Budget-Friendly Seed Starting: Grow More for Less!

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True old-fashioned seed starting!

Hey friends! Today, let’s talk about seed starting on a budget. There are tons of seed-starting videos and articles out there and many will have you buying all sorts of stuff you really don’t need!

I want to show you how to do it at almost no cost. Many people feel intimidated by seed starting, unsure of where to begin, so I’m here to simplify the process and make it as cost-friendly as possible.

I learned gardening from my grandparents, who grew their own food out of necessity during the Great Depression. Their methods were practical, using what was available rather than buying expensive gardening products. You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment—just a few basics, many of which you can recycle!

This differs from Winter Sowing, which is also a great budget-friendly way to start seeds!

Budget-Friendly Seed Starting Basics

Containers: Free and Recycled

You don’t need to buy special seed-starting trays. Instead, use recycled containers such as:

• Salad containers (the lids work as humidity domes!)
• Solo cups
• McDonald’s drink cups
• Yogurt tubs or sour cream containers
• Milk jugs

To create drainage holes, heat up a skewer, screwdriver, or old knife and carefully poke holes in the bottom. Or simply use a utility knife. (the hot tools work safer for me but use what you feel comfy with)

Soil: No Need for Expensive Seed Starting Mix

Many recommend seed-starting mix, but it’s not necessary. Potting soil works just as well—sometimes even better! Many seed-starting mixes contain mostly peat moss, which can become hydrophobic (repelling water). A good-quality potting soil, preferably organic, will work fine.

You may want to loosen it up a bit with perlite but other than that, you are good to go.

Trays for Bottom Watering

Instead of buying seed trays, use what you have at home:

• Old baking trays
• Plastic takeout containers
• Metal tubs

Bottom watering prevents disturbing the seeds while keeping the soil evenly moist.

Planting Your Seeds

1. Fill your chosen container with 2-3 inches of potting soil.
2. Space seeds about 1-2 inches apart to give them room to grow and easier to transplant.
3. Cover seeds with a light layer of soil or vermiculite, depending on their light requirements. Some seeds you do not cover. Read the seed packets.
4. Press everything down gently to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.
5. Place the container in a tray of water and allow it to absorb moisture from the bottom. Tepid or warm water works the fastest.

Light & Temperature

• You don’t need grow lights! Start your seeds in a sunny windowsill after the Spring Equinox when daylight lasts 12+ hours.
• Room temperature should be between 65-75°F for optimal germination.
• Heat mats are optional. They speed up germination but aren’t necessary. Without one, seedlings will still catch up in a few weeks.

Fertilizing Seedlings

• If using regular potting soil with synthetic fertilizer, you don’t need to fertilize early on.
• If using organic soil, start fertilizing once the seedlings develop their second set of true leaves.
• I prefer a liquid organic fertilizer diluted to half to a quarter strength and applied weekly.

Affordable Seed Options

• Dollar Tree seeds are 4 packs for $1.25 and work beautifully!
• Seed industry regulations ensure even budget seeds meet germination standards.
• To boost success, plant extra seeds to account for any that may not sprout.

How Much Does Budget Seed Starting Cost?

• Containers: Free (recycled materials)
• Potting soil: $5-$8
• Vermiculite (optional): $8
• Seeds: $2.50 for 8 packs (Dollar Tree or Dollar General, you will pay more from other resources but it can still be budget friendly)
• Garden Markers: Free (cut from yogurt, sour cream or cottage cheese tubs or repurpose plastic cutlery knives)
• Fertilizer (optional): $15 for a liquid organic option

Total Cost: Around $20! For just a small investment, you can start a thriving garden and test if seed starting is right for you before spending on additional supplies.

Final Thoughts on Budget-Friendly Seed Starting

Seed starting is not only cost-effective but also rewarding! You don’t need expensive equipment to be successful. By using recycled containers, potting soil instead of specialty mixes, and budget-friendly seeds, you can grow a beautiful garden affordably.

Give it a try, and let me know how it goes. Happy gardening!

Click here to see how I start seeds indoors with lights and other stuff!

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There are many choices of seed starting pots for a home gardener and each has its pros and cons. Let’s take a look at our six best options!

I love, Love, LOVE starting my own seeds! First of all, because I am cheating and getting a jump start on spring, getting the chance to stick my hands in the dirt after only a couple of months’ hiatus. Also, I know that I’m doing something that is frugal and organic, which is a great feeling!

I mean, you can grow a tomato as organically as you want once you get it home from the nursery’s greenhouse. However, let’s be honest, do you really think they give a hoot and a half about organics? Well, maybe they do in your neck of the woods, but around here “organic” is something all those hippies on the west coast dabble in. We’re practical here in the midwest (and “feeding the world” don’t you know? Pf!)

So, I played around with starting seeds for a few years now. However, once I realized that onion seeds need to be sown as early as January, I got serious about my new winter hobby. Do you really mean I only need to skip November & December in my gardening calendar?! It was music to my ears! (Being such the addict that I am regarding gardening and all).

Seed Starting Pots: PROS & CONS

So, over the years, I’ve tried most of the ways that backyard gardener starts their seeds. Here’s the rundown of what I learned are the pros & cons of seed starting pots. Beforehand, I want to assure you that you should always take into consideration your garden’s needs and your own. My favorite seed starting pot may be or may be not yours too.

That’s totally normal and fine! You should just find your own!

1. Egg Cartons As Seed Starting Pots

Cardboard egg cartons can be used to start a dozen seedlings, and then cut apart to plant each one when it’s time to plant them in the garden. As with newspaper seedling pots, there’s no need to remove the plants from the pots before planting, as the cardboard will break down in the soil as the plant grows.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit cheap seed starting trays.

Pros

• Economical;
• Readily Available.

Cons

• Size Limiting;
• Difficult to maintain even moisture levels;
• If it gets too wet, it could rip.

2. Newspaper Pots As Seed Starting Pots

As I already said, this way of starting seeds is a lot easier than others, as there’s no need to remove the plants from the pots before planting. The cardboard will break down in the soil as the plant grows. Also, you can learn how to make newspaper pots in an easy and fun way on this website.

Pros

• Economical;
• Readily Available;
• Can decompose if planted in the ground;
• Environmentally Friendly.

Cons

• Time-consuming to prepare especially if you’ll be doing a large number of pots;
• Don’t wear white while making them. No seriously, you’ll ruin it.
• Easily rips if saturated;
• Susceptible to molding- Mine got quite slimy.

3. Cardboard Tubes As Seed Starting Pots

Next is this easy and environmentally friendly way of starting seeds. Moreover, here we have a fun tutorial too on learning how to make Cardboard Tubes into seed cups.

Pros

• Economical;
• Readily Available;
• Environmentally Friendly.

Cons

• Don’t quickly decompose in the ground- I suggest at least ripping them open prior to planting so those little roots can get out.
• Can rip if saturated during watering.

4. Peat Pots As Seed Starting Pots

In effect of the higher price, these pots can be shuffled and moved around and are still environmentally friendly. However, they have to be bought. So, if you are interested in this way of starting your seeds, you can buy Peat Seed Starting Pots on Amazon at a budget-friendly price.

Pros

• Environmentally Friendly;
• Can be planted in the ground and decomposed;
• Can be shuffled and moved around if allowed to dry out a little first.

Cons

• More expensive;
• Can rip if oversaturated;
• Can be susceptible to molding;
• Wicks away moisture from the soil so you have to water more often.

5. Plastic Seed Starting Pots As Seed Starting Pots

You can purchase plastic seed starting supplies on Amazon. In addition, plastic cups work great too and they can also be free if you collect them from parties or fellowship meals.

Also, if you’ll be using a self-watering tray, be sure to poke a few holes in the bottom first. No matter how I start them, I transplant tomatoes up into plastic cups because they’re so tall and narrow. I bury the whole stem right on up to the bottom of the first true leaves and a beautiful root system will establish itself by the time it’s ready to go into the ground.

Pros

• Can be inexpensive, especially if salvaged;
• Reusable and with careful handling can be saved from one year to the next.

Cons

• More expensive;
• Can rip or get a hole.

6. Soil Blockers As Seed Starting Pots

If you need one at a fair price, you can buy a soil blocker on Amazon anytime. Even though I’ve never tried seed starting plugs like those on Amazon, the advantages and disadvantages are about the same with the exception of price.

Pros

• One-time investment;
• Easy to use, and quick to make once you get into a groove;
• No containers to break;
• Environmentally friendly;
• No root shock;
• Roots don’t get bound;
• Works great with homemade potting soil mix.

Cons

• Expensive initially;
• If you need to shuffle your seeds into different trays it can be tricky to keep them from breaking if they’re loosely made or wet.
• You’re limited to size. If you want to upsize using to a larger one, you’ll need to purchase multiple sizes. Not all plants need a large block of soil so you might need to buy a second one to accommodate those needs.
• If your seeds don’t germinate, your soil is stuck. There’s no adding it back in to be made into another one. It’s just wasted space.

Final Thoughts

Finally, what are the best seed starting pots? Well, as I said before, it really depends.

Honestly, I don’t see myself ever making newspaper pots or ones from cardboard tubes again. It wasn’t worth the upfront time investment for the advantage of using “free” materials. So, if I’m pressed for time, I’ll probably reach for a plastic pot or maybe a Jiffy pot. It will irritate me come planting time that I’ve used the Jiffy pots, but that’s trouble for another day.

Ideally, if I have the time, I’m going to go with the soil blockers. Because I believe that in the end, a soil blocker produces a pot that is the best for the seedlings and the most user-friendly for the gardener. However, these are my thoughts and personal preferences.

Therefore, look within yourself and at your garden’s needs and decide for yourself. Which are your favorite pots for starting your seeds? However, when you find the answer, do not hesitate to share it with us in the comment section!

Last update on -07-21 at 07:09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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