A shipping cradle for seedlings and the like is both nestable and stackable. When stacked, a gap is formed between vertically-adjacent cradles to permit insertion and removal of trays of seedlings, and to permit visual inspection of the seedlings. A drainage system includes a series of channels and openings that prevent water from draining onto seedlings positioned in the lower cradles. The cradles are lightweight, and can be shipped in the nested position to substantially reduce shipping costs.