DIY Seed Starters, the easy way

Yes its true, you can buy the seed starters and makes your life hassle free. All you have to do is add water. BUT where is the FUN in that. Gardening is meant to be fun and stress relieving. 

Some time ago I researched into seed starters trying to find a simple method that anyone can use. Read blogs, watch Youtube videos and was even tempted to buy some online. Then my DIY subconscious kicked in. Why waste money when I can easily knock one up. 

You can use recycled toilet cardboard rolls, folded newspapers into pots and a whole range of other recyclable items from the home. Then I found this idea. The beauty of this method is that it has no external casing. Nothing to decompose, nothing to stop the roots from spreading when you pot it into its new individual pots later. 

Here is my simple method of making seed starters.

What do you need?

1) PVC Piping

2) Matured Compost

3) Coco Peat

4) Vermiculite, Perlite and/or coarse river sand. 

5) A tray to hold the seed starters

Here I am using a PVC piping with 40mm ( 1 5/8" ) in diameter. You can use any diameter PVC piping you see fit but I chose this as the seeds starters produce using this hold moisture well and they will be big enough to hold any of the seeds you want to sow. 

Right now my latest passion is collecting Hot Chilli Pepper plants. So the seeds fits nicely with this size seed starters. 

Cut a section of the pipe to about 3 inches long (8 cm long). (HINT: You may also cut the pipe exactly to the height you require for the seed starter pots so that it removes the need to guess each height ). Make sure one side is flat. 

Now to prepare the seed starter mix for moulding. 

In this picture you can see my mixture. 

1) Fresh matured organic compost 20%, 

2) Coco Peat 50%

3) Vermiculite and Coarse river sand 30%

Mix these ingredients first, much like mixing dry ingredients for a bread dough. Making sure you have an even mixture throughout the batch. If the compost is still wet then make sure you break it up and rub it into the dry ingredients to make smaller tiny pieces or chunks. 

When you are satisfied with the mixture, add water little at a time to make the mixture into a sticky dough texture. This will allow the seed starter pot to hold its shape later. How much water should you add??? Well, my rule of thumb is that I will add water a little at a time and knead it in. Then attempt to make a ball the size of my palm. If the ball cracks or cannot hold its shape, i will add more water. When there is enough water, the ball should not crumble when you squeeze it in your palm. Another test is that it holds its shape without breaking when you hold it with two fingers. 

Now it's time to make the pots. Place the PVC on the tray where you will be keeping the seed starters. Scoop in your seeding mixture up to the height you want the seed starters to be. I would recommend 2 inches tall (5cm). I found this height has better water retention for seed starting. 

Now using the back end of a spade or a round piece of wood or plastic, tap down and compress the mixture in the pipe. Do not press too hard as the root will need to be able to spread through the pot. Here I am using the back end of a weed puller making sure all round has  been compressed and firm. 

While the tapping stick is still in the pipe, slide the PVC pipe up to reveal you perfect moulded seed starter pot. Voila. As easy as chips. If the back end of the spade handle is rounded you will find that the seed starter pot will have a bowl like depression in the middle. This is good thing to have. It will concentrate the moisture to the seed when you are watering it later. 

Now using some sort of sharp tool, pin or knife, make a hole in the middle of the pot for the seed to rest and grow. 

There you go. All done. Simple and fast. Below you can see how I have placed them in a tray and kept them moist using a spray bottle. If the tray is placed in a windy area, the pots have a tendency dry out faster. You can reduce this effect by putting some kitchen stretch wrap on the tray or keep the whole tray in an enclosed area. Here I am sprouting some chilli peppers - super hots.

You have a choice to let the seedling grow and mature in these pots or move them to their individual pots. The method of seed pots will stop roots from coming out as the air circulating around the pot will provide a natural barrier. Now when the seedling is ready you just lift up the whole seed starter pot and place it into its new home.

There you go. Hope you have fun trying. Happy Gardening y'all.