Seed Starting Kits For Your Garden - Are They Worth The Price?

You may have seen seed starting kits, like this one on Amazon, which comes with labels, plastic growing trays, humidity domes, seeding tools, and pots all for under $20. This seems like a lot of items, but are these seed starting kits really worth the price? House Digest spoke exclusively with Sam Arthurs, gardens manager of Local Matters and freelance editor at House Digest, to learn her thoughts on these seed starter kits.

"I'm sorry to say that like many gardening questions, I could answer with: it depends," Arthurs said. "In most cases though, I would say yes, seed starting kits can be worth the price. It depends on the actual quality of the kit materials, how much space you have, and your experience level. If you want to start seeds indoors for your garden, and you aren't on a budget so strict that $20 will take food off of your table, I would say you can definitely find good starter kits that include a base tray, a segmented tray or pots, and a lid with a vent."

Arthurs also shared that you may have to add extra items to help embellish your kit, such as a grow light or a heating pad. She said that no matter what kit you buy, you will need to purchase seed starting soil mix for a sterile and non-fertilized starter. You will also have to consider what seeds you should start indoors and why it matters.

While a seed starting kit may be a great idea for some people, there are instances when this is not the best option. During House Digest's exclusive interview with Sam Arthurs, she shared more about the value of these starters. "Kits may not be worth the money to a gardener who does not have room for many new seedlings. Typically, in just one unit of a kit (one water tray, seed tray, and lid), you are germinating at least six individual plants, but it's usually much more," Arthurs explained. "So if your goal is to sprout enough basil seeds on your windowsill to fill a small pot, you will not likely need a seed starting kit. On the other end of the spectrum, a large-scale production should look for wholesale options for trays and will likely need a greenhouse."

If you do decide to purchase a kit, it's important to know what to look for. Arthurs suggested starting by looking at reviews and determining how many units you get. Then, she said you should look for the following items in the kit — a base tray, a seed tray, a lid, and if possible, a vent within the lid to prevent mold. Don't worry about labels, as you can always make these on your own. "If it isn't convenient, it isn't worth the price," Arthurs said. "I would also check if the kit is reusable."

As you look into various starter kits, you may start wondering if there are other options instead, like using eggshells as seed starters or reusing empty food containers as perfect DIY seed starters. According to House Digest's exclusive interview with Sam Arthurs, the answer is simple — of course! "Gardeners around the world are like wizards, starting seeds in all kinds of pots in all sorts of places," Arthurs said. "If the light, temperature, and humidity are all right, the seeds will germinate. You can start them in a bowl full of soil if you want. There are plenty of DIY tricks and tips to starting a variety of seeds in a variety of recycled containers, and I would encourage people to try that for the fun of the challenge."

Yet, seed starting kits are there for the convenience. They help a new gardener learn what they need to do in order to grow their plants. Arthurs explained that as the gardener gets more proficient, they can become more creative in finding more inexpensive options — like using a shop light as a grow light. "To find cheaper options, gardeners should learn the science behind the task they want to accomplish, and then the sky is their limit," Arthurs said. "Until then, that $20 can go a long way."