I've used these seed starting pellets in the past and didn't like them. It's been a few years, so I decided to try them again and compare them the my usual seed starting method.
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| Seed starting pellets |
The first thing that jumped out at me right away was the cost. These pellets are definitely not economical compared to a large bag of seed starting dirt.
Obviously, these are for convenience or someone who doesn't start a lot of seeds. I bought 72 pellets, which is the same number of plastic seed cells that fill the same tray.
Here are my thoughts...
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| Seed starting pellets in the tray |
What I like:
- Fun to watch grow
- Easy start up (don't have to fill cells with dirt)
- Only have to clean and disinfect the flat tray
- Less mess
- Not economical
- Mesh outside doesn't decompose (I was still finding them several years later)
- Hole too small for large seeds
- Harder to tag if you have multiple types of seeds in one flat, since there's nowhere to stick the plant marker
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| Filling seed start cells with dirt |
What I like:
- Reusable, just add dirt
- Economical
- Easy to mark small grouping of different types of seeds
What I don't like:
- More prep work to clean and disinfect the cells and the trays
There are two main things that keep me from switching to using the pellets. One is cost, and the other is the mesh outside that won't decompose.
The cost is the hardest for me to get past. I buy a big bag of dirt for my winter sowing containers and use the same dirt for my flats; buying pellets would be an added cost for me. As for the mesh outside of the pellets, I could peel those off right before planting, so that's not a deal breaker.
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| Sown seed flat trays |
What about you - do you love the convenience of the pellets, or are you a penny pincher like me? Did I miss any pros and cons?
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Last year was my first year using the pellets and I'm using them again this year. I'm frustrated to hear that the mesh doesn't decompose. YUCK! Thanks for the tip to remove it before planting.
ReplyDeleteI agree, not economical at all! The replacement pellets cost as much as the pellets with the tray that I purchased last year.
You're welcome. It's too bad that the refills cost as much as buying a whole new pre-filled tray, I'm bummed to hear that. I hate to think that people will just throw away the trays every year, not very eco friendly!
DeleteI've tried both methods (I did like the cells better) and actually settled on a soil blocker. It's like a tiny little press and makes blocks of soils to start seeds in. From there I usually put the larger ones (melons, squash, tomatoes) into their own little pots once they get big enough, and the smaller ones just go straight in the ground.
ReplyDeleteI just watched a youtube video about the seed blocker, looks cool! It's like the seed pellets but without the mesh. Does the soil start to fall apart after a few weeks of sitting in the seed flat?
DeleteI did the cells last year, but then I learned about making your own seed starting containers using toilet paper rolls. I basically cut the rolls in half, place them in a tray and fill with seed starting mix or potting soil. It's a lot cheaper than the pellets and it's reusing something we all have! I also do this when I'm wintersowing so the transplanting will be easier.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried the toilet paper rolls yet. You'll have to let me know how you like them. Great job on the reuse! The cardboard will make it easier to plant them, and it'll break down fast too.
DeleteI bought 3 sets of cell(multi pack) from Lowe's and it was very cheap last year- 5 or 6 bucks if I remember right! Also, I've seen individual cells this year, at Walmart, if you're interested. I think Linder's/Gertens nursery should carry them too, just individual pieces, cell or dome etc., and they're cheap too.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely hate pellets, they dry out so soon and are unmanageable, not to mention the cost! Ofcourse, it is very hard to rip out the mesh, unless you take scissors and cut them(without hurting the roots of the plants, yuck)
Thanks for the info. I scored a bunch at a garage sale a few years back for free, so I have enough to last me a while. I thought it was interesting that HD only carries the pellets now.
DeleteI agree about the pellets. I've been checking them daily to maintain the moisture. I think it'll get really annoying once I start to harden them off, then they'll need to be watered several times a day. Hopefully the mesh will come off easily. If not, I definitely won't use them again.
Good info, Amy. If I ever get around to starting plants from seed indoors I think go with the cells. You could almost just plant the seeds directly in the soil this year--it's getting so warm so fast! Happy Spring!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's so nice outside I'm feeling like I'm way behind on seed starting. I have to keep reminding myself it's only March and we could still get snow. It feels like June this week. I love it!
DeleteMmmm. I guess I was always the vegetable gardening is cheaper and the product is fresher type. As to dirt is was all home composted. The flower gardens were mostly perenials. Now, I do farmers markets, since the kids are grown up, and I'm converting lawn to to wildflower gardens. And the woods to the same... Nice blog here.
ReplyDeleteWow, you have enough produce to sell it at Farmer's Markets? Good for you! That must be a lot of work. Thanks for your nice comment about my blog.
DeleteAmy