Make Newspaper Seedling Pots
Gardeners can get a jump on the growing season by starting plants indoors where it is warm and not subject to freezing temperatures. You can choose from a wider variety of seeds than can usually be found at the nurseries as plants (and seeds) are cheaper than buying the potted veggies. If the gardening bug bites you hard, you'll soon be wanting to start a few heirloom tomatoes or cool Italian basil plants from seed. These small, simple pots are easy to make, and they're biodegradable, too!
Steps
- Start with a section of newspaper.
- Cut the newspaper section in half. Cut several layers at once, to save time, but use only one sheet/single layer per pot.
- Cut it in half again, making the section into quarters.
- Take a small round container, like a spice jar. Roll the paper around it, leaving about an inch (2.5cm) overhang at one end where you will fold it in for the bottom. Don't roll too tightly or it will be too hard to get the jar out later.
- Fold the bottom in, as if you were wrapping a present.
- Tape the bottom shut. If you can, use masking tape or, if it's available in your country, biodegradable cellophane tape.
- Take out the jar. Turning it right side up, fold in the edges all around the top. Then fold it in again for stability and a shorter pot.
- Repeat. Make as many seedling pots as you have seeds needing to be planted.
- When it comes time to shifting the seedlings to the garden beds, the entire pot can be placed straight into the ground (just remove the tape first). Also, be sure to tear the bottom open first.
Tips
- For different size pots, use different size jars.
- Be sure to Harden Off Seedlings before transplanting outdoors.
- An alternative to using tape is to use a flour/water paste and letting it dry overnight.
Warnings
- American newspapers used soy-based ink which is considered safe to put in the soil. Check with your own printing industry outside of the USA for the content of newspaper inks. Note that colored, glossy inserts (or magazine pages) are best not used for this purpose unless you are sure that the inks are vegetable-based.
Things You'll Need
- Newspaper
- Tape (biodegradable if possible)
- Scissors
Related Articles
- Harden Off Seedlings
- Thin Out Seedlings
- Use Cardboard Milk Containers for Seedlings
- Start Seeds Indoors With Limited Space
- Start Guerrilla Gardening
- Transplant Herb Seedlings
Sources and Citations
- http://www.littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2009/02/newspaper-seedling-pots.html LittleHouseInTheSuburbs.com - Original source of content and images, shared with permission.
