Zaaitrays | Want

The story behind Trayzilla

Trayzilla didn't just happen. It's the result of years of experience, experimentation, and a deep love of gardening.

My passion for vegetable gardens began years ago, inspired by Wim Lybaert's YouTube videos.

His enthusiasm and generosity in sharing knowledge motivated me to start a small vegetable garden.

Spoiler alert: that vegetable garden didn't stay small for long. The TV series "Maarten's Vegetable Garden" by Maarten 't Hart also presented a romantic image of vegetable gardening, which I wanted to emulate.

The search for the perfect seed tray

My search for the ideal seed tray soon began. I tried everything: handmade pots made from newspaper, a semi-professional pot press, and a motley collection of seed trays from Marktplaats.

Whether it was trays with 51 holes, 200 holes or deep root trays, it was all just not quite right.

Even with homemade tools like cork plug poppers I wasn't completely satisfied.

Meanwhile, through my algorithm, I got to know experts like Charles Dowding and Richard Perkins.

Their knowledge of regenerative agriculture and efficient gardening techniques inspired me to further professionalize my own vegetable garden.

What started with 10 beds grew to 30 beds, all standardized to 10 meters long and 70 cm wide, with 40 cm wide aisles.

The search for the perfect seed tray

My search for the ideal seed tray soon began. I tried everything: handmade pots made from newspaper, a semi-professional pot press, and a motley collection of seed trays from Marktplaats.

Whether it was trays with 51 holes, 200 holes or deep root trays, it was all just not quite right.

Even with homemade aids like cork plug poppers I wasn't completely satisfied.

Meanwhile, through my algorithm, I got to know experts like Charles Dowding and Richard Perkins.

Their knowledge of regenerative agriculture and efficient gardening techniques inspired me to further professionalize my own vegetable garden.

What started with 10 beds grew to 30 beds, all standardized to 10 meters long and 70 cm wide, with 40 cm wide aisles.

The first steps towards Trayzilla

In 2017, I began working on the first design. My goal was a seed tray in which seedlings would easily emerge without pulling or pushing. My first experiments consisted of cutting cardboard boxes into shapes reminiscent of "plaster mold holders" with notches.

The first steps towards Trayzilla

In 2017, I started working on the first design. My goal was a seed tray in which seedlings would easily emerge without pulling or pushing.

My first experiments consisted of cutting cardboard boxes into shapes reminiscent of "plaster mold holders" with notches.

With the help of others with experience and knowledge in 3D printing, the first serious prototypes followed.

Each design was extensively tested in practice, with adjustments being made each time until the basis for the current design was created.

Air-pruning

I wanted the trays to allow for as much air circulation as possible, as air pruning significantly improves seedling strength. However, this placed high demands on the production method.

Options such as 3D printing, pressing and cutting were eliminated due to inefficiency or the large amounts of waste material they generated.

Ultimately, we found the solution in injection molding with recycled HDPE, a sustainable and robust material. This technique combines efficiency with minimal waste and allows us to guarantee Trayzilla's high quality.

Air-pruning

I wanted the trays to allow for as much air circulation as possible, as air pruning significantly improves seedling strength. However, this placed high demands on the production method.

Options such as 3D printing, pressing and cutting were eliminated due to inefficiency or the large amounts of waste material they generated.

Trayzilla is now available for everyone

After years of trial and error, Trayzilla is now a product I'm incredibly proud of. It's available to anyone who values quality, sustainability, and optimal plant growth. Because if there's one thing I've learned, it's that the right tools can make a world of difference.