@@MIgardener I like deep, but use shallow to transfer cells to remove the water instead of tilting the 1020 trays since somr plants can break easily, like portulaca stems.
I only use the deep from BSF. I also use the 32-cell cup insert so it is easy to remove a single cup and bottom water. BootStrap Farmer is the only tray system to use IMO!
I never liked them in any size for home use. They become small quickly and dry out easily. I usually start in the final pot size for planting. I am sure they have their place in larger operations.
Great content - I've always wondered. To your point about shallow being easier to bottom water - I only have deep trays, so have found the easy solution there is to just leave one single cell open. By sacrificing one seedling, I gain a blank where I can easily add water, or see the depth (and even pop in a turkey baster to pull out excess). I've even been known to use that blank to insert a temp probe to control my heating mats. When I have instead threaded the wire out the side, it left my trays sitting a little wonky, which I didn't love, since it meant the high corner was always a little drier because it didn't sit as deeply in the tray when bottom watering.
I have always liked the deeper trays. After trying so many and getting okay results, I bought some from Amazon that work so much better. I was amazed at the results that I got with my tomato plants because the roots on my tomato plants were like a foot long!😮😮 I've never before had roots on tomato plants that long before!! I plan out my garden in December and January to figure out where I'm putting everything and how many plants of each type we need for canning. One year I took a tally of how many seeds that I actually put into my garden and it's over 4,000! I never knew I could get that many seeds in a small garden that is 60x30!! I learned how to garden a different way. I use a seeding square to maximize my space! Every other year I plant 127 tomato plants, but every year we plant 200 pole beans, 400 to 600 carrots, 200 onions, 30 potatoes, 2000 garlic cloves, 12 of each herb that we need for spaghetti sauce and other meals. I also do other vegetables and squash plants. I started growing medicinal plants this past year.
My reason for liking deep trays is because my starts don't topple out of the tray when I almost trip over my cat while taking my seedlings outside. Happens every time 😆
I hadn't thought about the trays beyond their stability & the ability to hold water. My best location for starting seed is on an upper floor with a double wide south facing window; keeping the area clean & the floors free from water dirt etc is priority, so I go with the deeper flats. Except for the tomatoes I've no problems with carrying the normal trays through the house to the garden when the time comes. The tomatoes are the exception as I like to use the red party cups with holes cut in the bottoms - throw an inch or soil moist potting mix in to start, about five to six weeks later when the tops are usually about four to six inches above the rim I'll attempt to carefully fill the cups to the rim with more moist potting mix as the root development is very vigorous at that point. The plant will sky rocket as I anxiously await my area's last frost date, ~May 5th. The trick I use to carry them to the garden is a tall cardboard box that only fits about nine cups.
Best waterproof trays I have found that last for years, cat litter pans. The dollar store ones can be economical, but special deals on Amazon are great.
Can you do a video on starting onions from seed and when to take the cover off? Do you remove the dome or plastic once you see the first germination or wait? Also it would be great to have the series continue so we grow, trim, fertilize, plant, water, and know when amd what to use to fertilize once planted to get large onions. I have never been successful growing large onions, they are small/medium and I would like to learn how step-by-step, if possible.
Hello friend, for success with onions I've always found the earlier you start them the bigger bulbs. Make sure you have the right latitude long vs short day variety. For dome, wait until most have germinated and take the cover off. Sometimes I believe it's best practice to take the cover off periodically to allow for some air movement and place back on. Trick is to remember you took it off for a little while
Thanks. I just started trying to grow onions from seed this passed season. It was a mess. I was fumbling around not knowing what to or when. And the onions that survived were small. 🫤
Good pros and cons. As a small gardener I have to take my seedlings from the basement to upstairs to outside to harden off. So the deep trays work much better. I just have to be patient when watering.
On the taller 1020 tray you just leave one of the cells open on a 6C tray and that becomes your watering and observation port. You can also drill a small hole at 1/2” height and fill 1020 tray with water until it 1st comes out of the hole which will prevent over watering.
I’m with you Luke, it’s great to have a couple/few of both, same with the inserts. And I love the bootstrap farmer products! I use the tiny ones for tiny seeds and just put some glad wrap loosely over them with extra long toothpicks/short skewers to hold the wrap off of the soil. Bigger seeds, that are going to live in their cells longer, go into to the deeper 6 packs and trays.
I grow mostly peppers so I prefer the deep trays. Way more sturdy, especially once they are in 3.5" pots, the area underneath staying moist is very important as I always have roots hanging out by the time transplant time comes. I upgraded all my trays/pots to bootstrap farmer last year and super happy with them, strong enough that my son can help me carrying stuff out come hardening off time.
Timely information. I always go with the deeper tray myself. With these pros and cons you can experiment and choose for yourself which works best for you. Thanks Luke. 😊
I use the deep 1010 trays. I'm older and grow 30+ tomato plants, cukes, flowers and the 1020 trays fully water is very heavy. The square 1010 trays work great for me. I take the trays outside for real sunshine for the seedlings when temps are good and bring them in on cold nights. I agree and grow my tomatoes in the deep starter pots, and now only start my tomatoes 6wks early because central Mich spring can be both hot too fast and stay cold too long to put tomatoes out before May 15. When my tomato starts are 8 weeks old they can be 14" tall too big to handle fully watered. I did enjoy you view of the shallow trays and will get those in the future for my salad items, even very young seedlings where I'm not growing them out in 2-3" pots. It is a lot easier to start seeds under one grow light and transplant/pot up when they come to size. It a good way to 'weed' out the weaklings too when it's about the tomatoes.
I like the shallow trays for leaving my seedlings outside in the rain. I use the winter to start perennials like flowers and herbs in seed trays because some varieties need a cold spell in order to germinate. When it rains, I don’t want my seat trays to get flooded and the shallow ones seem to work best. Even if we get a lot of rain and they have too much water I can easily tip out a little bit because I can see how much water has accumulated. On the deep trays, the ones that have cracked or the corner got stepped on or other damage I use those for our rainy season as well. They let just the right amount of water out, so don’t throw away those broken or cracked seed trays.
I like the deeper trays. I always keep about 1/2 inch of water in the bottom of the tray. My plants flourish this way, and no overwatering effects have been noted. I still get good root development in the bottom of the tray in the water. I start weaning them off of this bottom water when I put them out to harden off. This really helps tiny seeds such as petunia and begonias germinate and get started. When I cover the trays without the bottom water, I get mold or the top of the soil gets too dry killing my plants. I haven't had mold with the water in the bottom and no cover on the tray. This goes against everything I've been taught but works very well. The trick is to start them this way before germination.
Sounds like shallow trays good for beginning seeds but then once more mature move to deeper tray where the more mature roots can get more water and plants grow taller and transportation less risky. Maybe shallow pan stays stationary or put a stronger aluminum sheet pan underneath to create strength.
Thanks for your video. I'm getting ready to start canna Lillies seeds, so I'll be using the deep cells with the deep tray. Also, you have great prices on the cells and trays
Enjoyed your advice about the flats. I prefer the deep flats myself for some of the reason you mentioned. I have a small backyard with no room for an in-ground garden. I use vertical GreenStalk planters and fabric grow bags on a large outdoor patio. A while back, I bought some of the small 6-cell seed trays with the side slots to do seed starts for my GreenStalks. The GreenStalk transplant plug size needs to be smaller than the plug size I do in my single 3" pots for the grow bags. I had to restart some cauliflower, kohlrabi and bunching onion seedlings, so I used my 4 new 6-cell trays in a 1020 flat. I did have to water the seedling trays more often. When I transplanted the cauliflower and kohlrabi at 7 weeks old, their root systems weren't as developed like when using the 3" pots. After listening to your explanation, I believe the 6-cell trays had too much air space around them in the 1020 tray, which air pruned the roots too much. Next time, I'll fill up the 1020 tray with the 6-cell trays so that they fit tighter together to hopefully reduce the air flow.
i use solo cups in a disposable cake pan for my tomato starts. poke holes in the cups. The aluminum cake pans are the same width as my shelves. It just works.
I use deep bootstrap farmer's 10x20 for cuttings and plants that have been up-potted. I don't like my cups tipping over as I take them off of the shelves. I water in another tray so I don't have to lift the large 10x20 tray to tip the water out. For a flat tray I use aluminum jelly roll pans I purchased at a thrift store. They are rigid and shorter to fit on shallower shelves. They are good for seed starting.
I use perforated tray to put my cells in and put water in deep tray and remove from deep tray and put it in a deep dry tray. I use more trays but is very efficient for me.
I would think that home gardeners could just leave couple of the seed packs empty in the deep trays to make watering easier. Just pour through the empty pack area. Great video!
I use deep trays to bottom water, but I transfer the cells to a shallow tray if I have excess water since tipping the tray usually causes issues for me, like stem breakage or a cell falls out, so I move them first and then return them to the deeper trays. Yes, it's time consumming when you have 20 full trays, but I enjoy it. 😊
I bought the Burpee trays after using those black junk trays. Burpee's are super heavy duty, they're deep and plant removal is really easy. This isn't a commercial I'm just super pleased with them.
All of Bootstrap Farmer trays and pots are heavy duty and are the best I have ever used. They will last for many years. Once I tried them, I never buy anything else.
I agree silicone bottoms make easy plant removal just push them up and plant comes out. I live in zone 7b in New Mexico. December first I started all my onion seeds. I grow short day onions and intermediate where I live. Happy growing y’all Great Vid Luke!!
I use the peat pellets. Then I put them in soil if it's too early to plant outside. I tried seed trays, had very little success, so I switched and almost all of my seeds grow and produce. I also only have a few raised beds, so don't grow very many seedlings. Mostly tomato. You should do a video on how to get cauliflower to produce nice heads. I can't for the life of me get any to produce heads like my broccoli does.
I didn't know there was a shallow tray. I have been collecting supplies for a while and only have the deeper trays. Storing supplies takes up lots of room, so I will stick wiith the deep trays!
Hey, Luke! Congratulations on your new farm! Looks like you all are having a blast. I always wonder whether to start seeds for things like lettuce in a tray and then transfer to bootstrap farmer pots for indoor growing or just start in the pot from the start? What do you think?
I did that once and it was very hard for me to transplant the mess. If I do it again I will mix the lettuce seeds in sand first to distribute tiny seeds easier!
It’s gonna be my first year starting everything from seed, I got the seed trays from Epic Gardner, the quality is amazingly sturdy but the cells are about the size of a quarter or a large thumb.
Epic sells three different trays, plus you can buy individual domes to germinate them, which comes in handy if you are only germinating one or two 4 or 6 cell trays and not a full 72 cell tray. I purchased the 1020 extra strength trays from bootstrap farm But I received the 16-cell, 4- cell, and 6-cell sets from epic gardening, and their matching domes, plus two shallow trays for my birthday and Christmas last year. I recently purchased 72-cell trays from migardener to grow my marigolds in since that tray is a solid piece and was on sale. I am glad there are options for everyone.
I love a 1020, 1 with holes and 1 without holes. But, I can't find any except for Bootstrap farmer, but they are way too expensive. Now I bought some 10x10. But I can't find any with holes. They are easier for me to carry. I have a 6 ft table in the backyard that I set my starts in. If it rains then I have to lift everything out of the tray because there aren't any holes, then dump the water in a bucket, and return the starts to the tray. I am thinking about the 10 trays I bought without holes-take 5 trays, burn holes in them and stack them inside of the trays with out holes. Make my own invention.
I added holes in a few trays with a soldering gun or anything you can heat up to melt through the plastic. Someone even used a hot glue gun to make holes. Then you can place the one with the new holes into one without! Sometimes we miss an easy solution. I know I am guilty of that myself!😊😊😊
May I give you a hint when it comes to watering, please? For every flat, leave one cell completely empty. I'm not talking about a 6 pack. I'm talking about leaving one cell in the entire flat empty. When you need to water, only water that one cell. That way you're not wasting water.
Good video. I have a super hard time getting seedlings out of the Bootstrap Farmers seed trays, I asked them about it but the tips were not very helpful. Would you be willing to provide tips of getting seedling out of the trays, intact so the roots are not damaged please. Thank you.
Always wet down the potting mix to about half the field capacity, then after filling seed trays, saturate the growing medium, before adding seeds, never use a large heavy flow for watering. Misting, fine showerhead
It's weird, but I once filled a shallow tray with empty 2x3 cells, drilled through the bottom hole of each cell and completely through the shallow tray. Now, whenever I have filled a deep tray of cells with dirt, I place the "holey" shallow tray on top, poke through the holes into the dirt barely below with a wooden chopstick, then I can drop a small pinch of 2 or 3 seeds into the shallow tray "roof" and control how many seeds go into each hole quite easily, also using the chopstick to knock the seeds into the holes. After I have successfully seeded each hole as desired, I remove the shallow tray and see a very well aligned array of centered holes, each seeded, and I then sprinkle coir gently over them to cover the seeds. I bottom water then I'm done! Old eyes and tiny seeds create challenges easily overcome with creativity.
I used the deep trays. Last few years I have a lot of root growth coming out of the bottom of the cells. Am I leaving the water in the bottom to long? Should I trim the roots?
This is probably wrong but ive done it for a few seasons now no problem i just fill the bottom with a few inches of water and leave the water until its gone then refill never have dumped out the remaining
I say just start seed planting! I dislike this stuff...just plant a seed for God's sake, take care of it, and enjoy your fruits if labor. I love Luke, I'm subscribed and I order from him. But starting out, let's not turn off people. I use them and anything else I can find to plant seeds, and I don't have problems.
Well understand that Luke has a business he is involved in. There are conveniences in extra stuff but you don't need it. I just bought a bunch of domed seed sets because they are easier than stuffing different recycled containers in trays under my lights. I need to save as much room as possible because I sell my plants through Annie Joe's Plants from my home in AZ
Which do you like? Shallow or Deep?
I prefer the deep trays. I’m too clumsy for shallow trays! 😂
@@MIgardener I like deep, but use shallow to transfer cells to remove the water instead of tilting the 1020 trays since somr plants can break easily, like portulaca stems.
I only use the deep from BSF. I also use the 32-cell cup insert so it is easy to remove a single cup and bottom water. BootStrap Farmer is the only tray system to use IMO!
I never liked them in any size for home use. They become small quickly and dry out easily. I usually start in the final pot size for planting. I am sure they have their place in larger operations.
I like deep trays, so my roots get established.
Great content - I've always wondered. To your point about shallow being easier to bottom water - I only have deep trays, so have found the easy solution there is to just leave one single cell open. By sacrificing one seedling, I gain a blank where I can easily add water, or see the depth (and even pop in a turkey baster to pull out excess). I've even been known to use that blank to insert a temp probe to control my heating mats. When I have instead threaded the wire out the side, it left my trays sitting a little wonky, which I didn't love, since it meant the high corner was always a little drier because it didn't sit as deeply in the tray when bottom watering.
I have always liked the deeper trays. After trying so many and getting okay results, I bought some from Amazon that work so much better. I was amazed at the results that I got with my tomato plants because the roots on my tomato plants were like a foot long!😮😮 I've never before had roots on tomato plants that long before!! I plan out my garden in December and January to figure out where I'm putting everything and how many plants of each type we need for canning. One year I took a tally of how many seeds that I actually put into my garden and it's over 4,000! I never knew I could get that many seeds in a small garden that is 60x30!! I learned how to garden a different way. I use a seeding square to maximize my space!
Every other year I plant 127 tomato plants, but every year we plant 200 pole beans, 400 to 600 carrots, 200 onions, 30 potatoes, 2000 garlic cloves, 12 of each herb that we need for spaghetti sauce and other meals. I also do other vegetables and squash plants. I started growing medicinal plants this past year.
Wow, that is ALL I can say! ! THAT is a lot of plants!
My reason for liking deep trays is because my starts don't topple out of the tray when I almost trip over my cat while taking my seedlings outside. Happens every time 😆
I have a cat like that😂 who thinks his job is to always beat me to whatever room I’m walking to and like a race car driver cuts right in front of me.
@@kerry-579 Yes!! Why are they like that? 🤣
Hahahah so true
I hadn't thought about the trays beyond their stability & the ability to hold water. My best location for starting seed is on an upper floor with a double wide south facing window; keeping the area clean & the floors free from water dirt etc is priority, so I go with the deeper flats. Except for the tomatoes I've no problems with carrying the normal trays through the house to the garden when the time comes.
The tomatoes are the exception as I like to use the red party cups with holes cut in the bottoms - throw an inch or soil moist potting mix in to start, about five to six weeks later when the tops are usually about four to six inches above the rim I'll attempt to carefully fill the cups to the rim with more moist potting mix as the root development is very vigorous at that point. The plant will sky rocket as I anxiously await my area's last frost date, ~May 5th. The trick I use to carry them to the garden is a tall cardboard box that only fits about nine cups.
Great work Luke! This is a must watch for new gardners.
Best waterproof trays I have found that last for years, cat litter pans. The dollar store ones can be economical, but special deals on Amazon are great.
I appreciate you making this video! Now I can order some BSF trays! Thank you!
Can you do a video on starting onions from seed and when to take the cover off? Do you remove the dome or plastic once you see the first germination or wait? Also it would be great to have the series continue so we grow, trim, fertilize, plant, water, and know when amd what to use to fertilize once planted to get large onions.
I have never been successful growing large onions, they are small/medium and I would like to learn how step-by-step, if possible.
Hello friend, for success with onions I've always found the earlier you start them the bigger bulbs. Make sure you have the right latitude long vs short day variety. For dome, wait until most have germinated and take the cover off. Sometimes I believe it's best practice to take the cover off periodically to allow for some air movement and place back on. Trick is to remember you took it off for a little while
Thanks. I just started trying to grow onions from seed this passed season. It was a mess. I was fumbling around not knowing what to or when. And the onions that survived were small. 🫤
@lazydogfarm does an excellent onion from seed tutorial.
ua-cam.com/video/ZNrOHrLen2g/v-deo.htmlsi=SoIe06Dv_Sq0ES_9
Luke has about 10 more videos on onions.
Good pros and cons. As a small gardener I have to take my seedlings from the basement to upstairs to outside to harden off. So the deep trays work much better. I just have to be patient when watering.
On the taller 1020 tray you just leave one of the cells open on a 6C tray and that becomes your watering and observation port. You can also drill a small hole at 1/2” height and fill 1020 tray with water until it 1st comes out of the hole which will prevent over watering.
I’m with you Luke, it’s great to have a couple/few of both, same with the inserts. And I love the bootstrap farmer products! I use the tiny ones for tiny seeds and just put some glad wrap loosely over them with extra long toothpicks/short skewers to hold the wrap off of the soil. Bigger seeds, that are going to live in their cells longer, go into to the deeper 6 packs and trays.
I grow mostly peppers so I prefer the deep trays. Way more sturdy, especially once they are in 3.5" pots, the area underneath staying moist is very important as I always have roots hanging out by the time transplant time comes. I upgraded all my trays/pots to bootstrap farmer last year and super happy with them, strong enough that my son can help me carrying stuff out come hardening off time.
Plastic chicken roaster container after done eating all the chicken, a good way to recycle used containers for seed starting
Not to mention polystyrene meat trays that would otherwise get thrown in the trash. Disinfect them and they make for good plant bottom trays.
Timely information. I always go with the deeper tray myself. With these pros and cons you can experiment and choose for yourself which works best for you. Thanks Luke. 😊
Im’a deep trayer
Thank you for the pro & con video
Deep. More stable when moving them. Love Bootstrap trays.
I use the deep 1010 trays. I'm older and grow 30+ tomato plants, cukes, flowers and the 1020 trays fully water is very heavy. The square 1010 trays work great for me. I take the trays outside for real sunshine for the seedlings when temps are good and bring them in on cold nights.
I agree and grow my tomatoes in the deep starter pots, and now only start my tomatoes 6wks early because central Mich spring can be both hot too fast and stay cold too long to put tomatoes out before May 15. When my tomato starts are 8 weeks old they can be 14" tall too big to handle fully watered. I did enjoy you view of the shallow trays and will get those in the future for my salad items, even very young seedlings where I'm not growing them out in 2-3" pots. It is a lot easier to start seeds under one grow light and transplant/pot up when they come to size. It a good way to 'weed' out the weaklings too when it's about the tomatoes.
I like the shallow trays for leaving my seedlings outside in the rain. I use the winter to start perennials like flowers and herbs in seed trays because some varieties need a cold spell in order to germinate. When it rains, I don’t want my seat trays to get flooded and the shallow ones seem to work best. Even if we get a lot of rain and they have too much water I can easily tip out a little bit because I can see how much water has accumulated. On the deep trays, the ones that have cracked or the corner got stepped on or other damage I use those for our rainy season as well. They let just the right amount of water out, so don’t throw away those broken or cracked seed trays.
I like the deeper trays. I always keep about 1/2 inch of water in the bottom of the tray. My plants flourish this way, and no overwatering effects have been noted. I still get good root development in the bottom of the tray in the water. I start weaning them off of this bottom water when I put them out to harden off. This really helps tiny seeds such as petunia and begonias germinate and get started. When I cover the trays without the bottom water, I get mold or the top of the soil gets too dry killing my plants. I haven't had mold with the water in the bottom and no cover on the tray. This goes against everything I've been taught but works very well. The trick is to start them this way before germination.
Sounds like shallow trays good for beginning seeds but then once more mature move to deeper tray where the more mature roots can get more water and plants grow taller and transportation less risky. Maybe shallow pan stays stationary or put a stronger aluminum sheet pan underneath to create strength.
Thanks for your video. I'm getting ready to start canna Lillies seeds, so I'll be using the deep cells with the deep tray. Also, you have great prices on the cells and trays
Enjoyed your advice about the flats. I prefer the deep flats myself for some of the reason you mentioned. I have a small backyard with no room for an in-ground garden. I use vertical GreenStalk planters and fabric grow bags on a large outdoor patio. A while back, I bought some of the small 6-cell seed trays with the side slots to do seed starts for my GreenStalks. The GreenStalk transplant plug size needs to be smaller than the plug size I do in my single 3" pots for the grow bags. I had to restart some cauliflower, kohlrabi and bunching onion seedlings, so I used my 4 new 6-cell trays in a 1020 flat. I did have to water the seedling trays more often. When I transplanted the cauliflower and kohlrabi at 7 weeks old, their root systems weren't as developed like when using the 3" pots. After listening to your explanation, I believe the 6-cell trays had too much air space around them in the 1020 tray, which air pruned the roots too much. Next time, I'll fill up the 1020 tray with the 6-cell trays so that they fit tighter together to hopefully reduce the air flow.
Never thought to use a shallow tray for the wheat grass I grow for my worms, been using the standard 1020 tray, not no more! Thanks, Stay Well!!!!
i use solo cups in a disposable cake pan for my tomato starts. poke holes in the cups. The aluminum cake pans are the same width as my shelves. It just works.
I use deep bootstrap farmer's 10x20 for cuttings and plants that have been up-potted. I don't like my cups tipping over as I take them off of the shelves. I water in another tray so I don't have to lift the large 10x20 tray to tip the water out. For a flat tray I use aluminum jelly roll pans I purchased at a thrift store. They are rigid and shorter to fit on shallower shelves. They are good for seed starting.
Always great content. Thank you!
I use perforated tray to put my cells in and put water in deep tray and remove from deep tray and put it in a deep dry tray. I use more trays but is very efficient for me.
I would think that home gardeners could just leave couple of the seed packs empty in the deep trays to make watering easier. Just pour through the empty pack area. Great video!
Pros and cons of soil blocking please
I use deep trays to bottom water, but I transfer the cells to a shallow tray if I have excess water since tipping the tray usually causes issues for me, like stem breakage or a cell falls out, so I move them first and then return them to the deeper trays. Yes, it's time consumming when you have 20 full trays, but I enjoy it. 😊
I love a shallow tray.
I bought the Burpee trays after using those black junk trays. Burpee's are super heavy duty, they're deep and plant removal is really easy. This isn't a commercial I'm just super pleased with them.
I have a few of those. You're right. I find it easy popping them out for transplantation. 16 cells each one keeps roots from being entangled.
All of Bootstrap Farmer trays and pots are heavy duty and are the best I have ever used. They will last for many years. Once I tried them, I never buy anything else.
@@steveegbert7429 I'll keep that in mind. I looked at their stuff. Thanks.
I agree silicone bottoms make easy plant removal just push them up and plant comes out. I live in zone 7b in New Mexico. December first I started all my onion seeds. I grow short day onions and intermediate where I live. Happy growing y’all Great Vid Luke!!
The Burpee trays don’t hold up in sunlight/UV they become brittle and break
I use the peat pellets. Then I put them in soil if it's too early to plant outside. I tried seed trays, had very little success, so I switched and almost all of my seeds grow and produce. I also only have a few raised beds, so don't grow very many seedlings. Mostly tomato.
You should do a video on how to get cauliflower to produce nice heads. I can't for the life of me get any to produce heads like my broccoli does.
Will you do a video on planting for early spring gardening, and how to start your seedling without a greenhouse.
I didn't know there was a shallow tray. I have been collecting supplies for a while and only have the deeper trays. Storing supplies takes up lots of room, so I will stick wiith the deep trays!
Hey, Luke! Congratulations on your new farm! Looks like you all are having a blast. I always wonder whether to start seeds for things like lettuce in a tray and then transfer to bootstrap farmer pots for indoor growing or just start in the pot from the start? What do you think?
I did that once and it was very hard for me to transplant the mess. If I do it again I will mix the lettuce seeds in sand first to distribute tiny seeds easier!
Love the bootstrap stuff! The air pruning 4 cells are killer. Like the shallow trays except the deep ones are easier to move while full
It’s gonna be my first year starting everything from seed, I got the seed trays from Epic Gardner, the quality is amazingly sturdy but the cells are about the size of a quarter or a large thumb.
Epic sells three different trays, plus you can buy individual domes to germinate them, which comes in handy if you are only germinating one or two 4 or 6 cell trays and not a full 72 cell tray.
I purchased the 1020 extra strength trays from bootstrap farm
But
I received the 16-cell, 4- cell, and 6-cell sets from epic gardening, and their matching domes, plus two shallow trays for my birthday and Christmas last year.
I recently purchased 72-cell trays from migardener to grow my marigolds in since that tray is a solid piece and was on sale.
I am glad there are options for everyone.
Thank you!
I love a 1020, 1 with holes and 1 without holes. But, I can't find any except for Bootstrap farmer, but they are way too expensive. Now I bought some 10x10. But I can't find any with holes. They are easier for me to carry. I have a 6 ft table in the backyard that I set my starts in. If it rains then I have to lift everything out of the tray because there aren't any holes, then dump the water in a bucket, and return the starts to the tray. I am thinking about the 10 trays I bought without holes-take 5 trays, burn holes in them and stack them inside of the trays with out holes. Make my own invention.
I added holes in a few trays with a soldering gun or anything you can heat up to melt through the plastic. Someone even used a hot glue gun to make holes. Then you can place the one with the new holes into one without! Sometimes we miss an easy solution. I know I am guilty of that myself!😊😊😊
Great information
May I give you a hint when it comes to watering, please? For every flat, leave one cell completely empty. I'm not talking about a 6 pack. I'm talking about leaving one cell in the entire flat empty. When you need to water, only water that one cell. That way you're not wasting water.
Great tip. One I think I will use. You then can use that spot to use a turkey baster if too much water is left over!
I didn’t even know they had shallow trays.
Saving seed question:
When extracting seeds from squash, do I rinse them off or let them dry and store them?
Good video. I have a super hard time getting seedlings out of the Bootstrap Farmers seed trays, I asked them about it but the tips were not very helpful. Would you be willing to provide tips of getting seedling out of the trays, intact so the roots are not damaged please. Thank you.
Always wet down the potting mix to about half the field capacity, then after filling seed trays, saturate the growing medium, before adding seeds, never use a large heavy flow for watering. Misting, fine showerhead
Smaller seeding flats like 240’s or larger will not seat properly in deep flats, use a shallow tray
It's weird, but I once filled a shallow tray with empty 2x3 cells, drilled through the bottom hole of each cell and completely through the shallow tray. Now, whenever I have filled a deep tray of cells with dirt, I place the "holey" shallow tray on top, poke through the holes into the dirt barely below with a wooden chopstick, then I can drop a small pinch of 2 or 3 seeds into the shallow tray "roof" and control how many seeds go into each hole quite easily, also using the chopstick to knock the seeds into the holes. After I have successfully seeded each hole as desired, I remove the shallow tray and see a very well aligned array of centered holes, each seeded, and I then sprinkle coir gently over them to cover the seeds. I bottom water then I'm done! Old eyes and tiny seeds create challenges easily overcome with creativity.
Video on seed starting medium? Make your own? I do.
I used the deep trays. Last few years I have a lot of root growth coming out of the bottom of the cells. Am I leaving the water in the bottom to long? Should I trim the roots?
Enjoyed from San Diego! Thanks for posting! You live in Michigan? New subscriber!
Great Video! Wonderful Ideas.
interested in the Geothermal Citrus greenhouse you mentiined in Missouri... please do add a link so we can check it out.
I use both plants like tomatoes I use deep, slow growing herbs I use shallow.
So if I wanna grow wintergreen from seed, a slow growing/spreading plant, should I use a deep tray?
Is there a reason you don't sell bootstrap domes? I just bought the shallow water trays and a couple sizes of the seed tray inserts.
How do you get the white, dangley roots out of the cells without hurting them?
What kind of potting mix do you use?
This is probably wrong but ive done it for a few seasons now no problem i just fill the bottom with a few inches of water and leave the water until its gone then refill never have dumped out the remaining
Learn the weight of dry cells compared to wet cells
This is the best way to tell when to water
She says she prefers the shallow trays because the deep ones hurt….what a way to warm my soil.
Deep, shallow dry out too fast because I use the cells with slits down the sides, but better ventilation.
Spend the money on more solid trays the cheap thin trays don’t last and they leak if used more than once
Always pick something up from your videos.
I say just start seed planting! I dislike this stuff...just plant a seed for God's sake, take care of it, and enjoy your fruits if labor. I love Luke, I'm subscribed and I order from him. But starting out, let's not turn off people. I use them and anything else I can find to plant seeds, and I don't have problems.
Well understand that Luke has a business he is involved in. There are conveniences in extra stuff but you don't need it. I just bought a bunch of domed seed sets because they are easier than stuffing different recycled containers in trays under my lights. I need to save as much room as possible because I sell my plants through Annie Joe's Plants from my home in AZ
I prefer deep trays, I'm the one always trying to carry stuff with just one hand 😂 I don't know how many pots I've dropped due to flimsy trays... 🫣😂
How I HATE dropping newly potted plants!😮😮😮