BURLINGTON, Vt. —Seedstarting is increasing in popularity and everyone from new to avid gardeners want to know the best way to start seeds. Gardener’s Supply new Fast Start Seedstarter is a revolution and makes it simpler and easier than ever to get fast germination and grow healthy seedlings. And because it's self-watering, it takes the worrying and watching out of seedstarting for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.  

The new planting tray is made from a revolutionary cornstarch-based material that offers the sturdiness of plastic but will biodegrade under landfill conditions — there’s no need to wash and sterilize at the end of the season because you use a fresh one each year. The rigid, molded plastic reservoir is dishwasher safe, leak-proof and will last for years. And the new, reusable capillary mat is machine-washable.

“We’ve been working and testing for many years to develop an ecologically-friendly, self-watering seedstarting system that gets the same excellent results as our APS ™ Seedstarting Kits,” said Diane Fuchs, Gardener’s Supply employee-owner who helped test the Fast Start Seedstarter.

In addition to being earth-friendly and easy-to-use, Fast Start products provide an exceptionally high success rate. “In our testing of Fast Start, we saw close to 100 percent germination,” Fuchs said. “Seedlings get the right amount of water when they need it to germinate, and you don’t have to keep an eye on it all the time. It’s a great system for beginners who want to try out seedstarting, and for more experienced folks who want success without worry.”

Four years in the making, the breakthrough Fast Start Seedstarter (40-160, $14.95) promotes fast germination and robust seedling growth in a convenient, earth-friendly, self-watering growing system. Each Fast Start Seedstarter contains:

•         A disposable, Biodegradable Planting Tray, made from a revolutionary cornstarch material that eliminates the need for washing and sterilizing

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•         A clear Greenhouse Cover to capture heat and moisture for fast germination

•         A Machine-Washable Capillary Mat to wick up the perfect amount of water for young seedlings

•         A top-rack Dishwasher Safe, Leakproof Reservoir that lasts for years, and a sturdy Platform to support the growing tray and capillary mat within the reservoir.

Simply add lightweight seedstarting mix and a seed to each cell, fill the reservoir with water, place in a spot with plenty of light and watch your seedlings mature in plenty of time for the growing season! Additional Fast Start Planting Trays (item #40-238, $8.95 for a set of 4) can be purchased separately for multiple uses.

Even gardeners who are new to seedstarting can have success with the Fast Start Success Kit (item #40-274, $34.95), which contains everything needed to produce healthy seedlings: 2 Fast Start Seedstarters, 24 wooden seedling markers, 2.5 oz. of Plant Health Care nutrient supplement and one brick of Eco-Co™ Coir—an effective, economical and earth-friendly medium for starting seeds that’s derived from discarded coconut husks.

To learn more about starting seeds for flowers or vegetables, visit Gardener’s Supply website or call 1-800-955-3370. 

Founded in 1983, Gardener’s Supply is an employee-owned company of avid gardeners providing garden-tested, earth-friendly products combined with practical information. Located in Burlington, Vermont, the company has won many awards for its patented products and innovative management style.