newspaper seed starting pots tutorial

Meanderfly Creative http://meanderfly.blogspot.com/

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SU ND AY , F E B RU AR Y 1 7 , 2 0 0 8

Newspaper Seed Starting Pots

Time to get a head start on that garden! Every good

gardener needs seed starting pots for spring. So...

Welcome to the Newspaper Seed Starting PotsTutorial!Save money and be kind to the earth by recycling old

newspapers into biodegradable pots. You can also

reduce transplanting shock to your seedlings by

leaving them in the pots at planting time - the pots

will break down harmlessly in your garden soil!

What you need:

old newspapers (Colored newsprint may containpetroleum based ink. Soya based colored ink isfine. Check with the publisher or use only blackand white sheets for your pots if you areunsure.)

a can with a circumference equal to that whichyou want for your finished seed starting pots.

tape for stabilizing side seam and bottomcreases (optional)

(Please Note: Clicking on any of the tutorial images

will open a larger photo in a new window.)

For this tutorial I used a weekly publication that has

sheets


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(Please Note: Clicking on any of the tutorial images

will open a larger photo in a new window.)

For this tutorial I used a weekly publication that has

sheets

somewhat smaller than those of a standard daily

newspaper, but the principle is the same for full-sized

sheets.

Step 1. - Open your newspaper sheet out fully, as

shown below:

Step 2. - Fold the sheet in half, from top to bottom.

Step 3. - Then fold it in half again, from top to

bottom. You should now have a long narrow strip that

is a suitable depth for your pot, plus the ends that will

be folded in for the bottom.

Step 4. - Now you need that can. I used a 5.5 ounce

tomato paste can for an average-sized seed starting

pot. If your plant will be spending a longer time in the

pot, or if it has rapid rate of growth, use a larger can

and full-sized newspaper sheets.


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Step 5. - Lay your can on its side, on the newspaper,

leaving enough overhang to fold in and make a

bottom for your pot.

Step 6. - Now starting at one end, roll the newspaper

strip, snugly around the can. Don't wrap it too tight or

it won't slide out easily when you are done.

Step 7. - Continue rolling the can in the paper until it

is at the end. If desired you can secure the end with a

small piece of tape to make it easier to handle.

Step 8. - Then fold in the paper that extends past the

bottom of the can. Stand the can on a hard surface

and press down on it fairly hard, while twisting the can

back and forth. This will set the bottom creases of the

newspaper pot. Below is a shot of a finished pot on its

side.


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bottom of the can. Stand the can on a hard surface

and press down on it fairly hard, while twisting the can

back and forth. This will set the bottom creases of the

newspaper pot. Below is a shot of a finished pot on its

side.

Step 9. - Here is a shot of the pot from the bottom.

Place a small piece of tape along the edge to keep it

from unrolling. You can also tape the bottom if

desired, but when the pots are filled with soil and

placed in a tray they will hold their shape, even

without tape.

Step 10. - Time to admire your work! Ta dah! A

beautiful, biodegradable, newspaper seed starting pot.

Environmentally friendly gardening at its best.


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Environmentally friendly gardening at its best.

All that's left is to fill it with a good seed starting

medium. Gardening Joy!

And what makes a good seed starting medium? Read

all about it next time, I will even include a couple of

recipes for mixing your own seed starting soil.

newspaper seed starting pots tutorial

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