Tools and equipment tequired
Wooden seed trays or indeed planting trays are great for sowing seeds and growing plants that don’t need to be in a propagator. I have many happy memories of repairing and decorating them every year at mottisfont. And they are brilliant for an environmentally and cost friendly of growing our plants on
Tools and equipment requirements
- A sharp hand saw
- 30-40mm galvanised round headed nails
- A claw hammer
- Pencil
- Tape measure
- Gloves
- Plasters for when you get a splinter or the saw jumps
-
Of course you can also ‘cheat and use power tools
After taking the wood off the pallets, remove the nails before starting work in them
Measure up to the size you want to build them, I wanted them 350mm long but you can do them in whatever length you want. Always start with the sides and bottom first
Saws are designed to have a inbuilt right angle, so after measuring up, I ensure that the square bit is tight to the wood and then draw a straight line across
Then cut it straight across, take time and don’t rush it. Make sure you have a sharp saw!
After cutting 3 bottom sections, it’s time to work out the width. Pallet wood can be all different sizes, so I lay them on a flat surface, leave a small gap between the planks for drainage and then measure how wide this is.
Then take off the width of the sides and then this is the length of wood I need to cut for the end sections
Next grab one of the side sections and drill a couple of pilot holes just in from the ends. This will help to reduce the chances of the wood splitting. I would do 2 each end
The next bit is easier with an extra set of hands no matter how young they are! Balance the 2 end sections on a flat surface, make sure it’s all square. Then grab a hammer and knock in the nails whilst not hitting your thumb!
Repeat with other side
Now the frame is together, turn it over and space out the bottom bits and hammer in the nails
The finished tray! You can paint it or stain it to preserve the wood or just use it as it is! Nice and simple, will last for years and cheap to make! Timbers free and nails are pretty cheap!
To use, just add a bit of paper to the bottom
Add compost and use
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