Indoor Seed Propagator - From Recycled Fruit & Veg Trays and Soda Cans

by Hey Jude in Living > Gardening

2885 Views, 51 Favorites, 0 Comments

Indoor Seed Propagator - From Recycled Fruit & Veg Trays and Soda Cans

IMG_5313.JPG
IMG_5213.JPG
IMG_5156.JPG
IMG_5157.JPG
IMG_5165.JPG
IMG_5159.JPG
IMG_5160.JPG
IMG_5310.JPG

I have to confess, I have a slight 'thing' for getting two different things to work together in a way they were not originally designed for! I made a Butterfly House, in much the same method as this - but realising that two Fruit/Veg Punnets can 'clam-shell' together to produced a Propagator to raise plants indoors.

Better yet by careful selection of various sizes of trays, one can even find:

1. A Transparent Cover
2. A Opaque Growing Tray
3. A Drip Tray for the Growing Tray to sit in.

The trick is pleasingly simple, and especially nice considering this cam be made in about 10minutes (even with an eager toddler beside you!), and cost far less than a shop bought one (around £3-£10, if you include P&P!).

I use this set-up to raise both indoor plants like herbs, but also for propagation in colder month of things that need to go out later in the year. I have also recently used it for taking cuttings of Rosemary.

If you liked it, please consider voting. Thanks =)

(All prizes go to my son - haha! I have not choice - any mail from the USA is too cool not to!)

Supplies

Two Matching Fruit/Veg Trays or Punnets.
I find Strawberry Punnets are good for the 'cover', and Mushrooms are good for the growing tray.
I'd usually post Amazon links, but clearly in this case, there is no need.
I used sticky tape in the 'quick' version, and a soda can for the 'pro' version.
The can can be cut with scissors, but a craft knife makes it easier to get started!
Pens help for marking up.
Optional: Baggies for spare seeds, spoon for handling seeds. Lollipop sticks for labels.

A Note on Seeds, Before We Get Started

IMG_5172.JPG
IMG_5173.JPG
IMG_5174.JPG
IMG_5175.JPG

I would recommend starting things like Tomatoes, Courgettes and Chillis in such propagators. I've done this for a number of years with great success. (Though I'd previously purchased the propagator trays, but y'know - because COVID!)

Anything with 'Sow Indoors' is a good candidate. But even with 'Sow Outdoor' - such as Peas and Beans, I find you can advance the growing season by at least 1 month indoors. No big deal if you like in Florida, but I'm in the UK, so I need all the Sun I can get!!

The examples shown here I find pretty 'idiot proof' or 'child friendly' - they grow well, require no major skills in transplanting, and once started do well even with a bit of error. Sunflowers also also great!

Drainage

IMG_5167.JPG
IMG_5214.JPG

Make some holes with knife, scissors or a nail even. It stops things rotting if you over water.

This is also why a drip tray is essential if you do this!

Make a Hinge - "Quick Version"

IMG_5178.JPG
IMG_5179.JPG
IMG_5180.JPG
IMG_5181.JPG
IMG_5182.JPG
IMG_5183.JPG
IMG_5184.JPG
IMG_5185.JPG

You can use sticky-tape to make a hinge as shown...
- Place boxes side-by-side. Apply tape (ideally wide tape, or use a few pieces if think tape)
- Press down on boxes.
- Close hinge. Apply tape to outer side.
- Press around the edges/flanges of the boxes.
- Done!

But for a better result- make a permanent hinge, which won't degrade with time as much...

Make a Hinge: "Pro Version" - From Soda Cans

IMG_5186.JPG
IMG_5187.JPG
IMG_5188.JPG
IMG_5189.JPG

This makes for a stronger hinge, and I think is a novel application of a soda can in gardening!

Pierce the can with a knife, or scissors, and cut round. Then cut down the side. Again, but round the base ring, to remove a 'sheet' of Aluminium.

Making the Hinge Rolls

IMG_5190.JPG
IMG_5192.JPG
IMG_5193.JPG
IMG_5194.JPG
IMG_5195.JPG
IMG_5196.JPG

Taking the 'sheet' of Aluminium, roll tighter as shown.
Warning! The edges will be sharp, so if unsure, use gloves, and even consider goggles just in case it 'springs' up. (I actually do this as a matter of course with my son, as like all 4 year old, he can't be 100% trusted!).
Cut strips about the thickness of your finger - note the direction/curl.
I cut them in half to be about 5cm long.
Roll them tighter again. You can use a pen if it helps to form the roll.

Ready to Roll!

IMG_5197.JPG

Ideally have about 3x hinges per box. Though two will do of course.

Hinge Slots

IMG_5198.JPG
IMG_5199.JPG
IMG_5200.JPG

Lay trays side-by-side, and mark 2 or 3 lines on both trays of where you think the hinges will go.
Lay flat, and cut through with a knife, as shown.

'Thread' Hinges Into Trays

IMG_5201.JPG
IMG_5203.JPG
IMG_5204.JPG
IMG_5202.JPG

Take the roll of metal, and slide into the top (clear) tray.
Thread this through into the growing (opaque) tray.
With the metal roughly divided between either tray, roll it tightly to create a 'lock', as shown.
Squeeze to keep in place. Taking care again with sharp edges.

Test Hinge!

IMG_5206.JPG
IMG_5205.JPG

Ready to Plant-Up!

Recommended: Add a Drip Tray

IMG_5218.JPG
IMG_5217.JPG

Using another tray, that has no perforations, to catch drips.
Optional: Suggest using some milk-bottle tops to 'prop-up' the trays, to keep from sitting in water.

Compost Time (pt1)

IMG_5272.JPG
IMG_5274.JPG
IMG_5277.JPG
IMG_5280.JPG

Probably the most fun for my Son ;o)

I useful note, if you fill the tray 2/3 with Multi Purpose Compost, this is a good cheap 'base'....

Compost Time (pt2)

IMG_5283.JPG
IMG_5275.JPG

...Fill the remaining 1/3 with 'Seedling Compost'. This is more expensive, but good stuff. But there is truthfully not need to fill entire trays with it. Hope this save you some cash in tight times ;o)

Pack Down

IMG_5281.JPG

If you have 2x or more of these, then take one and place on top of the other. This levels off the compost, making it easier to see where seeds are placed/scattered evenly.

Seeds - Steady As You Go!

IMG_5288.JPG
IMG_5289.JPG

If you have a kid, you probably have these spoons kicking around with no better use. I use them for helping my Son measure out seeds, and not drop / spill them all. Sounds trivial, but avoid frustration at a young age.

Cover Up & Pack Down Again

IMG_5290.JPG
IMG_5287.JPG

Cover over with the remaining layer of compost. Pack down again.

Often you don't need a whole pack of seeds, so save some for next year. Just re-seal with sticky-tape.

Ready!

IMG_5292.JPG

All we need to do now is water.

Water

IMG_5293.JPG
IMG_5296.JPG
IMG_5297.JPG

I'd suggest a good first watering, but check that the drip-tray does not overflow on the first time!
Seed like to soak up water at first, but until germinated, ease off watering a bit, to avoid rot. Just keep damp after that.

All Shapes & Sizes

IMG_5298.JPG

I kinda love that we have a real mix of propagators here, and it'll be interesting to see which works best - high/low roof, etc. We even used loo rolls as mini planters, ready to transplant outside.

Window Sill Time!

IMG_5311.JPG
IMG_5314.JPG

Grow indoors, until big enough to take outside or to the cold frame if you have one.

Coming Through!

IMG_5315.JPG
IMG_5317.JPG

It's early days for the seeds in this Instructable Guide, (I'll add updates), but here are some courgettes i started in this way, but without the hinge. Indeed, it kept getting blown/knocked off, so the hinge will really help!

Do please post if you make it, and kindly consider voting if you liked it! Thanks =D