We’re going to focus on two things here. The first one is saving money on a required gardening practice—seed starting. The second one is ignoring the fact that we’re heading straight for deep winter and instead thinking about spring. We’re going to deny that we have months on end of cold weather and sleeping plants.

We’ll refuse to acknowledge that by the time the robins drag in the spring, we’ve literally been starved of fluffy soil, seed planting, and garden nurturing. Is it any wonder that by the time spring comes, we gardeners are ready to whip out the wallet and purchase whatever it takes to get our vegetable seedlings going?

Stop doing that. Getting those baby seedlings going is the shortest part of the growing cycle. Spend accordingly! Save your money for super important things like more tomato seed varieties, a mulching mower, or Felco pruners.

You can start right now by making a little space on a garage shelf or hidden box and begin saving little containers for seed starting. I promise you’ll collect more recycled items that you can believe and it’s really weird not to spend any  money this spring on new plastic seed cells or pots. And by “weird” I mean awesome in a justified-other-garden-purchases sort of way.

Seeds will also appreciate a little babying while they germinate by giving them some humidity. If you don’t have a plastic lid, you can make a cover out of plastic baggies and bamboo sticks or chopsticks to hold it in place over the container(s).

Seed container ideas:

• Yogurt cups
• Toilet paper (cut in half) or paper towel rolls (cut about four times)
• Sour cream containers
• Cottage cheese containers
• Egg cartons and their lids (even half-egg shells for that matter)
• Plastic milk or juice containers (cut the top off and use the bottom, then use the top as a cloche)
• Paper, plastic, or Styrofoam cups
• Salad or sandwich plastic deli trays (built in lid!)
• Those tiny, snack-size Ben & Jerry ice cream containers

You get the idea. Be sure to wash the containers out thoroughly, and don’t forget your drainage holes.

For links to articles, blog posts, and videos on starting vegetable and flower seeds, see All About Starting Seeds.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Nothers RooTrimmer 50 Cell, 10pcs

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50 cell plastic seedling deep trays, each size is 3.54" deep, big holes, side 1.89" x 1.89", hold larger volume of the soil which can be better for trees, longer rhizomas or similar tall growing plants. Fits for standard 10" 20" trays. 10pcs per pack trays, thicker and more durable, 1mm thick trays for long term use, sturdy to carry and transport. Indoor or greenhouse propagation or nursery is good.

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Burpee Organic Coconut Coir Concentrated Seed Starting Mix, 16 Quart

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ORGANIC COCONUT COIR: Made from recycled coconut husks, coir is a light, sustainable growing medium that holds the perfect amount of moisture for starting seeds. 100% biodegradable soil alternative. Environmentally friendly and a renewable alternative to peat moss. OMRI listed and certified organic. IDEAL GROWING MIX: Improve seed germination and root growth with this premium coconut fiber mix, which improves nutrients absorption! Great for flower, vegetable, herb, and more plant types. OMRI listed. Naturally disease and pathogen resistant, it will help you grow healthy live plants. EASY TO STORE & EXPAND: Each compact coconut coir brick expands into 8 quarts of seed starting mix, providing 16 quarts total. Just add water to expand! Dehydrated bricks save space until planting. Once expanded, coconut coir provides a quality growing medium for all types of plants—indoor plants, house plants, outdoor plants, and more! NATURALLY CONSERVES WATER: Renewable coco coir has excellent moisture retention and better air circulation than peat. This eco-friendly, premium seeds starting mix combines well with other potting soil and compost for container plants & raised beds. 100% GUARANTEED: Burpee is committed to the success of all gardeners. We treat each order with care to ensure healthy seeds, plants, soil mixes, and gardening supplies are sent in excellent condition. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, we aim to make it right!

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Gardzen 3-Pack 72 Gallons Garden Bag

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High Quality Fabric - Gardzen Garden Waste Bags are made from 4.4oz/yd2 (150g/㎡) durable polypropylene fabric that can withstand heavy loads and rough handling. Please note that they should not be left out in the sun for long periods. Environmentally Friendly - These reusable yard waste bags are an environmentally friendly choice as they can be used over and over again, unlike disposable bags. The strong handles make it easy to carry the bags, even when they are full. These garden bags for debris allow you to complete your gardening tasks efficiently and effectively, while minimising waste and promoting sustainability. Large Capacity - With a height of 30 inches and a diameter of 26 inches, there is plenty of room for a large amount of garden waste. Whether it's leaves, branches or grass clippings, these yard waste containers can handle it all. A Must-Have For Gardeners - these leaf bags are an essential tool for managing garden waste and can make your gardening tasks much more efficient. The large capacity and durable construction make them ideal for storing and transporting various items. The yard bags can also be folded and stored compactly when not needed, saving valuable space. Package Included - A great value set of 3pcs heavy duty lawn and leaf bags. 3pcs white plastic hoops. There are 2pcs double stitched webbing handles in the top and 1pc strong webbing corner handles in the bottom.

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