[CH] Re-using Seed Trays

T. Matthew Evans (matt.evans@ce.gatech.edu)
Tue, 18 Feb 2003 09:21:39 -0500 

> I already have trays and covers, which I adapted to cover taller
> seedlings,  from previous years.

This brings up an interesting point - I was going to start seeds last night,
but then I recalled that I had read somewhere that one should always use
impeccably clean trays for seed starting.  I checked the back of the seed
mix bag and it said the same thing.  So, I soaked my old trays, lids, and
six-packs in hot, soapy water and the rinsed them off.  Of course, they are
cleaner, but not "clean".  The whole time I was wondering, "Do I really need
to be going to all of this trouble?"

What has been the experience of the list?  Do you re-use seed trays, etc.?
I can replace my setup for about $4 per 72 plants ( would only need three
sets) - should I do this?  Or, am I just making more work for myself?

Thanks.

Matt

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
T. Matthew Evans
Research Assistant
Geosystems Group, School of CEE
Georgia Institute of Technology
URL:  www.prism.gatech.edu/~gte964w
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-chile-heads@globalgarden.com
[mailto:owner-chile-heads@globalgarden.com]On Behalf Of tucker
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 5:15 PM
Cc: Chile-heads@globalgarden.com
Subject: Re: [CH] EXPENSIVE SEEDLINGS?

Fred Morris wrote:

> Hey Erich, not wanting to take any business away from Susan, but growing
> seedlings can be pretty simple and inexpensive.  You can get one of
> those little plastic tray planters from Wally World for $3-4, and 24
> inch shop light at same place for $10 more.  That'll grow you 72
> seed-lings - all you need is a corner of a room to put it in.  I've gone
> a couple of steps further, put an old heating pad under the tray for
> bottom heat, ...
>
> Fred the habanernut

  Hi Fred!

  I already have trays and covers, which I adapted to cover taller
seedlings,  from previous years.  It's just that I don't really have as good
of a place to try starting them here as I did at our previous residence.  I
thought about doing the lights and the heat pads, but I really don't have
the room to string them up under the seedlings.  The basement has become a
sort of dumping ground during house projects, so I have to find a place
upstairs to put the trays.  That won't lend itself to hanging any kind of
lighting, so I'm just going to put them in the warmest room that still has a
window.  They likely won't do as well as years past, but then, my gardening
space is pretty small anyway...

--
Erich
C-H # 2099