Re: [CH] Re-using Seed Trays

Bill & Linda Moats (moats@valint.net)
Tue, 18 Feb 2003 08:40:39 -0800 

We use speedling trays from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply (groworganic.com).
They are some sort of styrofoam material. We just spray them with a hose
when done with them and re-use them the next year. We've been using them for
five years and they've worked great. The first year we planted some seeds in
K-Mart potting mix and some in PV's soiless potting mix. The soiless mix
worked way, way better.

Bill Moats
Pau Hana Farm
Milton-Freewater, OR

----- Original Message -----
From: "T. Matthew Evans" <matt.evans@ce.gatech.edu>
To: "tucker" <tucker@ticon.net>
Cc: <Chile-heads@globalgarden.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 6:21 AM
Subject: [CH] Re-using Seed Trays


> > 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
>