Planter Starter Trays vs. Seed Growing Trays: Which is Best for Your Seedlings?

Starting seeds indoors gives gardeners a head start on the growing season, protects delicate sprouts from pests and weather, and allows precise control over early development. Two popular tools dominate this process: planter starter trays (often called garden seed starter trays, seed starting pots and trays, or modular plug trays) and seed growing trays (flat, open 1020 seed starting trays sometimes marketed as “flats”). While the names sound interchangeable, the designs serve distinct purposes. This guide breaks down the differences, advantages, drawbacks, and real-world scenarios to help you choose the best containers for seed starting—or combine both—for healthier, stronger seedlings using plant germination trays & kits.

1. Definitions & Design Breakdown

Planter starter trays include seedling pots with tray systems featuring individual cells or plugs (4–200+ per tray), such as 72 cell seed starter trays or jiffy seed starter trays 72. Seed growing trays are shallow, open rectangles like 1020 seed starting trays without dividers.

Visual cue: Planter starter trays resemble egg box seed tray or egg carton seed tray designs with legs—each seedling gets its own “apartment,” similar to using egg trays for seedlings. Seed growing trays are like cookie sheets—ideal for germinating seeds in trays or germination tray use.

2. How Each System Affects Seedling Biology

Root Development

Planter Starter Trays: Air-pruning in 72 cell seed starter trays or ferry morse pro hex seed starting tray prevents circling roots. Biodegradable cells like jiffy 72 can be planted directly, minimizing transplant shock during starting seeds in plug trays. Caveat: Tiny cells restrict root mass; deep root seed starting system options like 50-cell trays suit planting tomato seeds in trays or planting onion seeds in trays that stay 6–8 weeks indoors.

Seed Growing Trays: Unlimited horizontal spread encourages “broadcast” crops but often leads to tangled roots in 1020 seed starting trays. Solution: Use soil blocking potting tray or mesh inserts for starting onion seeds in trays.

Water & Nutrient Dynamics

Planter Starter Trays: Each cell holds fixed volume; seed starting bottom watering is the best way to water seed trays, keeping foliage dry and reducing damping-off in jiffy humidity dome setups.

Seed growing trays: Water pools unevenly; use capillary mats or a heated germination station for even moisture during starting seeds in humidity dome.

Light & Space Efficiency

Planter Starter Trays: Compact; 72 cell seed starter trays fit under one 2-ft light. Ideal for burpee indoor seed starting on windowsills.

Seed Growing Trays: Maximize seeds-per-square-foot in 1020 seed starting trays for modern grower seed starting trays or superseed seed starting tray 8 xl cell.

3. Crop-Specific Recommendations

4. Practical Pros & Cons

Planter Starter Trays

Pros

• Zero root disturbance (using a seed starter tray like jiffy 72 greenhouse)
• Built-in spacing prevents competition
• Easy labeling per cell
• Modular—use only needed cells (reusable seed starting trays silicone)

Cons

• Higher cost per seedling
• Smaller cells dry fast under lights
• Plastic cracks after 3–5 seasons (cleaning seed starting trays extends life)
• Limited volume for long-season crops

Seed Growing Trays

Pros

• Lowest cost per seed (used seed trays or homemade seed starting trays)
• Flexible sowing (starting seeds in seed trays, starting seeds in trays outside)
• Easy to sterilize (cleaning seed starting trays)
• Excellent for up-potting

Cons

• Requires pricking out (seedling tray use)
• Higher damping-off risk without sterile technique
• Roots tangle → shock
• Uneven moisture without seed starting bottom watering

5. Hybrid Workflow: Best of Both Worlds

Combine greenhouse seed starting supplies:

1. Sow in 1020 seed starting trays → germinate under jiffy humidity dome.
2. Prick out at true-leaf stage into 72 cell seed starter trays or 3d printed seed starter.
3. Harden off and transplant with intact plug.

Example (tomatoes):

• Day 1: Sow 200 seeds in humidified 1020 seed starting trays.
• Day 10: Prick 72 strongest into 72 cell seed starting tray.
• Day 50: Transplant plugs outdoors.

This maximizes burpee indoor seed starting efficiency.

6. Material Deep-Dive

7. Cost Calculator (50 Tomato Plants)

Excludes soil, domes, lights.

8. Pro Tips & Common Mistakes

Dos

• Seed starting bottom watering until 2 true leaves (best way to water seed trays)
• Use 72°F soil for solanaceae; 65°F for brassicas (heated germination station)
• Label every tray (using a seed starter tray)
• Air-prune by elevating if roots escape (use of seedling tray)

Don’ts

• Don’t let trays sit in water >1 hour → root rot
• Don’t sow large seeds in tiny cells
• Don’t skip cleaning seed starting trays—Pythium loves residue

9. Sustainability Angle

A $4 rigid 72 cell seed starter trays used 7 seasons = 504 seedlings → 0.8¢ each. Avoid peat; choose coir or homemade seed starter trays like egg tray for seedlings. Zero-waste hack: Cut bottoms off cells after transplant → reuse as cutworm collars.

10. Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

Starter Kit Recommendation (under $50):

1. Two 72 cell seed starter trays + bottom watering tray
2. One 1020 seed starting trays + jiffy humidity dome
3. Peat-free seed-starting mix
4. LED shop light (6500K, 2000 lumens)

Conclusion

The choice between Planter Starter Trays and Seed Growing Trays ultimately comes down to your specific needs. If you're looking for easy transplanting and starting crops, the former is better suited for fast-growing crops. If you prioritize root stability and mass cultivation, the latter, with its intricate honeycomb structure and drainage design, stands out, offering improved germination and survival rates. Regardless of your choice, high-quality materials are key to success. Linkwin (Zhenjiang Linkwin International Trading Co., Ltd.), a leading Chinese agricultural tool manufacturer, is renowned worldwide for its environmentally friendly and durable plastic products. Its Seed Starting Trays series, made of high-strength polypropylene, feature precise drainage holes and a stackable design.

These trays not only increase seed germination efficiency by over 30%, but also support a wide range of applications, from vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers to flowers. Choosing Linkwin not only ensures reliable quality—from the 288-grid high-efficiency seeding tray to the mini seedling kit with lid, every product is ISO-certified and non-toxic—but also offers one-stop supply chain services, including custom sizes and bulk discounts. Visit Linkwin's official website now to start your green gardening journey, let every seed thrive and reap abundant joy!

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