Don't Waste Your Money Starting Seeds
Seed starting can be simple and easy if you have a little knowledge. It can also save you a ton of cash if you can master this skill. If you currently buy plant starts from nurseries, then you are spending a ton of cash on something you could do yourself for just pennies. You can start a whole garden to feed your family for under $20. Read on to find out what you need to get started and save a ton of cash.
Equipment:
You don't need a fancy greenhouse or expensive lighting equipment to start your own seeds. But you do need some basic supplies. You are going to need seeds, seed starting mix, seed trays, and lights. That's basically all you need!
You could spend a fortune on all of the garden gimmicks available to start seeds. Don't be fooled. You don't need any of those over-priced contraptions being sold. Keep things simple and cheap, and you will enjoy the same success as other gardeners who start their own seeds.
Seeds:
I always purchase my seeds at the end of the season, usually around August-November. Seed companies reduce their prices in order to get rid of excess stock during this time. You can save a ton on seeds by planning ahead. Learn to stock up at the end of the season when the sales are everywhere.
If you didn't already purchase your seeds in advance, then you can purchase some now, but make sure you shop around. Prices vary wildly, so do your research to get the best prices. Beware of shipping prices too. Some nurseries offer great prices on seeds, but then
charge you up to $10 in shipping costs. Don't bother with them. You would be better off going to a large DIY store and purchasing more expensive seeds. You don't need a bunch of variety, just a few basic vegetables and herbs at a decent price.
Always buy heirloom or open-pollinated seeds. This will allow you to save your own seeds in the future, saving you even more cash. Hybrid seeds will not give you the same type of plant if you collect seeds from them. There is nothing wrong with hybrid seeds, and sometimes it may be all that is offered. But if you have a choice, always stick with heirlooms so you can save the seeds.
Seed Starting Mix:
You always want to use a sterile seed starting mix. Using dirt from your garden, or regular potting mix just won't work very well. Here is another great example of the wild prices some places charge. There all all kinds of "special" mixes that solicit superior benefits, but just stick with a basic organic mix as cheap as you can find.
I buy my mix at Walmart. Yep. I pay $5 a bag for an organic sterile mix. I need 1 bag to fill three 72-cell trays. Believe it or not, this is the cheapest and most reliable mix I can find in my area. I usually won't suggest to people to shop at Walmart, but in this case, it's your best option. You don't need the fancy stuff here.
Seed Trays:
I use plastic trays that are 10x20 with 72-cell inserts to go inside the trays. You can re-use these trays for years, they can be disinfected, and they are the cheapest planter available.
There are so many innovations for seed trays lately that you could blow your entire budget on buying just a few. Don't be fooled here either! Stick with the cheap and simple. And don't go to Amazon to find the best deals. You are going to have to shop around.
I pay $2.19 per tray and $2.34 for a 72-cell insert. But if you don't want the hassle of researching the best price or your time is limited, then again, Walmart has the next best thing. Walmart sells complete trays with inserts and a dome for $5. These plastic trays won't last as many years as the ones I currently purchase, but you will definitely get your money's worth. I currently buy my trays from several different companies based on the fluctuating prices since I only buy them every 5-7 years, so I don't use a regular supplier.
Lights:
This is the most expensive purchase you will make to start your seeds, but you can keep it simple and make it affordable. You do not have to use "grow lights" to start seeds. LED's and specialty lights can cost a few hundred dollars and up. You don't need these lights no matter what you read.
I use a simple 4-foot double bulb shop light that can be purchased for $20 at your local DIY store. I use one cool bulb and one warm bulb to get a larger spectrum of light in each lamp. These lights come with chains so you can hang them and adjust the level of light for your plants.
Hopefully, these quick tips will help you get started now for under $40. Once you have purchased your lights and trays, your yearly cost could be as low as $10 per year depending on the size of your garden.
Good luck on your seed starting this year! Please feel free to email me any questions or leave a comment below!
Want to learn how to start seeds? Check out my video: https://youtu.be/y1I8pFUuaH4
