Suggestions on source for trays and pots
 

I'm amping up the seed starting this year, into the thousands.

I have a hoop house and have started seeds indoors, then I move them. It's starting time here and I am having trouble finding decent pricing for trays and pots and all of that. Nothing exciting on Ebay or CL.

Any suggestions?

Thanks as always.

A local hydroponic store has everything you could ever need. I also use amazon for most many of my purchases.

There are plenty of places on line unfortunately I am not familiar with them I'm sure many others are.

I just want to suggest going by local nursery's and asking around. If anything they may sell you pots for very cheap. I have been to 3 around me several times they are more than hapy to [B]give me[/B] pots. Espeacially the bigger ones. That is just an idea to get you started at least it might only cost you the gas to get there. Winter is a good time to since they are in clean up mode.

Good luck

Dono

I've used this one and had good prices and wonderful service.

[URL]http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/[/URL]

I use the same place as Ted has linked. One caveat, order early, some pots get back ordered at high season and one year I had to take larger pots that didn't fit my trays, so I had to order trays also. So now every year I have to match up the trays and pots before I start when it would be much easier to have all one size.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

Try this one too. I got 100 4" pots for 18.00 but it's cheaper in large bulk. The shipping added 11.00 though.:?!?:
[url]http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/home[/url]
seems to be an incredibly comprehensive store.
-Marsha

[QUOTE=Keger;317013]I'm amping up the seed starting this year, into the thousands.

I have a hoop house and have started seeds indoors, then I move them. It's starting time here and I am having trouble finding decent pricing for trays and pots and all of that. Nothing exciting on Ebay or CL.

Any suggestions?

Thanks as always.[/QUOTE]

Well, the technique is out of favor with the advent of plastics, and many here will jump all over me for even suggesting it. However, you certainly can start and pot loads of seeds cheap, cheap, cheap.

Just make home made paper pots. You do it by wrapping a layer of newspaper around a cup or can and "molding" the bottom. It is surprisingly easy once you get the knack of it.

[URL="www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8qPAV-LDnM"]Paper pots[/URL]

They even have a [URL="www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8qPAV-LDnM"]paper pot maker[/URL] at [URL="http://www.burpee.com/seed-starting/potmaker-prod001209.html?catId=cat100006&trail="]Burpee[/URL] in North America or [URL="http://www.seedaholic.com/nethger-wallop-paper-potter-set.html#Tools_&__Gifts"]seedaholic[/URL] if you are in Europe. Sorry I don't know who might make them down under.

Shipping gets out of control quickly on tray inserts and pots. Try to get as local as you can.

If you can open an account with BWI that would be great. They are a reliable wholesale company and actually have route trucks in your area. Minimum order amount might make it not so practical. If you can't come up with the minimum then perhaps others in your area could form a co-op to buy from them.

[URL]http://www.bwicompanies.com/default.aspx[/URL]

Another one that is sort of close is [URL]http://www.growersupply.com/[/URL]

I got my 3201 sheet pots from them last year and they were quick, and cost effective. Their prices are always good and the shipping is decent because they are so close to me. I am very pleased with B & T Grower Supply and I will use them again this year for the bulk of my supplies.

I have also ordered from Green House Megastore as Ted suggests and they are very good too.

Best of luck.

--Steve

I bought a couple of times from these folks and was very satisfied:

[URL]http://www.novoselenterprises.com/products/seedlingtrays.asp[/URL]

TomNJ

[QUOTE=Crandrew;317014]A local hydroponic store has everything you could ever need. I also use amazon for most many of my purchases.[/QUOTE]


Sell the plants in early spring, sell the produce at market after that. Vicious cycle I guess.

As always, thanks so much to you all.

I go with Hummert for large orders:
[url]http://www.hummert.com/[/url]

And Farmtek for smaller orders:
[url]www.farmtek.com[/url]

[QUOTE=Keger;317081]As always, thanks so much to you all.[/QUOTE] You are welcome! Patrix from France posted a solution that doesn't even use any pots at all. You might also consider his old traditional method that is hundreds of years old. I must say I was impressed by the success showed in his pics.:yes:

Not good for selling seedlings, but certainly an option for growing yourself.

Best price, quality and service I have found on the West Coast. [URL]http://www.mcconkeyco.com/[/URL]

[QUOTE=ContainerTed;317018]I've used this one and had good prices and wonderful service.

[URL]http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/[/URL][/QUOTE]

This is the same one I use. Prices are fair in my opinion.

[QUOTE=feraltomatoes;317200]Best price, quality and service I have found on the West Coast. [URL]http://www.mcconkeyco.com/[/URL][/QUOTE]

That's a good mention. McConkey is a lot like Hummert, which is in Missouri. I would definitely order from McConkey if I lived on the West Coast. Shipping is cheaper when you order from someone closer.

[url]http://www.mortonproducts.com/[/url]

Reasonable prices and located near enough that I can drive to pick up large orders. As noted above, shipping is the issue, if you can keep it close, then best to do so.

DarJones

[url]http://www.griffins.com/publications/catalog.asp[/url]
Great selection here

This thread and the addition of so many new people has caused me to wonder whether the site could use a new section of local sources by country/zone/metro area. For example if you're looking for a local source of Actinovate or something less shipping friendly (like rabbit manure.)

I know the gatherings area has some geographic breakouts, and one of the lovely things about this site is how global it is... but it might be beneficial to have a few areas where someone can ask where to get coconut coir in your state.

I've started searching for a group of gardeners in my city, just to get other specific feedback and share ideas. There is something through Meetup, but it's a little broader than gardening, it's organic, sustainable living, etc. Also my county extension does offer some classes and such; I hope to attend some.

This was also prompted by finding a Craigslist post for llama poo out in Brevard County (FL). Must admit I'm interested! :)

[QUOTE=feraltomatoes;317200]Best price, quality and service I have found on the West Coast. [URL]http://www.mcconkeyco.com/[/URL][/QUOTE]
Brad- That's a seriously great avatar. Maybe the most original one I have seen , IMHO.
-Marsha

I know this is out of date, but I thought I might add my 2 cents. I got oodles of pots trays and flats from a local nursery for free! They had a recycle bin there for them and I just went in and asked if I could have some. They said take all you want. You may want to check with some of your local nursery's , You just might get lucky like I did. Stock up now.

I thought I got a good deal with coordinated 4" pots and trays here. If I am a sucker, I'd appreciate knowing it.
[URL]http://www.harrisseeds.com/?_cr=ppc|google|phrasematch|harris+seeds&gclid=CNqY0ePSjrQCFeZDMgodWAMA8g[/URL]

They have Agways in texas and they sale the seed flats for $1.00. I also like there bulk seeds like sugar peas by the 8 ounce container!

I have purchased from Harris Seeds several times and they have been the least expensive when cost plus shipping is figured. If you can pick up supplies without shipping the pots may be cheaper. For me Harris is cheapest with very good quality.

Check to see if your local Lowes has a 'loaner' bin for trays and those black pots. Ours does. It's run on the honor system - borrow what you need and please return when done so others can use them.

Rural King has cheap trays (dollar and change each and a good size). They are only in certain parts of the USA though - Florida just got its first two stores. If you have one, check out their prices. Better than Walmart in most cases. They also ship. [URL]http://www.ruralking.com/[/URL]

This year greenhouse megestore mentioned by others has been the best priced supplier for me.

i just bought from here... $0.05 per pot before shipping

[URL]http://mcconkeyco.com/collections/square-pots/products/4-deep-tech-square-pot[/URL]

[URL]http://mcconkeyco.com/collections/1020-flats-inserts/products/1020-standard-mesh-flat[/URL]

[QUOTE=Redbaron;317050]Well, the technique is out of favor with the advent of plastics, and many here will jump all over me for even suggesting it. However, you certainly can start and pot loads of seeds cheap, cheap, cheap.

Just make home made paper pots. You do it by wrapping a layer of newspaper around a cup or can and "molding" the bottom. It is surprisingly easy once you get the knack of it.

[URL="www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8qPAV-LDnM"]Paper pots[/URL]

They even have a [URL="www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8qPAV-LDnM"]paper pot maker[/URL] at [URL="http://www.burpee.com/seed-starting/potmaker-prod001209.html?catId=cat100006&trail="]Burpee[/URL] in North America or [URL="http://www.seedaholic.com/nethger-wallop-paper-potter-set.html#Tools_&__Gifts"]seedaholic[/URL] if you are in Europe. Sorry I don't know who might make them down under.[/QUOTE]
I used paper pots but now they are all covered with white mold. Any suggestions?

2thumbs

Planter pots
 

If you want something cheap and easy to work with I suggest the 8.5 ounce Styrofoam cups that are about 2 cents each. You can put a needle hole a half inch from the bottom for drainage but still have a half inch of water kept in the bottom!

They are easy to take your plants out when ready to trans plant and even use over. The white reflects light back to the leaves and makes stronger growth! I plan on using a lot of them this year. You can buy 51 for a little over a 100 at the dollar stores!

pots paper
 

[QUOTE=2thumbs;396018]I used paper pots but now they are all covered with white mold. Any suggestions?

2thumbs[/QUOTE]

Air movement will stop that so a small fan is what you need!