Where to find cheap seed flats?

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I was wondering does anyone know of a supplier for seed starting plant flats? I need a bunch more. Walmart wants $3 a tray. I always buy when they go on sale and save mine each year but due to a house fire we lost our big pile we had saved? Thanks much- Sherrie

-- Sheryl Clifton (Bryrpatch35@aol.com), April 28, 2002

Answers

yard sale season is starting - maybe look around while you're out & about - I've found some great potting stuff at yard sales

-- heather (h.m.metheny@att.net), April 28, 2002.

Egg cartons work in an emergency shortage, just punch holes for drainage and split then lengthwise and use the top as catch basins.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), April 28, 2002.

If you don't need the individual seed starter pocket trays that go into the flats, you can easily make a seed tray using heavy cardboard cartons and plastic garbage bags. Trim the box down to where the sides are only 3 or 4 inches high, slip the box into a plastic garbage bag, tuck the ends of the bag in and tape them down. I found some flat heavy duty cartons at the grocery store that were used for canned goods, I have several of them made up that are holding 3 inch pots of geraniums out in the greenhouse. If you need el cheapo plant pots, get a big package of plastic or styrofoam drinking cups, and cut some drainage holes in the bottom. You can get a 100 count package of various sized cups for a couple dollars at Walmart.

-Chelsea

-- Chelsea (rmbehr@istar.ca), April 28, 2002.


Sherrie,

You might want to check out your nearest farm supply type store. I get mine at the local Farmers' Union for $ .79 each with a discount if you buy 10 or more.

-- Murray in ME (lkdmfarm@megalink.net), April 28, 2002.


Check out BFG Supply at www.bfgsupply.com, A case of 50 flats runs about $15.00, 100 48count packs goes for about $30.00.

-- JJ Grandits (JJGBDF@aol.com), April 28, 2002.


Good ideas Chelsea, you've got my wheels turning. But for Farmers market starts I can't help but think those big nursuries have a cheaper supplier somewhere?

-- Sheryl Clifton (Bryrpatch35@aol.com), April 29, 2002.

I have stopped bothering with planting trays, I use empty cans (they can even be recycled after), yogurt containers, plastic or foam cups (those are really cheap). I also make all manner of trays,anything with an edge can be lined in plastic.

-- Chenoa (ganter@primus.ca), April 29, 2002.

You don't mention where you are located but here on the West Coast there is a great wholesale garden supply that will sell to retail walk-in customers from their samples room. You buy by the pound every kind of flat, insert, plastic pot, etc. Very cheap. Their name is McConkey Company Proffesional Grower Supply and they have warehouses in Sumner Washington, Wilsonville Oregon, Stockton California, and Garden Grove California. I have only dealt with the one in Washington so don't know about the others. I don't believe you can order retail quantities from them and have them shipped as you would from a retail catalog as they are suppliers for big growers. I think walking in is the only way to get small quantities. They are a great company to work with if you do need large quantities for a working farm. You can find them on the net at McConkeyco.com. Site is a little hard to use.

Hope this helps someone.

Sara

-- Sara Perry (momofseven@home.com), April 29, 2002.


By the way Sheryl, are you possibly related to the Clifton's from Seattle Washington?

Sara

-- Sara (momofseven@home.com), April 29, 2002.


Hi Sheryl, My husband works for the town by where we live and it's amazing how many seed flats he brings home on garbage day. People use them once and I guess, don't want to clean them up. I wash them good in bleach water and use them year after year until they just don't work anymore. I also use the styrofoam and yogurt cups but only for transplanting. I like the flats and individual cells depending on what I'm planting because they're bigger and hold so much. So what I'm saying, I guess, is when people start planting outside in your area drive around and see how many flats etc. they've thrown away that you can pick up for nothing. Maybe too late for this year but will be nice for next.

Happy gardening!!!

-- Anna in Iowa (countryanna54@hotmail.com), April 29, 2002.



we used to go to the local cemetery people seem to think it was ok to throw them in toe woods around the perimeter.

-- Don Amon (peacelane@certainty.net), May 01, 2002.

hey I think I meant to the woods

-- Don Amon (peacelane@certainty.net), May 01, 2002.

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