What Is a Plug Tray?
A plug tray is a gardening tool designed for the germination of vegetable and fruit seeds. It serves as a compartmentalized container, facilitating the early growth of seedlings until they are ready for transplanting into a garden or planter. Each compartment in the tray is filled with soil, and a single seed is sown per compartment.
Designed with internal protrusions, these trays prevent roots from growing too deep, thereby avoiding root entanglement and fostering robust root development. The trays’ sharp corners ensure stability and prevent sagging, avoiding contact with lower seedlings when stacked on a shelf cart. Plug trays are typically sold connected, allowing gardeners to separate them as needed.
Uses of Plug Tray
Plug trays are essential during the seedling phase of various vegetables and fruits, especially those susceptible to pest damage in early growth stages, like bell peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, and cucumbers. They are also effective for seeds with hard coats, which are generally more resistant to external factors but may have germination challenges.
For such seeds, soaking them overnight to swell before sowing in plug trays can enhance germination. This practice is particularly beneficial for vegetables like okra, spinach, edamame, and green beans.