The Best Seed Trays in 2024 | Garden Gate Reviews

Buying Guide: Seed Trays

Seed trays make the process of growing seedlings a whole lot easier. Although it may seem like a simple task to buy a few little seed-starting pots, you will soon discover that there are many different types to choose from. Buying the best-suited seed trays for your seedlings will ensure they grow healthily and quickly. In this guide, we outline everything you need to consider when choosing the best seed trays to start your dream garden.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from MARSHINE.

Advantages of Using Seed Trays

1. Using a variety of containers to start germinating seeds can be messy, labor-intensive, and take up a lot of space. Seed trays hold neat rows of seedlings together, making them quick to plant and easy to move
2. Evenly watering or heating the soil of different seed containers can be time-consuming, while compact seed trays make the process of evenly watering and heating the seeds fast and simple
3. Drainage holes at the bottom of seed trays with individual cells help to maintain better soil moisture levels, as excess water drains out. At the same time, these trays use a base tray to catch excess water and allow the germination of seeds by gradually soaking them from underneath   
4. Using seed starting trays makes it easy to move whole groups of seedlings at once instead of individually having to move each pot. Whether you need to move your seedlings outdoors or under grow lights indoors, you can easily move 50 or more plants at once

Factors To Consider When Choosing Seed Trays

Seed tray size

Some seed trays with cells can hold up to 70 seedlings while others have only 6 cells. The size you choose will depend on what you are planting, where you are keeping your plants, and how many seedlings you plan to work with. If you have a small greenhouse with plenty of space for your seedlings, a big tray is a good idea. If you want to keep your seedlings on the windowsill in your home, opt for a smaller tray.

Seed tray materials and construction

Seed starting trays are either made of plastic, which is reusable or they are made from a biodegradable material such as peat which is generally not used more than once. 

Both types of trays work well to grow seedlings. The tray material you choose may depend on a few different factors.

Plastic trays

If you are an avid gardener and use trays every season, it will be more cost-effective to get reusable trays. The thicker the tray, the more durable it is, however, it is also harder to remove the seedlings from a plastic tray for transplanting.

If you are reusing your trays keep in mind that you will need to clean them and have some storage space to keep them where they won’t get damaged.

Organic veggie gardeners should opt for BPA-free polypropylene plastic seed trays that will not leach chemicals into the planting soil.

Some plastic trays are very thin and intended for one or two uses only. As they are thin, they are easy to manipulate, allowing you to remove the seedlings from the tray without much effort. However, in doing this, you will also likely break them. These types of trays are generally meant to be thrown away after the first or second use, which might not bother you since they are inexpensive. However, plastic waste is not great for the environment.

Biodegradable trays

Biodegradable trays cost more, but they offer many benefits when it comes to the health of your seedlings and the environment. When your seedlings are ready to be transplanted outdoors in your garden, there is no need to remove them from the pots. Simply place the whole pot with the plant in the soil. The pot will break down naturally over time and the roots will spread into the ground. This prevents any transplant shock, stem damage, and root disturbance during the replanting stage. It also makes the entire process less messy and much quicker.

Seed Tray Accessories

Check whether your seed tray purchase includes any of these items. You can choose a kit that includes all the extra items or buy what you need separately.

Dome lid

Some seed trays come with a dome lid. This clear plastic lid allows you to control the temperature and creates a humid environment ideal for seed germination. Domes will either be solid or have adjustable vents to allow humidity control. If you purchase a dome separately, make sure it matches the size of your seedling tray so that it seals around the edges.

Base tray

Base trays are fairly flat with no cell structure and are used to keep cell trays organized. Placing your cell tray in the base tray allows you to catch drainage water from the cells and also allows you to water seedlings from underneath to reduce pest and disease problems. Base trays can also be used for hydroponic growing, wheatgrass, and microgreens, and help keep things clean.

Watering mat

Watering mats can be used to draw water to the seed tray cells without oversaturating the soil mix.

Heating mat

Heating mats are usually purchased separately and don’t come with a seed starting kit. They are a great accessory for early indoor growing since they increase germination and growth rates by providing the ideal temperature.

Labels

Don’t forget what you have planted. Labeling your seedlings might be necessary, especially if you are new to gardening and not yet proficient at differentiating all your seedlings by just looking at them.

How To Use a Seed Tray

If you’re looking to use a seed to kickstart your winter garden, check out this video below for the tips and tricks to doing so.

Having a successful farm or garden starts with proper planning and preparation, and that includes choosing the right tools and supplies. One of the most important tools for starting plants is the seed tray.

There are several types of seed trays available, and each one has its own benefits and uses. In this article, we will explore the different types of seed trays and how to use each of them effectively.

ADVANTAGES TO STARTING SEEDS IN CELL TRAYS VS. LARGER POTS OR SOIL BED?

Starting seeds in cell trays, especially in the larger ones, gives the grower the advantage of being able to start more seedlings in their growing space. This is especially handy for row crops where the grower may want to plant 100 or more of each variety.

Growing this many seedling starts in larger seed pots would take up way too much space. The other advantage is that you will waste less growing media starting out your seeds and then up-potting the successfully germinated starts into new pots.

PARTS OF A SEED TRAY

There are two basic parts to a seed tray, one of which is optional:

• Tray – this is the top part that holds soil, individual containers (pots), or a cell flat. When used with a cell flat, the tray is used for watering from below.

• Cell flat (plug flat) – this is the optional lower part. This is the part that holds the water to keep you from watering the seedlings very frequently.

TYPES OF SEED TRAYS

Seedling trays come in different forms, including mesh seed trays, solid seed trays with drainage holes, and solid seed trays without drainage holes (leak-proof seed trays).

Mesh Seed Trays

A mesh seed tray is a type of seed tray that allows air, water, and light to pass through it while also providing support and protection to seedlings as they grow. It typically consists of a frame made of durable plastic or wire mesh, with a tray or pot placed inside it to hold the soil and seeds.

Mesh seed trays are specifically designed for seed starting, and they are often used in commercial and home gardens to start seedlings before transplanting them into larger containers or into the ground. They are also commonly used for microgreen production, which is the practice of growing germinated seeds into small, edible plants that are harvested a few weeks after germination.

By allowing air, water, and light to pass through, mesh seed trays help to reduce the risk of damping off, a disease that can kill young seedlings. They also allow for better drainage, reducing the risk of root rot and other diseases associated with overwatering.

Where to buy:

Amazon

Shopee

Lazada

Cell Seed Tray

A cell seed tray is composed of small, individual cells, each of which is typically about 5 to 10 millimeters wide, long, and deep. The cells are arranged in a grid-like pattern, with rows and columns, and they're separated from each other by small walls. Cell seed trays are often used for growing seedlings, particularly when growing crops in a commercial setting.

Cell seed trays are beneficial because they allow for efficient and convenient seedling production.

The small cells allow for even distribution of water and nutrients to the sprouts, and they provide a secure and stable base for the seedlings to grow and mature. This makes it easier to transplant them into larger containers or directly into the ground, and it decreases the risk of damage to the seedlings.

Overall, cell seed trays are a versatile and efficient tool for growing seedlings and they're a popular choice for commercial growers or those who want to start their own miniature farm.

Where to buy:

Amazon

Shopee

Lazada

Solid Seed Trays with Drainage Holes

Solid seed trays with drainage holes allow for adequate drainage, making them suitable for planting multiple seeds together in one place.

The drainage holes prevent the soil from becoming saturated with water and promote healthy root growth. However, the lack of individual cells makes it impossible to move seedlings to separate containers once they grow larger.

Want more information on Leak-Proof Seedling Trays? Feel free to contact us.

Where to buy:

Amazon

Shopee

Lazada

Solid seed trays without drainage holes

Solid seed trays without drainage holes (leak-proof seed trays) do not allow for any drainage at all. They are best used for holding cell flats and allowing for bottom watering. By holding water, the tray can be used to catch excess water from watering seeds, or to water seeds from below.

WHERE TO BUY:

Amazon

Shopee

Lazada

Seed Tray With a Humidity Dome

A seed tray with a humidity dome is a growing system that provides an ideal environment for seed germination and early plant growth. It consists of a seed tray, which is a tray with small, individual cells or pots, and a humidity dome, which is a clear plastic cover that fits over the tray.

The humidity dome creates a warm, moist environment that is essential for seed germination and early plant growth. The cover traps moisture and moisture-laden air around the seedlings, providing them with a consistent supply of water. This can be particularly beneficial during dry periods or when the air is particularly dry.

Seed trays with humidity domes are particularly useful for growing plants that require a warm and humid environment, such as tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables. They are also popular for growing herbs, flowers, and other outdoor plants.

WHERE TO BUY:

Amazon

Shopee

Lazada

Biodegradable Seed Trays

Biodegradable seed trays are the environmentally friendly solution to traditional, plastic seed trays.

Instead of being made from synthetic materials that can take hundreds of years to decompose, biodegradable seed trays are made from natural materials such as recycled paper, biodegradable plastic, or plant-based materials.

These innovative trays provide all the benefits of traditional seed trays, including protection for seedlings and support for roots, but with the added bonus of being gentle on the environment. Biodegradable materials are non-toxic and they won't pollute the soil or water systems when they're discarded.

Biodegradable seed trays are a great choice for gardeners who want to reduce their environmental impact while still nurturing their plants. They're also an excellent choice for commercial growers who need to minimize their waste output and meet sustainability goals.

WHERE TO BUY:

Amazon

Shopee

Lazada

Ergonomic Pop-out Seed Tray

An ergonomic pop-out seed tray is a growing tray designed for the comfort and productivity of gardeners.

Soft food-grade silicone cells cradle seedlings and gently flex to pop out when it’s time to transplant into your outdoor garden! This system is specially designed to reduce stress on your seedlings, so you don't damage their roots. After transplanting, trays are easy to clean and reuse or simply store for next growing season. Top shelf dishwasher safe.

The tray is made from lightweight, durable materials that are easy to clean. These trays are a popular choice among commercial growers and home gardeners who want to maximize their seedling production while minimizing their physical strain.

Where to buy:

Amazon

SO WHAT KIND OF TRAY SHOULD YOU USE?

• Are you growing a large number of one variety of plants for transplanting row crops?

• Are you planting smaller numbers of a wide variety of plants?

• Will you be planting your crops all at once, or will you be using the succession planting method?

• What type of seeds will you be planting? Peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, watermelon, etc.?

• How large are the seeds?

• How long will your seedlings need to stay in the cell trays?

• Will you be potting up your plant starts or planting out directly from the plug trays?

• How much protected growing space do you have to start seeds in?

• Will you use a heat mat or a dome or rely on ambient temperatures and humidity for germination?

HOW LONG CAN PLANTS STAY IN THE CELL TRAY?

Plastic Seed Trays Plastic seed trays are one of the most popular types of trays for starting plants. They are lightweight, durable, and easy to clean. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and are a budget-friendly option.

WATERING TIP

Yes. It is possible to overwater seedlings growing in cell trays. A common mistake growers make though is to leave water in the bottom of a plug tray at all times. This will eliminate your seedling’s ability to get oxygen.

Bottom-watering can be properly done by adding just enough water to allow the cell tray to evenly absorb it during the watering and no more. You want to discard the excess water as it will become stagnant and invite anaerobic bacteria to wreak havoc on your newly established seedlings.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of cheap seed starting trays. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.