realize that space becomes a factor.
You may live in an apartment or, like me, have a wife, sorry family, who fails to see the charm of keeping seed starter trays and seedlings scattered all over the house. Proper tools and equipment help get you organized.
What we use to start seeds and care for seedlings
Growing your own food is a fun and rewarding hobby and helps you save money in the long run. We have found that using the tools, equipment, and gadgets we list below helps us achieve better results while staying organized.
Seed starting trays
Ensure you get seed starting trays that will last you more than one season. It is not only about cost, we should also do our part by purchasing durable goods that can survive the handling associated with seed starting.
Avoid the flimsy, cheap, attractive-looking options that become fragile and break over time. And yes, I have bought more cheap seed starting trays than I would like to admit over the years.
Buying a seed starting tray with a heat mat is a good idea. But from my experience, the seed trays with built-in grow lights deliver low-intensity light, and you are better off buying a separate lighting fixture.
This seed starting kit ticks all the right boxes starting with a sturdier design that will last many seasons.
Transparent cells are a fun feature as it helps monitor root development. Also good that there are adjustable vents in the dome and that the kit can be used with a heart mat and grow lights.
Trust me; you will not regret buying a sturdy plant germination tray built to last.
- Thicker BPA-Free plastic makes it more durable
- Adjustable vents in the dome
- Transparent cells with drain holes
- Can be used with heat mat & grow llights
- You can find cheaper one-season alternatives
Nursery pots
Ideal for pot-ups and transplanting for both space management and plant health. Again, go with a sturdier plastic and ensure it is made from recycled, food safe, and UV-resistant plastic.
Recycled plastic is an environmentally sound choice when you buy durable products that will last you for many more seasons.
100 nursery pots may seem excessive, but you will most likely soon find a good use for them.
Great for seed starting, transplants, cuttings, and pot-ups.
- BPA Free Plastic
- UV-Resistant
- Non-Toxic and food safe
- Lightweight, washable and reusable
- Plastic is not sustainable resource
Deep nursery pots for seedlings
Tomato seedlings should be transplanted deep to let new roots develop along the stem. And for this task it is really helpful to have deep nursery pots at hand.
I like the soft but durable alternatives like the pots below, but I know that some gardeners feel that soft equals poor quality. I tend to disagree, and for me, these are a good option at a fair price.
Deep seedling nursery pots are perfect for seedlings that should be planted deep, like tomatoes. The pots are 7.8" inches / 20 cm deep and suitable for fruits and vegetables.
Now, these pots are sturdy but soft in so much that they can be folded when empty. Still, they are solid and rigid when filled with soil.
- Perfect for transplanting tomato seedlings deeper
- Drain holes in the bottom and on the side of the bottom
- Soft for easy storage
- Not for seedlings that are replanted at the same soil level
- Soft plastic can put some off
Repotting mat to keep things tidy
If you also work indoors for large parts of the year, this repotting mat can help.
Finding space to work can be challenging when we need to report plants or seedlings indoors. Covering kitchen tables with cloths or cardboard works, but as you know, it still gets messy.
Having a repotting mat is a true lifesaver; if you ask me, bigger is better.
Repotting is a messy business and this repotting mat turns every surface or table in your home into a repotting surface.
Choose the size mat that fits you best and who does not love a Lifetime Warranty?
- Keeps soil and mess confined
- Waterproof, stain resistant, and reusable
- Lifetime Warranty
- 3 different sizes
- Nice but not necessary
Heat mats
You do not need a heat mat to start plants from seeds. But it is an affordable “luxury” when starting, for example, hot peppers and other plants that are slow to germinate. Heat mats with thermostats are even handier as they do give you more control.
But again, not necessary, but for many of us an affordable luxury to be used for those plants we love the most.
For successful germination, you want to maintain a constant soil temperature of 68-86℉ (20-30℃). And this heat mat can help you find that constant temperature.
Great for all seeds but especially for hot pepper like Scotch Bonnet, Bhut Jolokia, and Habaneros.
The alternative model with a thermostat is a bit more expensive but hard to resist when you get into "germination mode".
- Helps maintain sweet spot temperature for germination
- Durable, built to last
- Good size and fits most seed trays
- This model has no thermostat (see alternative)
Full spectrum grow lights
Grow lights are great, and anyone who says otherwise is not being entirely truthful. But whether they are indispensable is another question.
If you live in a climate with full sun year-round, your window sill will do an excellent job for you. But for me, growing year-round in a four-season climate and starting seeds indoors – grow lights are necessary.
If you are not convinced, keep doing what you are doing, or try one of the many entry-level grow lights available at a reasonable price. Below you can find three options at different price points.
Great starter model for all you home gardeners who are not yet convinced that grow lights are that important.
Full spectrum light, fully adjustable, and a timer function make it a good alternative.
- Great way to start at a reasonable cost
- Full spectrum light
- Built-in timer function
- Adjustable (360 degrees)
- You will need more lights - trust me
Full spectrum LED grow light with stand. Easy to assemble and adjust as the seedlings grow.
Not the sturdiest of stands, but it works and stays put without any problems.
Stand will go all the way down and can be used for seed germination, seedlings, and plants.
- Stand is easy to assemble and adjust
- Full spectrum grow light
- Energy efficient lights
- Long-lasting LED lights but cannot be replaced
- No timer function
This is a professional-grade setup with six T8 grow lights and 3 shelves for germination trays, seedlings, pots, and plants.
Easy no-tools required assembly and an on the whole really good alternative.
I am only missing a timer for a perfect score.
- Professional grade solution
- 6 x T8 Grow Lights!
- Shelves are adjustable in 1-inch increments
- Mobile design with wheels
- A timer function would be nice
