When reusing seed trays & pots…

Reusing seed trays and pots from your nursery purchases are a great way to save money and reduce plastic waste! That black plastic seed tray that you bought your six-pack of pansies in last year can totally be reused to start your cucumber seeds this spring! I have been reusing the same plastic seed trays given to me by friends, farmers, and backyard gardeners since 2020. HOWEVER, a word of caution if you choose to reuse your plastic seed trays and pots…

Plants are living beings that are susceptible to disease just like we are! Therefore, if you reuse a plastic seed tray without disinfecting it first, you are exposing your new sprouts to whatever fungal diseases the last plant left behind! Kind of like serving up dinner on dirty dishes….

I had always been taught on every farm I ever worked for to bleach seed trays before reusing them, and I had always stuck to that rule. But a couple years ago I thought I would save myself some time, and I said to myself…..”How important is it REALLY? I mean, my seedlings last year didn’t seem to have any diseases, so reusing my seed trays after just giving them a good rinse should be fine, right?” WRONG! My Tulsi seedlings came up with stunted and malformed leaves, and seemed to be crippled by disease. I had to throw out the entire batch, bleach my seed trays, and start over. I learned the hard way that fungal disease can overwinter on used trays and wreak havoc the following spring!

So, this past Saturday I took advantage of the beautiful day to lay out all the seed trays and pots that I will be using this year and bleach them! First I sprayed out the trays with a hose to knock last year’s potting soil off. Then I mixed a glug of bleach in a large bucket with water, and dunked the trays into my bleach mixture one by one. I laid them out to dry in the sun, stacked them back up, and done! Now I’m all ready to start my seeds THIS WEEKEND!!!