Grow It Eat It: Maryland's Food Gardening Network

Containers and Growing Medium

Containers

Almost any clean container may be used provided it allows for good drainage and is at least 2” deep. Save money by reusing cottage cheese and yogurt containers, milk cartons, aluminum pans, and clear clamshells from the produce department or deli.


4-cell and 6-cell packs	Black plastic tray - with holes

Cell packs in black tray	Green plastic tray - no holes

You can buy plastic trays (a.k.a flats) that are 10.5 in. X 21 in. X 2 in. deep and contain drainage holes. You can also purchase them with no holes. (These are great for minimizing the problem of water getting on the floor or the lights below. You just need to be careful not to over-water.) Photo of black flat and green “no-hole” flat.
Numerous types of small pots and pellets (expand when you add water) made of compressed peat are on the market for starting seeds.
Plastic cell packs (a.k.a. inserts or market packs) are square or rectangular plastic cells joined together and designed to fit into a plastic flat. The individual cells range in size from 1/2 in. to 4 in. in diameter.
Plug trays are sturdy one-piece plastic flats that are divided into individual cells.

Click here or on the photo above to view optional containers.

Do I need special dirt?

Please, don’t call it dirt! Yes, you need a special type of “growing medium.” Growing media have three main functions- 1) supply roots with nutrients, air, and water, 2) allow for maximum root growth, and 3) physically support the plant.


Soilless potting media	Close up of media texture

Purchase a soilless growing media (a.k.a growing mix, transplant mix, or potting mix). They are light and fluffy and formulated to produce uniform plant growth. They usually contain some proportion of sphagnum peat moss, perlite (small white “popcorn”), and vermiculite, and are generally free of diseases, weed seeds, and insects. These mixes are desirable because the peat moss holds water very well, yet the large pore spaces allow excess water to drain easily. Their high porosity also promotes quick and extensive root growth.

All vegetable seeds will germinate in a standard, all-purpose transplanting mix. It is not necessary to purchase a special (finer) seedling mix.
Avoid heavy, dense potting mixes that contain “forest products”.
Conventional mixes have lime and chemical fertilizer added; organic mixes use organic fertilizers and often contain compost. Some organic mixes are substituting coir and rice hulls for peat and perlite.
Don’t try to save money by using garden soil. It is too dense for the job and contains weed seeds and possibly pathogens.

Share This ShareThis

For more information, contact Jon Traunfeld

Last updated: 03/1/2011