Would this work?

**DonnainME** · 06-19-2008, 10:41 AM

We have some Styrofoam containers from buying hamburger meat and mushrooms at the grocery store. I have started cleaning them off and keeping them. I am thinking that in winter we can start our seeds in these. We won't have to buy plants when we want to start our garden, we could have our own. I hate to just throw the Styrofoam away and I want to spend less on our garden next year.

What do you think? Or am I being silly.

I also kept an egg carton - thinking of using it the same way.

**freebs** · 06-19-2008, 10:49 AM

i know you could use your egg cartons for little starter trays, not sure about the meat trays as they arent very deep.

**Suzi T.** · 06-19-2008, 11:09 AM

Hi, In the past I have saved the flar styrofoam meat liners for cookies that I wanted to store or give as gifts. Make sure you wash very well before use. Decorate with colored saran wrap stuff.Makes something small seem so much bigger!

**suki** · 06-19-2008, 11:57 AM

I don't think the styrofoam trays are deep enough for seed starting.

However, hubby has saved and used the plastic containers like the ones you purchase strawberries in, the rotissery chicken containers, cookies... you get the picture. We don't buy much of this stuff, but when we do he washes the container and re-uses them for seed starting. They work great... little mini greenhouses.

**angelbumpkin** · 06-19-2008, 12:03 PM

Just make sure you wash them well. But does work. As well as egg cartoons.

**One Frugal Mom** · 06-19-2008, 12:38 PM

Egg cartons work great, I beleive the mushroom container would work also.

I, personally, would not use the ones that had raw meat in them. I just have this phobia concerning any raw meats. I would have to bleach it really well, and that would probably not be very good for starting seedlings. LOL

**baxjul** · 06-19-2008, 01:22 PM

I would think that they would work.

**freyadog** · 06-19-2008, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by suki

I don't think the styrofoam trays are deep enough for seed starting.

However, hubby has saved and used the plastic containers like the ones you purchase strawberries in, the rotissery chicken containers, cookies... you get the picture. We don't buy much of this stuff, but when we do he washes the container and re-uses them for seed starting. They work great... little mini greenhouses.

But they are deep enough to start your sprouts in. I do all the time in early spring. Just keep them moist between 2 pieces of paper towel or sponges.

**prftstrngr** · 06-19-2008, 10:28 PM

Oh I love the rotisserie chicken container idea!!! Never thought of that. We dont buy them often either but I will definately keep them now!!

**Thrifty Mom** · 06-19-2008, 11:38 PM

Even if they are not deep enough to plant in, they will be great to put under a container that has holes (did you save any of those from buying plants?). Also you can set those peat pellets on them.

I have quite a few of the "mini green houses" because my mil was a faithful consumer of frozen Marie Calendar pies. I confiscated the tins & the plastic tops & I use the peat pellets, which of course I buy on clearance at season end sales.

**DonnainME** · 06-20-2008, 01:11 PM

Thanks guys.

The meat containers I'm talking about are the ones that are deep - like 3 inches or 4 inches deep.

**Rosebush3** · 06-20-2008, 06:59 PM

I would go with the suggestion of using egg cartons. When it comes time to transplant, you can plant the whole cup with the soil and plant right in it, directly into the ground. Less disturbing the roots and the cardboard will break down in the garden anyway. I like the idea of using the trays to give cookies or other treats, like fudge or brownies or whatever.. for holidays.

If you are just trying to reuse the styrofoam trays because you inevitably bring them home from the grocery store, how about getting your meat wrapped in paper from the meat department. Not only would you save on having to repurpose styrofoam (which isn't so good for the environment) but also less plastic wrap as well.

**Frugal Nurse** · 06-20-2008, 07:04 PM

MEAT! Yuk!

I wouldn't chance contamination. then again... I'm vegan.

Can you bleach them? I don't know.
I like the egg carton thing better.

Regaring the depth of the tray.. I think that ground beef comes in a tray that is like a bowl.

It would be interesting to try it.

**thecowgirl** · 06-21-2008, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by DonnainME

We have some Styrofoam containers from buying hamburger meat and mushrooms at the grocery store. I have started cleaning them off and keeping them. I am thinking that in winter we can start our seeds in these. We won't have to buy plants when we want to start our garden, we could have our own. I hate to just throw the Styrofoam away and I want to spend less on our garden next year.

What do you think? Or am I being silly.

I also kept an egg carton - thinking of using it the same way.

i would be concerned about bacteria from the meat and egg containers? but maybe that is just me?

**DonnainME** · 06-24-2008, 08:54 PM

The egg containers are 100% recycled paper already. No eggs are broken in them. I have cut off the tops and left the egg hole sections. I have 2 of them now. I put the "bad" parts to burn in our burn barrel (can't burn them in the wood stove because they might clog up the air holes.

I did clean out the meat Styrofoam sections with hot water and soap - I think they will be ok if I need them. I would prefer to use the egg cartons though.

In our small town - at the only grocery store - the ground beef from the meat counter is almost 3 times more expensive than in the Styrofoam packaging.