What to grow seedlings in: the best options

In February, gardeners begin the season of growing seedlings. This means that in addition to seeds, they need containers for germination.

However, there are many options for such containers on the market, and it is not easy to navigate this choice. The experts of the "Yaskrava Klumba" publication decided to help with this. They told us about the main types of containers for seedlings, and their main advantages and disadvantages.

Boxes for seedlings

Usually, such boxes are made of plastic or wood, and some gardeners construct them themselves. If you want to make such a box out of wood, don't forget to cover it with foil so that it lets less moisture in, or place it on a pallet. Be sure that such a box has drainage holes to drain excess water, and the height of the walls is about 10 cm. The length and width do not really matter – you can choose according to your needs and capabilities.

Pros. Such containers are quite large, so you can grow a large number of plants in them at the same time. Also, the boxes are easy to carry and turn around to provide the seedlings with more sun, for example.

Cons. Seedlings in boxes need to be dived. And, for example, eggplants or peppers that have taproots react negatively to this procedure. If you keep the seedlings in boxes until they are planted in the ground, the roots can grow too much and become intertwined. Then it will be difficult to transplant the vegetables to the garden.

Trays and cassettes for seedlings

These are the same boxes but with cells for seedlings, in which you can grow one or two plants. There can be several or several dozen of them in one block. The most popular versions of trays and cassettes are about 5-6 cm wide and 7-10 cm high. Such containers can be made of polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride. The first material is less toxic. When buying, pay attention to the labeling.

Pros. Like boxes, trays, and cassettes are easy to transport and can be reused several times. With care, they can last up to 10 years. They are compact, take up minimal space, and are often sold with drainage holes. It is convenient to grow seedlings in them because each plant grows in its own cell.

Cons. Compactness is also a disadvantage, as the soil in such containers dries out quickly and requires more frequent watering. Also, the walls of the trays and cassettes are quite soft, so you need to handle them carefully so as not to crush or break them. When removing plants from the cells for transplanting into the open ground, it is difficult to keep the earthen lump intact.

Peat tablets and pots for seedlings

These are special disposable products made of compressed fine peat that replace plastic seedling pots by 100%. They hold their shape well, the substrate is immediately well nourished and the seedlings do not need to be removed from them before planting. A peat pot for seedlings usually has a diameter of 5 cm to 10 cm. But before use, such containers are placed in water to moisten and they increase in size.

Pros. Peat pots for seedlings can pass air and moisture. Even crops with a taproot system grown in this way do not need to be dived. They can be planted directly with the pot or tablet, which causes less stress for the plant.

Cons. Crops that do not grow well in peat cannot be grown in such containers. It is also important to take special care to keep the substrate from drying out. And such containers are quite expensive compared to other options.

Plastic pots for seedlings

This is a cheap, but not very reliable option. Therefore, it is better not to save on plastic pots for seedlings. But they can be purchased as a set. There are also options with pallets. Manufacturers also offer plastic pots of various shapes. Round ones are more convenient to fill with soil, while square ones take up less space on the windowsill.

Pros. If you choose the right size, you can grow any crop in a plastic pot. Thanks to the dense walls, plants in such containers are well protected from drying out and overheating. A standard pot for growing seedlings is cheap. And you can use it in a new way every year.

Cons. Transferring seedlings to a new place will take a lot of time because each plant will have to be moved separately. They also take up a lot of space.

Homemade containers for seedlings

Plastic dairy cups or small beverage bottles are good materials for seedling pots. You can use containers with a volume of up to 1 liter. You can even make containers for seedlings from a juice box or a cardboard sleeve from toilet paper. The main thing is not to forget about the drainage holes.

Pros. This is the cheapest option because it is made from household waste. Most of these containers are recyclable.

Cons. Such pots have the least aesthetic appearance. They take some time to make. And they are not suitable for all crops.

Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.