How to make a Self watering, seed starting tray

How we make our self watering seedling tray. The tool we use and how to make.

[@dreamingrightnow1174]

You are some kinda crazy genius!! The light fixture grid thing... I can think of so many other uses as well.🤯

[@connielee7559]

Must say, what a pleasant person. Enjoyed listening to you.

[@RT1home]

Yes love the diaper cloth! I see most people using poly fabrics for their seed mats so this seems so much better. 💚

[@kraftyacres2191]

Thanks, it seems to be working I did notice the ones on the middle will dry out a little quicker so I added a piece across the middle and that helps

[@loriculberson7886]

@kraftyacres2191 Did the cloth work for you?

[@kraftyacres2191]

@@loriculberson7886 yes the cloth did work for me. I did put a second cloth across the middle cause it seems the middle ones would dry out faster. Thanks for asking

[@sallyhenry1716]

Diaper fabric ! Genius idea👍🏼 ...Thanks for the tips!

[@kraftyacres2191]

Your welcome, hope it works out for you. I did find a second Piece across the middle helps keep the middle one moist

[@katdeville]

I did not know they sold diaper fabric. Thank you!

[@jerico902]

Thank you for this video! Very creative. Might do this this weekend!

[@connielee7559]

What a good idea! Ty for the share!

[@shutterbug2061]

Great idea!! I just came across a similar idea for growing microgreens with cheap dollar tree containers and recycled food containers. Thanks for sharing!

[@kraftyacres2191]

Thanks for watching. I’ll be doing a update version this winter. Trying out some new ideas

[@bunnyfrew]

This is an awesome idea thanks so much for posting. I bought some old stainless steel roasting pans from the thrift store and used your suggestions for the self watering system. I actually bought a meter or so of cotton flannel from the fabric store and it works so well. Thank you again!!

[@kraftyacres2191]

Thanks for watching. I’m glad it Is working for you.

[@TearDrop455]

Genius! I was trying to think of a way to duplicate the bought ones. I Love it, Thanks for sharing ❤😊

[@kraftyacres2191]

You are welcome thanks for watching

[@beesandseeds]

I never thought of using the fabric before. Thanks for sharing.

[@kraftyacres2191]

Thanks for watching, stayed tuned we have a lot of exciting things coming to the channel!

[@joinkansas7819]

This is exactly what I've been looking for thank you!

[@kimeeegngarden4887]

Clever! Thank you for posting 🙂

[@dandavis8300]

Great ingenuity! Love the video & will do this.

[@rubyewiggins4926]

I use plastic mesh pieces that you cross stitch on,they're pretty cheap,and old tshirts would work to wick

[@kraftyacres2191]

Thanks for the tip. Happy Gardening

[@elizabethkirby1782]

Thanks, that's very useful & helpful. 🙂

[@user-fd3wl1pr7s]

i love your seedling room

[@kraftyacres2191]

Thanks for watching. It’s A small part of a shed

[@ahavarichardson5426]

Just found your channel! Subbed as well, I surely love the creativity, recently wondering how to save money on these wicking trays, thanks for the information! Great job

[@kraftyacres2191]

Thanks for watching, we will be posting more videos soon

[@chickentender4037]

Great idea, thanks for sharing.

[@MileHighMultisport]

Thank you. Exactly what I was looking for

[@kraftyacres2191]

No problem, I did find if you place a second piece across the middle it help keep them moist. Thanks for watching, we will have tons more coming soon!

[@jimd1617]

Thanks!

[@irenesilva744]

Genius!

[@kraftyacres2191]

Thanks for watching

[@user-ot2pq9ty1u]

How much water do you put in the bottom, any chance that there might be too much water?

[@patriciahogg5763]

Thanks!! 😇

[@kraftyacres2191]

You are welcome. Thanks for Watching

[@myteacuppoodles5004]

Hi, You didn’t show what to do with the pvc pieces. Did you just lay them in the bottom?

[@pennyspetproject6512]

why not cheesecloth for the wicking fabric, cheap, foodsafe and easily available for a buck at the dollar stores. can use multi layers to form a mat. I'm putting together my germinating area this week (far north, still over a foot of snow outside) and cheesecloth is what I'll be using

[@kraftyacres2191]

Great idea. Using what you have. Let me know how the cheesecloth worked for you.

[@omegalgo297]

Thank you 👌

[@CookieCreamOreo]

Hi. I liked your idea. 👍🏻 I’ve been wanting to replicate the Burpee self watering seed tray bc it’s $20. Where did you find the Jiffy greenhouse trays so cheap? I bought 2 at Dollar General for $5 each. I thought about using microfiber cloths as the wicking mat bc I’ve seen on orchid videos that it’s great to wick up water to the roots of the plant. I plan to use some that I already own.

[@kraftyacres2191]

I got my trays from Menards. You can find them at most hardware stores. I bought a bunch a few years back on clearance. Thanks for watching.

[@Dennis_Heaton]

Are the domes necessary? I have plenty of watering trays without domes. This will definitely help with watering, it's a pain to water 30 trays and dump what's left after a good soaking, seeding is time consuming enough, ha.

[@kraftyacres2191]

Yes I agree starting plants can be time consuming. The domes are not a have to have thing. I do use them till the seedlings start to grow. What the dome does it provides a greenhouse effect and helps the top of the soil from drying out. Happy gardening!

[@kraftyacres2191]

Dennis Heaton are you starting 30 trays at a a time? I myself only have about 15 in rotation at a time. I can’t imagine 30.

[@joinkansas7819]

I do have a question. Does the tray you use to put the wicking fabric on have to be perforated? How come? I'm learning and would love to know.

[@Alisha-vy5lb]

? You mentioned you made self watering kit for $5 bucks, but mentioned lowes light screen for $13 did I miss something?

[@darlenemeade3690]

Shouldn't the grid panel be a food safe plastic?

[@kraftyacres2191]

If you want it to be food safe that is fine. I don’t think it will matter much. It is not in contact with the water just a place for the wicking medium to sit on

[@rubyewiggins4926]

If use an old t shirt for wicking

[@kraftyacres2191]

Yes I have used a old t-shirt for wicking. I would suggest something of light color. I used a red polo shirt once it died the color red.🤭

[@ve2jgs]

Old pillowcases might work too.

[@janesong636]

Just curious, how do you stabilize the pvc pipes in the reservoir tray?

[@kraftyacres2191]

The black trays have grooves in them. The pvc pipes rest in between the grooves. Great question. Thanks for asking

[@rubyewiggins4926]

Where in the heck are you buying the black trays with lids for a dollar anywhere?

[@kraftyacres2191]

Thanks for watching. I got mine at menards last year. That each tray or lid. This year I got some this year they where $1.70 I think still at menards

[@rubyewiggins4926]

I live in south Texas and if you could find them here they'd be about $8

[@ValeriaVincentSancisi]

$7 west coast🙃

[@martynsmith630]

Why not use capillary matting.

[@kraftyacres2191]

The capillary matting was On back order for months