Get A Jump Start On Gardening With A DIY Seedling Tray On A Dollar Tree Budget

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When it comes to the weather, the one prediction we can make is that it's not always going to cooperate with our plans. For enthusiastic gardeners, that can be especially frustrating: most seeds are supposed to be planted six to eight weeks before the last expected frost date, and that means those seeds need to get their start indoors.

Fortunately for the impatient wannabe green thumb, TikTok creator @j.snow.co came up with a brilliant way to jumpstart her seed gardens. Her DIY seedling tray is comprised almost entirely of items available from Dollar Tree. You'll need a few supplies, including a clear plastic storage bin that can accommodate two Wire Storage Basket Trays and a 12-pack of Plastic Plant Starter Pots (each tray holds six). With countless ways to use Dollar Tree storage bins to organize, it was only a matter of time before someone brought them to the garden. Finally, you'll also need a thin spade for digging, a large bag of planting soil, and the seedlings of your choice, available at any garden store. 

The first step in making this DIY seedling tray is to clean your seed starting supplies. Wash everything with soap and water, then rinse with one part bleach to nine parts water to sterilize them. Once your supplies are dry, assemble the kit. Lay out your plastic bins, and put two wire trays into each. The wire trays keep the planters elevated for better watering. Next, use your spade to fill each pot with soil and place six planters in each tray. Dampen the soil with water, letting it absorb the water for an hour.

Plant your seeds according to the instructions on each seed packet. Gently cover each seed with dirt, and pour water into the bin until the bottom of the planters are submerged an inch deep. This is called bottom watering; the soil will absorb moisture from the bottom up, creating healthier roots and reducing the risk of disease. Put the lid on top of the bin to maintain a humid environment for your seedlings. 

Your seedling trays won't need sun until they sprout, but you'll need to make sure you have space near a window that gets lots of light. If you find they're not getting enough natural light, purchase a grow light, like the GooingTop Full Spectrum Clip LED Grow Light, or direct a desk lap at the seedlings, ideally using a bright LED bulb as they're the most efficient for delivering the light plants need.