1020 Trays & Flats

1020 PLASTIC GROWING TRAYS AND FLATS

Our extra strength 1020 trays are available in a wide variety of colors, including black, white, and multicolor, to brighten up your farm, gardening space, or greenhouse, or for selling at the farmer's market. Are you looking for smaller growing trays? Click here for all seed trays. Our 1020 trays are available with and without drainage holes. We also offer mesh styles for fodder and large-seeded crops. 

WHAT IS A 1020 PLANTING TRAY?

A 1020 heavy duty, plastic growing tray is a tray with approximately 10 in X 20 in dimensions used for propagation purposes. They are heavy-duty, nestable, and perfect for bottom-watering or carrying other trays. 1020 propagation trays can be directly grown in or used as a drainage tray. 

Bootstrap Farmer's standard deep 1020 plastic tray measures: 

• Outer dimensions: 21.06” x 10.81” x 2.5” Deep 1.8 - 2.0mm
• Inner bottom dimensions: 19.9" x 9.58"
• Thickness- 1.8 - 2.0mm

Bootstrap Farmer's shallow 1020 plastic microgreen tray measures: 

• Outer dimensions are 21" x 10¾" x 1¼" to fit any standard 1020 flat
• Inner bottom dimensions: 19¾" x 9½"
• Thickness: 1.8-2.0 mm 

HOW DURABLE IS A 10 X 20 TRAY?

Bootstrap Farmer 1020 trays are the sturdiest trays on the market, backed by a 2-year guarantee, and ship free with purchases over $49 to the lower 48. These are the best trays for one-hand holds without the fold! Freshly watered, planted cell trays can weigh over 20 lbs, which is no match for these strong propagation trays. 

We are so sure of our tray’s durability that we offer a 2-year guarantee. If you break or crack one of our trays, send us a picture, and we will replace the tray at no cost to you. 

WHAT ARE BOOTSTRAP FARMER 1020 TRAYS MADE OUT OF?

All of our 1020 plastic propagation flats are produced in the USA from BPA-free, food-safe PP #5 plastic. 

SHOULD I USE A SHALLOW OR DEEP 1020 TRAY?

Whether to use a shallow or deep 1020 tray depends on the application. Bootstrap Farmer heavy duty cell trays fit perfectly into the 1020 2.5" Trays without holes for bottom-watering and are most commonly used for that application. 1020 2.5" trays with holes or the mesh style 1020 trays are typically used for soil blocking and for growing wheatgrass. Interested in learning more about seed starting in cell trays? Check out Selecting the Right Size Seed Starting Cell Trays.

For growing microgreens, many opt for the shallow 1020 option for top and bottom trays. They are easier to harvest as the grower can cut close to the root line without fighting the extra tray height. They are also perfect for bottom-watering applications because they provide the ideal depth for the watering requirements of most microgreens.

For most microgreens, our shallow 1 ¼ inch trays are perfect for saving on growing media and making your plants easy to harvest. 

For tall-growing crops like pea shoots, sunflowers, and wheatgrass, our deep 2.5-inch flats give your crops a little more support and space for longer growing times. The added side height keeps plants at the edge from falling over. The ability to use a deeper layer of growing media allows your plants more nutrient uptake ability and root space. 

Interested in learning more about growing microgreens? Read these growing tips in Learn How to Grow Microgreens at Home: A Step By Step Guide.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A 1020 WITH A MESH BOTTOM AND ONE WITH HOLES?

Growers will opt for a mesh bottom 1020 tray as it is a good product for soil blocking as it provides significantly more drainage holes for the technique. Another advantage of the mesh trays is that larger seeded microgreens like peas, wheatgrass, and barley can be grown without media using them if the seeds are at least a tiny bit larger than the mesh holes. 

HOW TO CLEAN 1020 TRAYS?

If you are using our heavy-duty, reusable trays: 

• Remove any leftover dirt and root matter
• Spray the trays off 
• Wash the mostly clean trays in hot soapy water or run them through your dishwasher. (Just remember to turn off the heated dry function)
• Rinse your trays with clean water and allow to air dry.
• For added sterilization, you can use H2O2 or a mild bleach solution.