When we first started doing our own seed starting, like everyone, we went and bought the Jiffy seed starter trays and pots. They were inexpensive and did the trick, or so we thought. The next year when we pulled them out to reuse they were in pretty poor shape. The linings of the plastic seed cells is so thin that most had cracked at best were pretty scrunched up. Well no worries, we’ll use them and get a few more, their cheap right? That process repeated over the next few years and our collection of cheap barely reusable Jiffy trays grew. Some from the original purchase were no longer usable. Not only had the cell walls split, but the trays cracked and would not hold water or support the cells. Also the lids cracked and got weak and barely functioned.
Heading into our forth year of seed starting, I started really investigating options for sturdy reusable seed trays. I learned a lot including that they were called a 1020 tray. That got me on the right track. I then found trays labeled as heavy duty, extra heavy duty and mega heavy duty! I also found the 6 cell tray inserts that are made of the same material. They make heavy duty clear lids too! Some lids have tall domes with humidity vents.
Last year I did the math on what I’ve used in the past and what I was looking at buying in the future. The Jiffy trays and lids run between $8 to $13 a piece depending on where you buy the trays. Lets just say $9. I’ve probably bought 10 in the last 5 years and at this point they are all pretty much useless. I’d need to buy 10 more since my garden has expanded. And in a few years I’d need 10 more, and so on just to have 10 on hand for use. In this real example I’d be looking at spending $300 and would have been dealing with junk year after year and ended up with nothing in the end.
I opted to buy the best 1020 trays, cell inserts and lids I could reasonably find that if taken care of would last for years and years if not for the duration of my gardening life. I probably spent $35 – $50 on 10 heavy duty trays. Then I spend another $35 to $50 on the 120 6 cell tray inserts needed to fill 10 trays. Finally I bought the 10 clear lids which are also heavy duty to cover the 1020 seed trays. I think in total, with free shipping I was out under $200. What I got in return was 10 trays, cells and lids that would last and last and provide year after year of beautiful seedlings for our garden. I think this lesson I learned transcends into every aspect of life and gardening. There is nothing cheap about buying cheap! Spend your money wisely and buy the best quality you can afford. You’ll save a lot more in the long run!
I’m going to follow this article up with a video and write up comparing the types of 1020 seeding trays available and what my experience and opinion is on them! Stay Tuned!!
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