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Easy DIY Seed Starting System Ideas

Easy DIY Seed Starting System Ideas

Starting seeds indoors is an excellent way to get a jumpstart on your garden and extend your growing season. While you can purchase seed starting kits, building your own system is not only cost-effective but can also be a fun DIY project. Here are 12 easy DIY seed starting system ideas to inspire your creativity.

  1. Egg Cartons Egg cartons make great seed starters, especially for small seeds like herbs or lettuce. Simply fill each section with potting soil, plant your seeds, and keep them moist.

  2. Milk Jugs Cut the top off a milk jug and use it as a mini greenhouse for your seedlings. You can also cut out the bottom to create a bottomless pot to plant directly in the ground.

  3. Toilet Paper Rolls Toilet paper rolls can be filled with soil and seeds, making for an easy biodegradable seed starter. Once the seedlings are ready to be planted, you can plant the entire roll directly in the ground.

  4. Plastic Bottles Cut off the top of a plastic bottle, poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage, and fill with potting soil and seeds. The bottle can be used as a mini greenhouse until the seedlings are ready to be transplanted.

  5. Shoe Organizer A shoe organizer can be repurposed into a vertical seed starting system. Simply fill each pocket with soil and plant your seeds.

  6. PVC Pipe Cut PVC pipe into sections and cap one end of each piece. Fill with soil and seeds and use the capped end as a drainage hole. These can be placed in a tray for easy transport.

  7. Ice Cube Trays Ice cube trays can be used for starting small seeds like herbs or flowers. Fill each section with soil, plant your seeds, and keep them moist.

  8. Salad Containers Empty salad containers can be reused as mini greenhouses. Fill with soil and seeds, place the lid on top, and use as a greenhouse until the seedlings are ready to be transplanted.

  9. Paper Cups Paper cups can be filled with soil and seeds and used as biodegradable seed starters. Once the seedlings are ready to be transplanted, simply plant the entire cup in the ground.

  10. Seedling Trays Seedling trays can be purchased, but you can also make your own by cutting cardboard or plastic trays into sections and filling them with soil and seeds.

  11. Windowsill Greenhouse A simple greenhouse can be made by covering a tray of seedlings with plastic wrap or a clear plastic bag and placing it on a sunny windowsill.

  12. Repurposed Containers Repurpose old containers like yogurt cups, takeout containers, or cans into seed starters. Simply fill with soil and seeds, and make sure to create drainage holes.

With these DIY seed starting system ideas, you can start your garden with ease and save money while doing it. Happy gardening!