If you’ve been reading the Life on the Balcony Facebook Page, then you know how much fun I have been having starting seeds in my potting shed (otherwise known as my garage). Part of the reason I’ve been having so much fun out there is that I have been using a new seed starting set (actually four new seed starting sets) from Burpee. What caught my eye was that they are biodegradable, but I didn’t expect them to be as thoughtfully put together as they are.
What’s Included in the Kit
I bought my kit at Target for $6.99. Included was a 36-cell tray made out of biodegradable corn-based plastic and a water catching receptacle that fits perfectly underneath. Inside each cell is a little soil pellet, that will expand to fill the cell with just the right amount of seed starting mix when water is added. A sample size packet of Espoma organic fertilizer is included so that you can keep your plants going strong once they’re ready to transplant. I use Espoma brand products a lot and like them.
Also included in the kit is a chart that shows all the cells in the tray. You can use this chart to write down what you sowed where. What’s nice is that each side of the tray is marked with a letter (A, B, C, D) and those letters are also on the chart. So that when you turn your tray to give each seedling equal access to the light, you won’t get confused.
How to Use the Seed Starting Kit
It couldn’t be more easy to use this kit. Set it on your table and examine the soil pellets. They should all be lying flat in the bottom of each cell (this helps them expand properly). Fill up a watering can (or a cup) with warm water and fill each cell about 2/3s full with water. You should see the seed pellets immediately start expanding and filling the cell. Once the pellets are completely expanded (about 5 minutes), use a chopstick or your finger to smooth out the soil. You’re ready to sow some seeds!
Once you transplant your seedlings, don’t throw the tray out. You can reuse it to grow a new batch of seedlings. Either pick up some seed starting mix at your local garden center, or buy replacement soil pellets from Burpee.
My Seed Starting Tips
- Use the chart to mark more data than just what was sowed in each cell. I marked when I sowed the seeds, when they germinated, and I’ll mark when I transplant them as well.
- Use an overhead florescent light and place it very close to the seedlings (a few inches from touching them). You can use CFLs for this, or regular florescent tubes and a shop fixture (Less than $10 at your hardware store).
- Even though the directions that come with the seed starting kit say to water from above, I use the water collecting tray to water from below. Simply fill it with water and allow the soil in each cell to wick up water. This is easier and carries less risk of damaging young seedlings.
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I bought the same kit this year too. I do like the coconut coir pellets over peat and I love the chart. I have a habit of forgetting what I plant and this was a big help. My one complaint was the lack of a dome or cover. I didn’t feel that the little sheet of plastic was sufficient.
Oh, I forgot to mention that they use coconut coir instead of peat, good that you mentioned it Kristi. Oddly enough, none of the seed starting sets I bought contained the plastic sheet, even though the directions referenced one. I’ve never liked using those things, so it’s not a loss for me. I suspect that they don’t include something like that because they can’t make clear bio-plastic. Just a guess tho. Because I saw that some of Burpee’s non-biodegradable kits included a dome.
GREAT news about the coir pellets. I’ve been looking for a reasonably priced alternative to the peat pellets that I love (except for the un-sustainability) Good to hear about these. Thanks for sharing.
hmmm, if I wasn’t swimming in an over-abundance of re-purposed Starbucks and other drink cups collected by friends I think I would invest in that!
There are two varieties of this kit out there. One with the germination film and one with the clear dome. Home Depot carries the germination film here in NH, I’ve seen the dome type at Target though.
I of course saw these and would love to get some but I’ve got a set already thats on its 5th year and pretty durable.
Home Depot also sold the pellet refills as well as a block of the coconut coir mix. 2.97 for the pellets and 2.37 or 2.47 for the blocks. They went quick though, so grab them when you see them. They only sent a half dozen as a refil every week.
Angela–Target carried both, but even though I bought the germination film variety, mine did not have any film inside. Good to know about HD carrying the refill pellets. I was just going to buy starting mix, but the pellets are so easy.
i’m a newbie to starting plants from seed, but i thought they were supposed to be kept in a dark, warm place until they sprouted?-or am i completely backwards and they need light (hence your suggestion to put a fluorescent light right above them?)- i’ve got gardening books, but some tips on how you actually go about getting those little seeds to sprout would be much appreciated!
Kahreen–Some seeds need light to germinate (the ones the seed packet instructs to just press into the surface of the soil, but not to cover them). The seeds that need darkness get the darkness they need by being covered with soil. There’s not any need to hide a newly sown seeds in a cabinet or anything like that.
I was mentioning having a light fixture that you place just a few inches away mostly to point out that once the seeds sprout, supplemental light will be required. A lot of people think that they can place seeds in a bright window and they’ll be fine. But most plants will not do well in that situation. So then people will get a light bulb for their plants but they put it 12 inches away, which is also insufficient. The light needs to be practically touching the seedlings.
thanks for the help on seeds! this is my new favorite blog, i LOVE my balcony and can’t wait to read all the new ideas and advice here!
I tried last year to sprout seedlings and did pretty well, until they were about 2 inches high. Then they suddenly started drooping and dying. I tried more water, less water, more light, less light, transplanting … everything I could think of. Every time I sprout seedlings they die after reaching 2-3 inches in height. What gives? Everything is kept on a west-facing balcony. Not the best place for growing things, but I have adult plants that are still thriving.
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