Gardening Tray Guide: Best Trays for Seed Starting, Repotting & Terrace Drainage

“Gardening tray” has been a breakout search term this month, and it’s a small tool that solves two very ordinary terrace-gardening problems: how to start a dozen seedlings without a dozen pots, and how to stop water and soil from staining your rooftop or balcony floor. Here’s what a gardening tray actually does, and how to choose or make one.

The Two Kinds of Gardening Tray

1. Seed Starting Tray

A segmented tray with small cells (or a shallow flat tray filled with a fine seed-starting mix) lets you germinate many seeds together in one convenient, protected space, using far less mix and water than sowing each seed in its own pot. Once seedlings have their first true leaves, you transplant the strongest ones into their final pots or grow bags.

2. Drainage / Saucer Tray

A flat, solid tray placed under a pot catches the water that drains out after watering, protecting your rooftop, balcony floor or indoor flooring from stains, algae and soil runoff. This matters even more on a rooftop, where standing puddles can affect waterproofing over time.

How to Choose a Seed Tray

Look for individual cells rather than one open tray — this protects each seedling’s roots and makes transplanting far less disruptive. A clear plastic dome or cover (even cling film) over the top speeds up germination by holding in humidity. Make sure each cell has a small drainage hole, and sit the whole tray inside a second, solid tray to catch the overflow.

DIY Trays That Work Just as Well

You don’t need to buy a dedicated tray to get started. An empty egg carton makes a surprisingly good small seed tray — just poke a drainage hole in each cup. A cut-down plastic bottle crate, the lid of a large food container, or an old baking tray all work as drainage trays under pots. Reusing what you already have is often the most practical way to begin.

Using a Tray for Repotting

A tray isn’t only for seeds — keep one nearby whenever you repot or top up potting mix. It catches spilled soil so nothing goes to waste, gives you a clean, contained surface to mix compost and coco peat into your soil, and makes cleanup afterwards quick and simple.

Caring for Your Trays

Rinse trays after each use to prevent algae and fungus gnats, especially seed trays that stay moist for days at a time. Let them dry fully between uses, and a mild diluted vinegar or neem rinse every few weeks keeps mould from building up in the cells.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a gardening tray used for? Starting seeds in cells, and catching drainage water under pots.

Can I make one at home? Yes — a cut-down crate, an old baking tray or a food container lid all work well.

Does a seed tray need drainage holes? The cells do; the outer catch-tray underneath should stay solid.

How often should I use a drainage tray? Under any pot on a rooftop, balcony or floor you want to protect.

Final Thoughts

A gardening tray is a small, inexpensive tool that solves two real terrace problems — starting seeds efficiently and keeping your floor clean. Whether you buy one or repurpose what’s already in your kitchen, it’s worth keeping a tray or two on hand for the next sowing season.