I was just beginning my gardening journey, fascinated as tiny seeds transformed into growing plants.

But as my deck and office turned into a makeshift propagation station for dozens of eager seedlings, I also witnessed the less enchanting side of the process: the pile of cracked and warped plastic trays that seemed to grow as fast as my plants.

These trays weren't made to last and were a part of the throwaway culture that infiltrates many hobbies - even eco-conscious ones like gardening and homesteading.

This is a conundrum that a lot of us are awakening to, but it's especially disheartening when one of the reasons why you're gardening is to sequester carbon and reduce your carbo footprint.

In a world where single-use plastics are suffocating our oceans and landfills, the environmental impact of our gardening practices can't be ignored. The journey to a truly sustainable backyard isn't just about what we grow, but also how we grow it.

In this post, I'll share what I see as the two most eco-friendly and durable seed starting methods. One is a newer player in the seed starting world, and the other is a long-time classic method that often gets overlooked. These two seed starting gadgets are BIFL (Buy it for Life) material that have revolutionized my gardening and could do the same for yours.

The Trouble with Traditional Seed Starting

When I first started with my garden journey, I, like many others, could only really find traditional plastic seed trays. You know the ones - they crinkle, they crack, they crumble - even if they look durable in their first season.

If you've ever had your seed starting trays or cells break while moving them in and out of the house while hardening them off, then you know the pain of the result of broken propagation containers: fragile seedlings and soil across the carpet.

Now your hopes and dreams are tumbling in a cascade of soil and disappointment.

Furthermore, the financial strain of this cycle of disposability isn't insignificant. The cost of replacing these trays season after season can accumulate, turning what should be a cost-saving, self-sufficient endeavor into an investment with diminishing returns.

I was frustrated with this component of gardening. It was time to find a way to nurture my plants that aligned with the nurturing nature of our Earth.

The only seed starting trays I’ll ever buy: The Epic Seed Starting Bundle

Here is an option that is eco friendly, sustainable, AND long lasting seed starting trays.

Now, let me be clear by saying: these are plastic.

BUT they areas durable as all heck. Buy them once, and never need to replace them, even when growing in them continuously.

Here are the benefits of these wildly resistant seed starting cells and trays:

• you can literally stand on one of them and it won’t break
• I’ve dropped mine because I’m clumsy, they hold strong
• they don’t get funky if you leave them in the sun or greenhouse
• made with recycled food-safe BPA-free plastic
• really easy to remove plants
• plants naturally root prune

The day that Kevin (the Epic Gardening guy) made a video announcing that these were available in his shop, I bought a 120 pack and never looked back.

Meaning - I've gone through several gardening seasons with them and have not had them break, crack, or warp. They each get planted in multiple times throughout the growing season too, as Iike to succession sow and so I'm always transplanting into the garden and then starting more seeds in these trays.

The universal bottom trays are just as strong. You can carry one in each hand and not have them bend under the weight of te seed starting cells.

Tips for Using the Epic Seed Starting Cells and Bottom Trays

• Bottom water:These were made for bottom watering - which is better for the health of your plants and easier to manage.
• Flexible soil mix: Since the seed trays hold the soil for you, you can be more flexible with your soil mix as opposed to soil blockers (as I'll outline below)
• Easy to sanitize: Between planting, I clean the 6-cells with dish soap and water, or diluted vinegar. This helps stop any disease from spreading.
• Indoors or Outdoors: I like how sturdy these are for both indoor and outdoor seed starting. They work really well for both situations.

The Soil Blocker: Revolutionizing Seed Starting

The most eco friendly seed starting method in my opinion is the Soil Blocker

Let me sing the praises of the often over-looked soil blocker:

• plastic-free
• buy once, use the soil blocker season after season
• easy to move plants from seed starting trays into the garden
• plants naturally root prune
• fiberglass option for trays is sustainable, long lasting - and you can run them through the dishwasher to disinfect between growing

Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Soil Blocker

Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Before you begin your soil-blocking escapade, get your essentials:

• A soil blocker tool, obviously
• A big container to hold the soil
• Seed starting mix (preferably a peat-free, organic blend for maximum sustainability)
• Seeds of choice
• A tray or container to hold your soil blocks (fiberglass options are durable and dishwasher-safe)
• Water (for moistening the soil mix)

Step 2: Prepare Your Soil Mix
The perfect soil for this process is all about consistency. Like a good snowball, it needs to hold together well.

Combine your seed starting mix with water until it clumps in your hand but isn't dripping wet. This moisture balance is vital for your soil blocker to form blocks that are firm yet nurturing. Put it in a large container so you can manuver the soil blocker around.

Step 3: Press and Release
Plunge your soil blocker into the container with the prepared mix. Get that blocker packed to the brim.

Then, with the grace of a gardener who knows the true value of patience, press the blocker down onto your tray and release. Marvel as you create neat, self-contained units ready to cradle your seeds.

Step 4: Sow Your Seeds
Now for the magic—sowing. Place a seed (or two, depending on size) atop each block. Some blockers come with a dibble that makes a small indentation perfect for your seeds.

Gently press them into their earthy beds, whispering words of encouragement (optional, but highly recommended).

Step 5: Watch Them Grow
With the seeds sown, move your tray to a warm spot with ample light. Water carefully with a bottom watering strategy, just enough to keep the blocks moist but not waterlogged. Then, watch nature's wonder unfold as your seedlings emerge, their roots cozy in the embrace of their soil block.

Troubleshooting and Tips:

• If your blocks crumble, the mix is likely too dry. Add moisture and try again.
• If they stick in the blocker, the mix is too wet. Let it dry slightly, or add more dry mix.

Create a Sustainable Garden from Seed to Harvest

That’s it. Easy 1-2. Eco friendly, sustainable, AND long lasting seed starting trays are the perfect solution for environmentally conscious gardeners who want to reduce their carbon footprint while still cultivating beautiful plants.

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