Essential Seed Starting Supplies for Successful Flower Farming
Over the years, we’ve sown endless seeds for our cut flower farm. In the early days, we were scrappy—rolling newspaper pots by hand under the overhang of our back porch while Emma twirled, singing, and Janey “drew” on the cement with water from the dog bowl. Those moments were endearing, but the process was time-consuming and far from efficient.
Fast forward eight years, and we’ve learned a lot through trial and error. From figuring out which seed-starting products break down too quickly to discovering tools that streamline our workflow, we’ve fine-tuned a system that delivers healthy, vigorous seedlings with minimal hassle.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your seed-starting game, I’m sharing our must-have supplies and trusted suppliers to help you make the most of your growing season.
This post contains affiliate links to products we use and love. If you purchase through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you—thank you for supporting our farm and content!
What We Look for in Seed-Starting Supplies
When choosing seed-starting supplies, we focus on products that meet these key criteria:
Sturdy:
Our trays and tools take a beating during the season. They need to withstand everyday use under harsh conditions without breaking.Increases Efficiency:
Time is money, and every product must justify its cost by saving time or effort.Promotes Healthy Seedlings:
We rely on healthy, vigorous seedlings that thrive in the field. Supplies must contribute to their success without unnecessary hiccups.Durability and Quality:
Cheap products that degrade quickly aren’t worth the investment. We prioritize tools and materials that last multiple seasons, saving money and hassle in the long run.Easy to Purchase:
Between kids and running two businesses, convenience is critical. Supplies must be quick and easy to source.
Seed Suppliers
Finding high-quality seeds is critical for a successful flower farming season. Over the years, we’ve developed a mix of go-to suppliers for reliability, unique varieties, and trusted quality. Here are a few standout options:
Johnny's Selected Seeds:
Employee-owned and market grower-friendly, Johnny’s offers consistent quality, new varieties each fall, and a wealth of free resources. Their user-friendly website and quick turnaround make them a reliable choice when last-minute sowing decisions arise.GeoSeed:
If you’re looking for variety and great bulk pricing, GeoSeed delivers. While their ordering process feels old-school (get ready to Google Latin names!), their selection is unmatched. Plan ahead, as turnaround times can take longer.Small-Scale Breeders and Suppliers:
For unique varieties and specialty flowers—especially for wedding work—small-scale breeders are worth the investment. Supporting these breeders brings exciting new varieties to your farm and keeps the industry innovative.Luna Sweet Peas: Exceptional sweet pea seeds with premium quality—we love supporting this small-scale seller!
Uprising Seeds: A family-run company offering organically grown heirloom varieties known for their quality and resilience. Their unique blooms add character to small-scale farms and premium floral designs.
We balance using large-scale suppliers for efficiency and reliability while turning to smaller breeders for specialty crops that set us apart.
Pro Tip: Invest in premium varieties for crops like sweet peas or sunflowers where quality directly impacts your market value.
If you're ready to dive deeper into seed starting, check out my Troubleshooting Seed Germination blog for healthy, thriving seedlings.
Soil Blocking: A Game-Changer for Healthy Roots
At the beginning of our soil-blocking journey, we worked with what we had—dollar store cookie sheets and mismatched trays. While it got us through, the soil blocks dried out too quickly, and the trays wasted precious greenhouse space. Over time, we invested in tools that made soil blocking efficient, reliable, and downright enjoyable.
Soil blocking is an excellent alternative to propagation trays, especially for crops that benefit from air pruning to prevent root-binding. With the right tools, you’ll see healthier seedlings, better transplant success, and less plastic waste over time.
Our Go-To Soil Blocking Supplies
Perfect for: Slow-growing or small-seeded varieties that need a longer start.
Favorite Crops: Larkspur, poppies, agrostemma, lisianthus, celosia, ornamental grasses, snapdragons, annual phlox, nigella, bachelor buttons, and stock.
Our Setup:
We pair the 3/4" mini soil blocks with Bootstrap Farmer’s 1020 shallow mesh trays and the shallow flood tray for efficient bottom watering. Each tray comfortably fits 200 mini blocks without overcrowding.
Perfect for: Larger-seeded or fast-growing crops that are ready to move out to the field quickly.
Favorite Crops: Zinnias, cosmos, ammi, marigolds, lupine, currant tomatoes, amaranth, orlaya, and honeywort.
Our Setup:
We use Bootstrap Farmer’s 1020 deep mesh trays with the deep flood tray for 2” soil blocks. The trays are sturdy enough to handle the weight, which matters when carrying multiple trays at once.
Why Mesh Trays Are a Game-Changer
Mesh trays paired with flood trays make soil blocking efficient and reliable:
Bottom watering prevents soil blocks from disintegrating, keeping seedlings hydrated without overhead damage.
Durability: Sturdy trays last for years under heavy use.
Efficiency: The setup streamlines watering and maximizes space, especially when working with 200+ blocks per tray.
Advanced Tip: Use soil blocking for crops that struggle with transplant shock. Air pruning encourages stronger roots, giving your seedlings a head start when planted in the field.
Soil Blocking Alternatives
Sometimes, soil blocking isn’t the ideal technique for all crops, but air pruning remains a game-changer for healthy roots. Fortunately, there are excellent tray-based alternatives that offer similar benefits.
Bootstrap Farmer's 72-Cell Air-Pruning Trays
Perfect for: Crops that outgrow soil blocks quickly but benefit from air pruning.
Favorite Uses: Ranunculus and anemone corms, as well as many of the same varieties we grow in 2” soil blocks—zinnias, cosmos, and honeywort.
Why We Love Them:
Faster to use than soil blocks, these trays still encourage strong root development and prevent root-binding.
Bottom watering is easy with the shallow flood trays, and the trays stack perfectly for storage.
4-Cell Plug Trays for Sweet Peas and Beyond
Sweet peas have a fast-growing taproot and quickly outgrow soil blocks. We’ve finally found the ideal solution with Bootstrap Farmer’s 4-Cell Plug Inserts paired with the deep flood tray.
Perfect for: Sweet peas, overwintering heirloom mums, scented geranium cuttings, and sedum starts.
Why We Love Them:
The deep cells give taproot-heavy crops the space they need to thrive.
Air pruning ensures strong, healthy root systems while saving time at planting.
Pro Tip: Use deep cell trays for overwintering hardy perennials like mums and sedum, giving them a head start before spring planting.
Propagation Trays: Reliable Workhorses for Seed Starting
While soil blocking is a go-to technique for many crops, sometimes the convenience of a traditional propagation tray is hard to beat. Trays are especially helpful when you’re short on time or need a method your kids can assist with. However, not all trays are created equal, and durability matters.
In the early years, we used cheap trays that deteriorated quickly. I can’t count how many times a tray broke in half, spilling seedlings while transporting them to the field. Investing in quality trays has been a game-changer for us, reducing waste and saving money in the long run.
Our Tray Preferences by Cell Size
Perfect for: Small, slow-growing crops that benefit from faster soil warming.
Favorite Crops: Lisianthus, snapdragons, foxglove, Iceland poppies, and violas.
Why We Use Them: These small cells are efficient for greenhouse space but require frequent monitoring to prevent drying out.
Perfect for: Medium-sized crops that are bumped up from smaller trays or directly sown for field planting.
Favorite Crops: Ornamental cabbage, dusty miller, amaranth, yarrow, agrostemma, bells of Ireland, gomphrena, and strawflower.
Why We Use Them: This is our go-to tray size for most crops. It strikes a balance between soil volume and space efficiency.
72- and 50-Cell Propagation Trays
Perfect for: Larger-seeded or fast-growing crops.
Favorite Crops: Calendula, zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, ornamental squash, and honeywort.
Why We Use Them: These trays provide ample space for larger seedlings and reduce transplant shock when moving to the field.
The Bootstrap Farmer Advantage
We use Bootstrap Farmer’s propagation trays exclusively now, and they’ve exceeded our expectations for durability and reliability. Unlike cheaper trays, these last multiple seasons, even with heavy use. The trays pair perfectly with deep flood trays for bottom watering, keeping seedlings hydrated without disturbing their roots.
Pro Tip: Use 200-cell trays for slow-growing crops early in the season, then bump them up to 128-cell trays for stronger growth before transplanting.
Tiny but mighty! Using a bamboo skewer makes sowing minuscule seeds like Iceland poppies precise and manageable.
Other Products We Use for Seed Starting
Seed starting goes beyond trays and soil blocks. The right tools and supplies can make a huge difference in efficiency, precision, and seedling success. Here are some of our must-have extras:
Bamboo Skewers: Tiny Seeds’ Best Friend
What We Use Them For: Sowing tiny seeds with precision.
How We Use Them: I keep a small jar of water and two bamboo skewers nearby. One skewer picks up the seed, and the other helps guide it into place. This simple, inexpensive tool is a game-changer for crops like snapdragons, Iceland poppies, and foxglove.
Watering Can: Gentle Hydration for Seedlings
Our Favorite: The Dramm 5-Liter Watering Can.
Why We Use It: Many watering cans deliver too harsh a flow, damaging delicate seedlings. The Dramm can produces a soft, even stream that’s gentle enough for freshly sown trays or seedlings.
Pro Tip: Keep plastic watering cans out of direct sunlight to prevent breakdown over time.
Fertilizers: Giving Seedlings a Strong Start
What We Use:
FoxFarm Trio Pack: This set includes Big Bloom and Grow Big, our go-to fertilizers for seedlings.
How We Use Them: We drench seedlings weekly with diluted fertilizer, bottom watering through flood trays for even uptake. Always fertilize hydrated seedlings and avoid full sun during the process to prevent burning.
Why We Chose FoxFarm: It’s gentler and more forgiving than fish emulsion (and far less smelly!).
Simple Tools, Big Impact
Sometimes it’s the simplest tools that have the biggest impact. When you’re sowing thousands of seeds season after season, the quality of your tools can significantly influence your efficiency, seedling success, and even your day-to-day stress levels.
Bamboo skewers, gentle watering cans, and bottom-watering systems may seem like small details, but they prevent frustration, improve workflow, and ensure your seedlings thrive. Investing in tools that truly work saves you time and energy—and makes the entire process smoother and more enjoyable.
Harvesting white Voyage lisianthus at sunset—one of the most rewarding parts of flower farming. These elegant blooms thrive with care, precision, and the right start from strong seedlings.
Invest in What Works for You
Seed starting is the foundation of a successful flower farm, and the right tools can make all the difference. From soil blocks that encourage strong, healthy roots to sturdy trays that last season after season, investing in quality supplies saves time, reduces frustration, and sets your seedlings up for success.
Whether you’re growing specialty blooms for wedding work or large-scale crops for markets, fine-tuning your seed-starting setup will streamline your process and improve your results.
If you’re ready to dig deeper, be sure to check out:
Troubleshooting Seed Germination for solutions to common seed-starting woes.
Soil Blocking Techniques for Healthy Seedlings for a step-by-step guide to mastering soil blocks.
Have favorite tools or techniques of your own? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s working for you!
Happy Seed Starting!
We are looking forward to sharing more blooms with you soon.
Jessica & Graham
