Over the past few years, seed starting peat pellets have become very popular. They are fast and easy to use for planting seeds, and they’re fun to use too. Some people really love using the seed pellets, and there are definitely advantages to using them. But there are also some disadvantages that are important to consider. Readers are always asking me what I like best, so I thought it would be fun to do a side-by-side comparison of using peat pellets -vs- soil filled seed trays.
What Are Peat Pellets
If you’re new to starting seeds, then maybe you’ve never heard of peat pellets. Peat pellets (aka Jiffy seed starters) were designed to make starting seeds easier and more convenient for gardeners. As the name suggests, peat pellets are made out of peat moss, which is a popular medium for growing seeds and plants. Not only do they make it easy to plant your seeds, but seed starter pellets also make planting seedlings into the garden super easy too.
What Are Soil Filled Seed Trays
Since I just explained what peat pellets are, I figured I’d better explain what I mean when I talk about soil filled seed trays. Using plastic seed starting cells and trays is the more traditional method for starting plants from seed. You fill the plastic cells with seed starting soil, and then plant your seeds. This is probably what most people visualize when they talk about starting seeds indoors.
Jiffy seed starter kit pellet refills
Seed Starting Peat Pellets -vs- Soil Filled Seed Trays
When it comes to choosing between these two methods, there really is no “right” way to start your seeds indoors. A lot of times it will just come down to personal preference. I used seedling trays for the first several years, and it was always very economical for me. So when I decided to try using peat pellets, the first thing that jumped out at me right away was the cost. These are not as economical when compared to a large bag of seed starting soil and reusable plastic seedling trays (although if you’re just starting out, it will be more expensive to buy the seed starting kits – but then you can reuse them year after year).
But you really have to weigh all the pros and cons, not just the cost… and one of the biggest pros for peat pellets is convenience. Ok, I’m getting a bit ahead of myself here, so let’s just jump right into the side-by-side comparison of the pros and cons for each of these two seed starting methods.
Seed Starting Peat Pellets
What I like (pros):
- Fun to watch the compressed peat pellets expand when you add water (yes, I’m like a little kid!)
- Easy start up (you don’t have to fill cells with dirt, just add water to the peat pellet trays and watch the pellets expand)
- Less work since you only have to clean and disinfect the seed trays, and not all of those plastic cells
- Less mess since you don’t have to fill cells with loose dirt (which is impossible not to spill, at least for messy me)
- You don’t have to buy a new seed starting kit every year, you can just buy peat pellet refills and reuse the tray
- Makes planting seedlings a snap, plus seed starter pellets help to reduce seedling transplant shock
Jiffy seed starter pellets in seed trays
What I don’t like (cons):
- Not as economical
- The seed starting peat pellets are held together by a mesh on the outside, which doesn’t seem to break down in the garden. The first time I used these, I was finding the mesh throughout the garden for several years after.
- The pellets dry out faster than the dirt in plastic cells
- The hole in the top is too small for large seeds (but can be opened up easy enough) – You can buy larger peat pellets for bigger seeds though, which is a great option.
- Harder to tag if you have multiple types of seeds in one flat, since there’s nowhere to stick the plant marker
Filling seed trays with seed starting mix
Seed Trays Filled With Seed Starting Soil
What I like (pros):
- The plastic seedling trays are reusable, just add seedling soil mix (or you can make your own DIY seed starting mix)
- Economical because you can reuse them year after year
- Easy to add a plant tag to small groupings of different types of seeds
- The soil doesn’t dry out as quickly as peat pellets do
Growing plants from seeds in seed starting soil
What I don’t like (cons):
- More prep work to clean and disinfect the cells and trays
- A bit more difficult to transplant the seedlings into the garden
- Risk of transplant shock is higher
There are two main things that keep me from switching to using the peat pellets for all of my seed starting. One is cost, and the other is the mesh outside that won’t decompose. Neither of these are huge deal breakers for me though (the mesh outside is actually pretty easy to peel off before you plant the seedlings into the garden), and I will continue to use a mix of both methods (seed starting peat pellets are a must for seedlings that hate to be transplanted). But, I do prefer to use the seedling trays with soil over the peat pellets.
Planting seeds using seed starting peat pellets
If you’re trying to decide whether peat pellets are right for you, or if you should use the traditional plastic cells and trays, I say try both and see which method you like the best! I really love how easy it is to transplant the seedlings when I use the peat pellets, and if you don’t start a ton of seeds, then the added cost won’t be a huge issue. Both methods are great, you just have to decide what’s best for you.
More Help For Growing Plants From Seeds:
- Seed Starting Equipment & Supplies
- Seeds To Start Indoors -vs- Direct Sowing
- Seed Starting Course
- How To Clean And Disinfect Seed Starting Trays
- Tips For Starting Seeds Indoors
For even more information about starting plants from seed, click here… Starting Seeds
What about you – do you love the convenience of the seed starting peat pellets, or do you prefer seed trays and soil? Leave a comment below and tell me how you start your seeds.
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Last year was my first year using the pellets and I'm using them again this year. I'm frustrated to hear that the mesh doesn't decompose. YUCK! Thanks for the tip to remove it before planting.
I agree, not economical at all! The replacement pellets cost as much as the pellets with the tray that I purchased last year.
You're welcome. It's too bad that the refills cost as much as buying a whole new pre-filled tray, I'm bummed to hear that. I hate to think that people will just throw away the trays every year, not very eco friendly!
I've tried both methods (I did like the cells better) and actually settled on a soil blocker. It's like a tiny little press and makes blocks of soils to start seeds in. From there I usually put the larger ones (melons, squash, tomatoes) into their own little pots once they get big enough, and the smaller ones just go straight in the ground.
I just watched a youtube video about the seed blocker, looks cool! It's like the seed pellets but without the mesh. Does the soil start to fall apart after a few weeks of sitting in the seed flat?
I did the cells last year, but then I learned about making your own seed starting containers using toilet paper rolls. I basically cut the rolls in half, place them in a tray and fill with seed starting mix or potting soil. It's a lot cheaper than the pellets and it's reusing something we all have! I also do this when I'm wintersowing so the transplanting will be easier.
I haven't tried the toilet paper rolls yet. You'll have to let me know how you like them. Great job on the reuse! The cardboard will make it easier to plant them, and it'll break down fast too.
tried the toilet paper they did not hold up
once they got wet they fell apart
I bought 3 sets of cell(multi pack) from Lowe's and it was very cheap last year- 5 or 6 bucks if I remember right! Also, I've seen individual cells this year, at Walmart, if you're interested. I think Linder's/Gertens nursery should carry them too, just individual pieces, cell or dome etc., and they're cheap too.
I absolutely hate pellets, they dry out so soon and
Thanks for the info. I scored a bunch at a garage sale a few years back for free, so I have enough to last me a while. I thought it was interesting that HD only carries the pellets now.
I agree about the pellets. I've been checking them daily to maintain the moisture. I think it'll get really annoying once I start to harden them off, then they'll need to be watered several
Good info, Amy. If I ever get around to starting plants from seed indoors I think go with the cells. You could almost just plant the seeds directly in the soil this year–it's getting so warm so fast! Happy Spring!
Yes, it's so nice outside I'm feeling like I'm way behind on seed starting. I have to keep reminding myself it's only March and we could still get snow. It feels like June this week. I love it!
Mmmm. I guess I was always the vegetable gardening is cheaper and the product is fresher type. As to dirt is was all home composted. The flower gardens were mostly perenials. Now, I do farmers markets, since the kids are grown up, and I'm converting lawn to to wildflower gardens. And the woods to the same… Nice blog here.
Wow, you have enough produce to sell it at Farmer's Markets? Good for you! That must be a lot of work. Thanks for your nice comment about my blog.
Amy
I used the Peat pellets for the first time this year and I really don’t think they work well for larger seeds like beans or peas. My seedlings started busting out of them quickly, with roots invading other pellets. I had to transplant them to a bigger container after like 2 weeks.
Yes, that is definitely a disadvantage of the small peat pellets. They do make a larger size now for bigger seeds, I haven’t tried the larger size. Large peat pellets
Thanks for the post. Seems, as you said, it will come down to preference. I’m new to seeding as an adult (gardened with my mom in the traditional soil packs as a kid). Do you germinate prior to using the pellets? Or do they take care of the germination process?
Totally. It’s good to experiment to see which method you prefer. I never pre-germinate any of my seeds. As far as germination goes, the pellets work the same as the soil packs do.