Cell propagation trays

Start your seedlings in cell trays for space-saving advantages. Cell plug trays are the perfect tool for market gardeners that want to start more market crops at once. Another advantage is that you will waste less growing media starting out your seeds and then up-potting the successfully germinated starts into new pots. 

What Size Cell Tray Should I Use?

Our propagation trays are available in several configurations and are made of extra-strong, BPA-free, food-safe plastic backed by a 1-year warranty. Discover which size cell tray will work for your greenhouse or garden plants. The cell tray guide below will help you in making the decisions about which tray is best for your operation. Or take our Garden Seed Tray Style Quiz.

Whether you are a homesteader growing food for your family or a large-scale production farm looking to streamline your transplanting process with trays that will last season after season. If you need more help making a decision please check out our article on Selecting the Right Cell Tray for Seed Starting.

6 Cell Individual Seed Starter Trays

Our newly redesigned 6 cell trays have large 5/8 inch drainage holes on the bottom making it easy to remove your plant starts. They also make use of air pruning technology with long vertical slits on all 4 sides to prevent root circling in your seedlings. For easy color coding and tracking or your starts we are super excited to also offer our 6-cell trays in 5 cheerful colors. These are great for gardeners who will be starting a small amount of lots of different varieties as you can remove each type as it is ready without disturbing all the other starts that are sharing its heavy-duty 1020 deep tray  bottom watering tray. 12 fit in each 1020 tray. 

32 Cell Seed Starter Trays

The 32 cell plug propagation tray inserts are the largest seed starting cell tray size, measuring 2" x 2". The added space allows plants to develop their canopy and allows them to stay in the cells of the tray longer than they would in a tray with less volume of potting soil. When used in conjunction with our seed starter insert pots, these are typically the best trays for seed starting for the home gardener. 

50 Cell Seed Starter Trays

These 50 cell propagation trays give ample room for seedlings to develop while allowing for a larger number of seeds to be planted in the 10”x 20” space. Plants grown in these plug trays will be less likely to become root-bound if unsettled Spring weather delays your planting schedule. This size also allows for larger canopy development in the seedling. 

72 Cell Seed Starting Trays

The 72 Cell trays are the most popular choice amongst market gardeners. They are a good balance between space for growing and the number of seedlings per cell in the tray. Each of the individual cells is 1.5" square and 2.25" deep. This sizing is perfect for starting many different plants including vine crops. These 72 plug trays are compatible with the heavy-duty 1020 deep tray for bottom watering.

Air Prune Propagation Tray 72 Cell 

Get the air pruning benefits of soil blocking without the mess! These farm trays allow for airflow above and below the soil, so newly established seedlings get optimal growing conditions for a strong start. Our newest 72 cell air pruning tray can be used to grow everything you would use a traditional 72 cell tray for but can also keep plants growing for longer without root circling becoming an issue. These also fit nicely in our heavy-duty 1020 deep tray . 

128 Seed Propagation Trays

These 128 Cell Trays are a great choice for seed starting trays if you wish to start row crops or many baby greens. This configuration is ideal for starting many seeds but is not meant for crops that need to be grown in protection for more than a few weeks. Each of the cells is 1" square and 2.25" deep. You will be able to plant 78% more seedlings with one tray than the more common 72 Cell starter tray.

These 128 plug trays are compatible with the heavy-duty 1020 deep tray for bottom watering. You will want to up-pot your seedlings from this size into larger pots or grow bags if you do not plan to transplant outdoors for an extended period of time to prevent seedlings from becoming root-bound.

200 Cell Propagation Trays

These 200 Cell Trays are excellent seed starting trays if you want to be economical about growing cole crops, lettuces, and other small-seeded crops. You will be able to start ~2.8 times as many seedlings with one tray as you would with a 72 cell tray. Each of the cells is 0.75" square and 2.25" deep.

Interested in learning more about seed starting? Be sure to check out our Seed Starting Blogs.