DIY Garden Seed Starter Kits

One of the best ways to save money in your backyard garden is to create your own DIY Garden Seed Starter Kits.

Growing your own plants from seeds can be a great way to save a ton of money when planning your own backyard garden. There are a lot of great ways to make this happen and we have gathered our favorite ideas to share with you.

These DIY Garden Seed Starter Kits are also an ideal way to get your kids involved in learning about growing vegetables. Seeing seeds turn into buds and plants is a wonderful way to get them excited about working in the soil themselves. It has also been known to be an excellent way to get your kids interested in eating more vegetables!

DIY Garden Seed Starter Kits

Food and Drink Containers- Things like old plastic bottles, milk containers, and even take-out food containers are all great items you can use to plant your own seed starters. Simply wash well, cut apart to make a small container, and then remove before planting. This is a great way to recycle bottles or cartons that aren't recyclable.

Egg Cartons- These are one of the most classic ways to make your own garden seed starters. Simply cut them in half, fill each cup with soil, and plant a seed in each cup. They are ideal for scooping out and planting into whatever container or garden you choose. If you use the cardboard variety, you may even be able to simply cut apart the cups and plant directly into the ground when ready.

Eggshells– Empty cracked eggshells are an ideal choice for creating DIY garden starters. Soil and seeds in a cracked eggshell give you a great starter kit you can plant directly into the soil once ready. Eggshells also contain nutrients that are needed for healthy soil.

Rotisserie Chicken Container– The Gardening Cook shares a great idea for using an old rotisserie chicken container. Simply fill with soil and add seeds in rows. When it is time to plant, you just scoop out the individual plants. This is a great way to recycle something that would otherwise get thrown away. It is also a great way to start seedlings for plants that need deeper roots.

Paper Tube Seed Starters– Another great idea from The Gardening Cook is to use an old paper towel, gift wrap, and toilet paper rolls to create a fun seed starter. Kids will love helping you create these, and since they are so thin and biodegradable they are ideal for simply planting directly into the ground.

Yogurt Cups and Salad Containers – Use things you would typically throw away like yogurt cups and plastic salad trays to create a mini-cold frame. You can put the lid on to create a warm environment for germination. You can move the containers outside and beginning hardening off the seedlings by removing the lid during the day and placing it back on on chilly nights.

Mini Plastic Greenhouses– Use this tip from Frugal Family Home for repurposing plastic containers that fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries come in at the grocery store. They are simple, easy, and already aerated so they provide the oxygen needed as well as the greenhouse effect that promotes moisture and growth.

Newspaper Seed Starters- Wrap newspaper into a box shape and fill with soil. Add seeds and place on a plastic tray or waterproof area for watering since they will leak. These are ideal for planting directly into the ground since the newspaper will break down in the soil and even add some nutrients to the soil that are excellent for further growth.

Ice Cube Trays- Ice cube trays create a great starter kit for small plants. They can be rinsed out, stored, and use over and over again which makes them cost effective. They are also sold in packs of 4 for $1 at most dollar stores, so are an inexpensive choice that works great for almost any budget. You can easily grab your old ones to use, then upgrade to newer ones for your freezer if wanted.

Muffin Tins- Old muffin tins are a great way to start slightly larger seeds and plants. Use ones that are cracked, worn, or otherwise unusable. You can even find them rather inexpensively at some dollar stores if you want to get some to use just for this purpose.

Take Out Containers- The cardboard boxes your favorite Chinese place sends your food home in are ideal for creating DY gardens seed starter kits since they already are set up to unfold easily. This makes them ideal for unfolding to remove the plant and place into your garden.

Cardboard Boxes- What better way to use those boxes leftover from your recent online purchases? Simply fill with soil, add seeds, and water. Remember that cardboard will leak when you water the plant, so make sure to place them on a tray to catch the water.

Garden Seed Starter Kits: You can, of course, purchase a kit that offers you soil pods, seeds, and a plastic greenhouse to create a simple home garden seed starter kit. They range in price from $5-$50 depending on what type you invest in and whether or not you buy seeds separately.

These DIY Garden Seed Starter Kits are ideal for saving a ton of money in your home garden. Whether you use this as a fun activity to do with kids, or you simply want a way to upcycle items to help create your home garden, this list is great resource to get started. Using things you already have at home will make a huge difference in your expenses for your home garden.