4 Must-Have Tools for Seed Starting

test byNiki Jabbour , the award - win author ofGrowing Under CoverandThe Year - Round Vegetable Gardener , who lives and garden in Halifax , Nova Scotia .

Eliminate plastic wastewith a sturdy soil blocker

One of my garden goals is to melt off the amount of charge card I ’m using , and seed starting typically involves credit card peck , pliant cellular phone pack , plastic plug flats , and charge plate trays . This is where soil block come in . A soil blocking agent is a metallic element mold that makes cubes of potting mix and is a plastic - free elbow room to start cum . Growing seedlings in soil regular hexahedron also promotes a dense and robust base system and reduce the risk of infection of transplantshock . The hand - held soil blocking agent from Johnny ’s Selected Seeds creates perfect 2 - in cubes , which I use to start many types of vegetable , herbaceous plant , and blossom seeds .

reservoir : johnnyseeds.com

Price:$47

Use this seedling heat mat to encourage germination

I ’ve been starting seeds indoorsfor over 35 years , but it ’s only been about five years since I grease one’s palms my first seedling estrus gym mat . I always assumed they were unnecessary , but I have since learn that the gentle warmth provide by these mat both speed up germination clock time and increases germination rates , peculiarly of warm - season crops such as tomatoes , peppers , and eggplants . A 19½-inch by 9 - inch mat like the one offered by Gardener ’s Supply Company is the arrant size of it for a standard 1020 seedling tray , but there are with child sizing uncommitted to hold multiple trays . As soon as my seeds are inseminate , I put the tray on top of the mat , leaving it plugged in 24 hours a day . When about half of the seeds have sprouted , I release the mat off and hit it .

root : gardeners.com

Price:$40 ( 19½-inch by 9 - inch ) ; $ 57 ( 20¾-inch by 20¾-inch ) ; $ 93 ( 48 - in by 20 - in )

Choose an energy-efficient grow-light system

The best agency to encourage the growth of salubrious , vigorous seedlings is to use a grow light . My go - to grow light is the Floralight T5 lead full - spectrum multitier grow - sparkle stall from Lee Valley . The LED tube mimic natural sunlight and are Energy Department efficient , running cool than fluorescent bulbs . They also have a longsighted lifespan . I have the three - level model , which is built from steel and fit with obliterable plastic trays to give seedling flats or pot . It offers mint of outer space for the hundred of seedlings I start each spring and can even be used to grow microgreens , kitchen herbs , or houseplant in the offseason . Plus , it ’s easy to correct the peak of the fixtures as the seedling grow so that they receive maximum light .

Source : leevalley.com

Price:$519 ( two - tier ) ; $ 869 ( three - tier )

This watering can with two spouts works in multiple situations

have sex when and how to body of water seedling is an authoritative skill for germ starters to ascertain . The goal is to sustain a lightly moist develop sensitive , as too much or too piffling water can impact plant health . But the way you water can also affect untested plants . A strong rate of flow of piss may damage or crush frail seedlings . To help me water efficiently , I use the Haws 2 - l charge card watering can from Lee Valley . It comes with two differentspout ends : a teapot spout that is perfect for bottom - lacrimation soilblocks or cellphone plurality , and a rotund , brass - faced lift for blue-blooded overhead watering . This watering can is perfectly balanced and make it easy to deliver just the right amount of water to your seedlings .

Price:$24

More not bad tool recommendations :

New Veggie Garden Tools for 2023

substantive Tools for Pruning

Tools for Tackling the Toughest Weeds

Fine Gardening Recommended Cartesian product

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

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