These are homemade seed starting trays.
As I shared back here and here, I have a scrap wood pile that I’ve been working on in order to make it disappear or at least shrink considerably.
Over the course of the past few years,
we’ve been working on removing plastic from our lives.
This is no small feat as our society promotes quite the opposite (disposable)
as the norm.
We might never completely get there, but we do try.
as the norm.
We might never completely get there, but we do try.
This year I will be using eggshells for seed starting.
(They aren’t yet washed in the pix, but they will be.)
I’ve never tried this before but have always thought it clever
so will have to let you know how they work out.
For the trays, I began with a 1x2, made a frame with two sticks measuring 12” long and two sticks measuring 13 1/2” long in order to make it square.
I had a bit of hardware cloth so used that for the bottom of two of the frames.
I ran out of 1x2s so made my own from a short piece of 2x4 as well as some slats.
For one of the frames I used the slats, and
I am hoping to make a few more.
The ones with wire are lighter weight wise,
but the slats I am able to make virtually for free.
These are so easy and can be made to fit
whatever size seed starting pots you use.
If I wanted to “trap the water” I could place a plastic bag in the tray, but I’m hoping by watering carefully and watching, I won’t have to mop up mini-floods.
So far they are easy to stack and move~
Again, will let you know once full of plants.
If I can't be in the garden,
I suppose I can at least make something for it.
(They aren’t yet washed in the pix, but they will be.)
I’ve never tried this before but have always thought it clever
so will have to let you know how they work out.
For the trays, I began with a 1x2, made a frame with two sticks measuring 12” long and two sticks measuring 13 1/2” long in order to make it square.
I had a bit of hardware cloth so used that for the bottom of two of the frames.
I ran out of 1x2s so made my own from a short piece of 2x4 as well as some slats.
For one of the frames I used the slats, and
I am hoping to make a few more.
The ones with wire are lighter weight wise,
but the slats I am able to make virtually for free.
These are so easy and can be made to fit
whatever size seed starting pots you use.
If I wanted to “trap the water” I could place a plastic bag in the tray, but I’m hoping by watering carefully and watching, I won’t have to mop up mini-floods.
So far they are easy to stack and move~
Again, will let you know once full of plants.
If I can't be in the garden,
I suppose I can at least make something for it.
What a great idea Lady Locust. Let us know how it goes.
ReplyDeleteOnce I tried starting seeds in those cardboard egg cartons (without eggshells). They absorbed too much water and didn't work well. Using eggshells is a great idea.
Thank you Nil. I’ll wash the shells then poke a small hole in the bottom for drainage. I should have started saving shells sooner though 😊
DeleteI will be curious to know if these egg shells work out as seed starters. I have read many times about how you can start seedlings this way but I know no one that has tried it. Your little trays to hold the seed starters is clever. Pot on...
ReplyDeleteI will have to do an update- as you said, little info available as to the success. I did see some poked holes in the bottom and others didn’t. I can’t imagine no drainage would be good - but with drainage???
DeleteThanks for sharing this! I've been wanting to give this a try, but generally lose my motivation, get behind, and end up with the little coir pods. It seems using eggshells is SO much better---no plastic and more natural---plus what a great way to use up those eggshells! I hope you'll let us know the outcome! Also--I tried to comment, but google was being weird, so if two of my comments end up here--that's what happened. lol.
ReplyDeleteOnly one comment showed 😊. I will let you know. I figured the shells just go to compost anyways, might as well see if they can be useful.
DeleteHow cool! Those brown eggshells look so pretty! I look forward to seeing and hearing how it works out for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!
ReplyDeleteLauren
A few years ago when I wanted to try starting the plants indoors, I was planning on using eggs. Then my husband brought home a "growing starter kit" from Home Depot of, you guessed it, plastic! Plastic drives me crazy too. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
ReplyDelete