You Can DIY This Seed Starter Kit With Stuff Lying Around the House

diy seed starter

Even if it’s too early to plant outdoors, eager gardeners can still prep their plants for potting with seed starters. After all, watching seedlings first sprout up from the soil is so rewarding. This kit from our class DIY Weekend Gardens is made from objects you probably already have around the house — just add seeds!

Seed Starter Kit

Level: Easy

What You Need

  • Cardboard egg carton
  • Scissors
  • Tray
  • Sand
  • Soil
  • Spoon
  • Pen
  • Seeds
  • Plastic water bottles, one for each seed
  • Box cutter or knife
  • Grow light (optional)
  • Instructions

    1. Cut the Carton

    Cut an egg carton into individual cups. You’ll need one for each seed.

    2. Pour the Sand

    Find an old tray and fill it with sand. Spread the sand until it’s evenly distributed and place the cups on top. They should be a bit spread out, with a few inches in between each one.

    3. Plant the Seeds

    Use a spoon to fill each cup with soil. Then make a hole for your seeds; you can use a pen or any other long thin tool to do this. Drop one seed into each hole and cover it with soil.

    4. Cut the Water Bottles

    With a box cutter or knife, punch a hole in the top third of a plastic water bottle. Then cut around the bottle with scissors, removing the top dome. Repeat until you have one dome for each seed.

    5. Water and Cover

    Give each seed some water, then settle a dome over the top. Place the kit under a grow light or on a sunny windowsill.

    6. Watch and Wait!

    Before too long (and depending on the seeds you planted) you should start seeing little sprouts. Transfer these seedlings to their forever pots (or out to your garden) when they’re ready, and store your seed starter kit for next season!

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    4 Responses to “You Can DIY This Seed Starter Kit With Stuff Lying Around the House”

    1. John Wright

      Best easy method I've seen and the results are fantastic!

    2. Wanda H Bellamy

      another cute idea is use muffin pans - mini or regular size - put your muffin paper in the pan cups, your clump of soil and the seed. Mist with water bottle and wait for pop-up. The bottle covers may also be used to provide moisture.

    3. Wendy

      I take the clear egg carton. Fill each cavity with soil and plant a seed in each. Just close the egg carton lid, water, and wait for the sprouts. It is an inclosed system.

    4. Dianna

      Great idea