Starts for Transplants

[flowerbug]

With my target planting date about 10 days away, this is a hectic time for transplant starting. I went over all of my trays in preparation, cleaning them, and patching leaks with aquarium silicone. I damage some of the trays every year in the process of moving transplants, and try to salvage any that are repairable... but inevitably, I find leaks that I missed when I bottom-water the newly planted trays. I even have glued bamboo skewers under the tray lips to strengthen the sides, having had a few trays of transplants collapse on me while being carried.

This year, I found tray supports that greatly increase the strength of the trays, and should vastly reduce handling damage. They fit snugly under the trays, and really help the handling stability. These supports should allow me to get many more years out of my trays - and hopefully, far fewer leaks.
View attachment 57463

good luck with those!

 

[catjac1975]

good luck with those!

I double up my trays. A leaking one under a good one. The trays were much sturdier long ago.

 

[Alasgun]

Bootstrap farmer is the name to know for trays and Pots. I can still break a tray but boy; i gotta be working at it!