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!!

I use this blog as way to keep track of times and events for reference later in the year and years to come. This Sunday afternoon was spent cleaning out the remaining unused seeding trays, making fresh seeding soil mix and seeding up 8 more trays. I have found that making your own seeding soil is not only easy but a fraction of the cost of bagged seed starting mix. There are lots of great DIY seeding mix recipes but I have found that a 3:1 or 2:1 mix of Peat Moss / Perlite does well keeping the soil moist but also keeping it draining well. I mix it with water and let it soak. The right mixture is when it clumps nicely when you ball it up in your hand but it is not drenched.

First up was our favorite heirloom tomatoes!

• San Marzano
  • San Marzano tomatoes are a type of Italian plum tomato known for their sweet and slightly tangy flavor, meaty texture, and low acidity. They are prized by chefs and are commonly used in Italian cuisine, especially in tomato sauces for pasta dishes. San Marzano tomatoes are long and cylindrical with a slightly pointed end and a bright red color. They are considered to be sweeter and less acidic than other varieties of plum tomatoes, and are grown in the volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius in Italy. These make up half of the tomatoes we grow. Perfect for sauce and sun dried tomatoes!
• Mariglobe
  • Mariglobe tomatoes are a variety of tomato known for their juicy, sweet flavor and high sugar content. They are medium to large in size, round, and have a bright red color. They are often used for slicing and eating fresh, as well as in salads and sandwiches. Mariglobe tomatoes are known for their high yield and are often grown commercially due to their ability to withstand shipping and handling. They are also popular among home gardeners due to their relatively low maintenance and resistance to common tomato plant diseases. Mariglobe tomatoes are prized for their sweet, juicy flavor and versatility in cooking and are a popular choice for many gardeners and chefs.
• Bonnie Best
  • Bonnie Best tomatoes are a variety of tomato known for their high yields and delicious flavor. They are medium to large in size, round, and have a bright red color. They are popular among home gardeners for their easy-to-grow nature and resistance to common tomato plant diseases. Bonnie Best tomatoes are often used for slicing and eating fresh, as well as in salads and sandwiches. They are known for their sweet, juicy flavor and are a popular choice for those looking for a tasty tomato variety to grow in their home garden. Additionally, Bonnie Best tomatoes are highly productive and provide a steady supply of tomatoes throughout the growing season.
• Sweety
  • Sweety cherry tomatoes are a variety of cherry tomato known for their sweet, juicy flavor and bright yellow color. They are small in size, typically around 1 inch in diameter, and have a round shape. They are often used for snacking, in salads, and as a garnish due to their sweet taste and bright color. Sweety cherry tomatoes are popular among home gardeners and are easy to grow, producing large yields and maturing early in the season. They are also a good source of vitamins and antioxidants, making them a healthy addition to any diet. Sweety cherry tomatoes are prized for their sweet flavor, attractive color, and ease of growth, making them a popular choice for both home gardeners and commercial farmers.
• Delicious
  • These guys are monsters! Have had them well over 1lb! Delicious tomatoes are a variety of tomato known for their large size and sweet, juicy flavor. They are round in shape and have a bright red color, often weighing up to a pound or more. They are often used for slicing and eating fresh, as well as in salads and sandwiches. Delicious tomatoes are popular among home gardeners for their easy-to-grow nature and resistance to common tomato plant diseases. They are also prized by commercial growers for their large size and high yield.

Error thrown

Call to undefined function wp_unique_id_from_values()