I think it was One Hundred Dollars a Month reader Mama Cook who mentioned in the comments last year that she used her recycled Costco rotisserie container as a mini greenhouse for starting seedlings. And well, I thought it was such a clever idea, I had to give it a try.
And what do you know… using a recycled Costco rotisserie container TOTALLY WORKS as a mini greenhouse. Wahooo! So way to go Mama Cook. Thank you for the wonderful suggestion.
My all time favorite seed starting medium is the Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix. You can typically find the 8-Quart bags at the Home Depot {or probably any other garden center} for around $4.50. I like that the bags are easy to carry and easy to store so I usually buy a few each spring around seed starting time.
When I’m not using my beloved Jiffy pellets to start seedlings, I like to use non woven mini nursey bags {shown above} because they are so easy to transplant seedlings out into the garden when they’re ready.
Basically, all you do is fold down the sides of the little bags about halfway down, fill them with moistened seed starting soil and plant your seeds.
Once you’ve covered your seeds with soil, put the lid on your mini greenhouse and move it to a sunny location and ignore it for a week or so. Once the seedlings emerge, I like to check the soil to see if they need a little drink.
If they do, give it to them, if not, replace the lid back over the seedlings until the seedlings are nearly touching the top of their mini greenhouse dome {the rotisserie lid}.
Once the seedlings have reach the top of the lid, remove the lid, water the seedlings, and place the container back in a sunny location until it’s time to harden off your seedlings and set them out into the garden.
Putting your recyclable items to good use. Pretty cool if you ask me.
Thanks Mama Cook for the great idea. 🙂
Keep Calm and Garden On.
~Mavis
elle says
I use the 1 pound salad/spinach containers for seed starting. Dirt straight into the bin and 15 seeds per. It’s easy to label with a marker what is inside. At least they get 1 reuse before hitting the garbage can (we can’t recycle them here anymore).
Sue R. says
I’ve got a couple salad containers filled right now. They work great.
Kari says
I do the same thing with their muffin containers. Easy peasy!
Sue Renich says
Another garden recycle container for me is a gallon milk carton. I cut around the top (leaving the handle) and poke a few holes in the bottom. When seedlings need to be potted up into something bigger, these work great. When ready to go into the garden, I just slice the carton open with a “box” knife and set the plant/dirt right into the hole. Even if I haven’t started the plants myself, I often buy a six-pack of veggies at a cheap price, transplant them into the gallon container and let them grow bigger before I set them out. Good money saver.
Jeanine says
Great idea! I will give this a go.
Natasha says
I want to do this, but dont have a particularly sunny spot to set it 🙁 Its whats stopped me from starting seeds indoors.
Gigi says
I bought a 2’ grow light and put it on a timer once the seeds sprout.
Lana says
I’ve been doing that for years as well as just using the tops over direct sown seeds which works great as well.
Kris R says
Thanks for that idea!
Linda Practical Parsimony says
I have used similar items for seeds.
Mary says
I have used the Costco chicken containers for years with the jiffy pellets. Works great! It was hilarious to see it here because I figured I was the only one who would do this
Betsy says
I use any container with a lid for a nursery : ). What size are the bags you are using? I have never seen those before and I am super intrigued.
Maxine says
It feels like it takes a long time to get the second true leaves. And I’ve never gotten bushy plants in cells. Does it just take a long time or special fertilizer or ??? I probably should have started my broccoli and cauliflower earlier as our Spring is so short, but each year I learn more.
Mama Cook says
Remember your tutorial for homemade seed pots out of newspaper? Those would work beautifully! Only, does anyone still receive a newspaper anymore?
Mavis Butterfield says
I was thinking about that the other day. The only newspaper we get now is the once a week grocery flyer.
RoseBud says
Thanks for the tips! I’m going to try a version this with the Costco muffin containers and reused paper towel and toilet paper inserts for double recycling points! ♻️
franki says
How do you get the container bottom clean enough?
Every time I try, it smells awful after a week. No matter how clean it LOOKS.
I’m also concerned about the meat grease – which is death to plant roots.
I got 3 on my last Costco trip – they’re going to heat-proof bags instead of these containers, so this is my last chance to figure this out.
Mavis Butterfield says
I rinse them off with hot water then run them in the dishwasher cycle.