What do you do with plastic seedling containers?

9 years ago

Bought a lot of seedlings today. Have tons of the plastic containers left over. Many varieties: round, square, 4 plexes and 6 plexes.

Typically I direct sow or buy cheap starter seedlings so I don't have any use for these (at least for the foreseeable future).

Post for fee on Craigslist?
Recycle?
Take back to small nursery I bought from?
Anyone here want them?

Comments (4)

gardenper
9 years ago
I keep a few for starting seedlings with my own mix. I figure when it gets to about 4-6 " then it's just like the ones from the store, so that kind of container should be OK.

Otherwise, I offer them free to others who may need them in my local area. Finally, if no takers, then I recycle them at a place that takes them. For example, Lowes usually will take the pots for recycle.
Carol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
9 years ago
Lowes! They recycle any brand/shape/kind of nursery pot.
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In the Southland I would think direct sowing would be easier. You didn't say what you were sowing, but if it is common annuals direct sowing would be much easier all around. In any case when I sow seeds in a container for transplant later, I just use those small black 6-packs that nurseries sell their stuff in. Use seed starting mix to fill the 6 pack. Put the 6 pack so it sits in water (an upside down frisbee works good for this, or a plate or cookie sheet would work) and once the soil gets soaked, remove 6 pack from frisbee and sow your seed. Then add bright light and warmth. Success! Seeds want to grow and will if you don't get in the way. Whenever your 6 pack looks dry or is very light when you pick it up, it is time to water again. Watering from the bottom as described above is best as the top is not disturbed. And the seed starting soil mixes are easy to break apart to single out your seedlings for transplanting. I've never been a fan of peat pots, but that is not important. Hope these tips help.
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~~~ If they sprout by the end of this weekend, April 10, can I keep them in the 2 inch deep cells until April 24th? ~~~ 1x1x2" is plenty for a 14 day old plant but they can grow surprisingly fast. ~~~ Then I plan to pick the best seedlings and put them in 2 by 2, 4 inch deep cells. That should be just enough space to get me to plant them about 2 weeks later after my last frost date of May 3. ~~~ Those container sizes should be fine for the time frame you're describing. In the past, I've always pushed them and had good success with getting very early toms for my area but I've only had a few to deal with and could handle doing what it took to protect them. Lately I've been reading that pushing them too hard into soil too cool can cause permanent root stunting. Not sure I'm buyin the permanent part but am planning to take it at a slower pace, at least as slow as reasonable and space allows.
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hi jbrooklyn! you are my first taker. great that you are in park slope too. if you're still interested, send me an email and let's see what time is best for both of us. my email is mimikatzchen - at - yahoo - dot - com. thanks!
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vera_eastern_wa
9 years ago
Well I use them to wintersow or start things indoors....of course LOL! I have gazillions of these....4-packs, 6 packs, 2", 4", seedling trays to carry them in and so on :)

Vera
terrene
9 years ago
I stack the big ones up along the side of the garage, which is out of the way and doesn't mar my view of anything. The smaller ones are rinsed out and stored in a big plastic container inside the garage.

I use them for various purposes - winter-sowing, spring sowing, over-wintering plants in the garage (this past winter I had approx. 40 containers of various sizes in the garage), plant swaps or giveaways, plant sales, and when I move from the current house I hope to bring LOTS of plants with me.

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What do you do with plastic seedling containers?

Comments (4)

gardenper

Carol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)

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vera_eastern_wa

terrene

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