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Gardeners grow a lot of plants, and that usually means lots of plastic pots! However, recycler extraordinaire Millie Ross is aiming to change that with some alternative suggestions.
She shows how to make simple paper plant pots for growing seedlings. The pots will only last for 4-6 weeks before they start breaking down so aren't suitable for seeds that take a long time to germinate, but are great for fast-growing crops such as zucchini or pumpkin. The whole pot can be planted out in the garden when it’s ready, which means less transplant shock for the young plant.
Plan
Where will you prepare and plant your newspaper pots?
What materials do you need to source?
What seeds are you going to plant?
How will the weather or season affect the growth of your seedlings?
Do
How many pots can you make from one newspaper?
Review
How long did it take for your seedlings to appear?
Have you found a spot in your garden to transfer your pots to?
What are you going to plant next?
What you’ll need
- A long, tall cup or glass, shaped with a bit of a taper if possible
- Newspaper
- Potting mix
- Seed – fast growing species such as zucchini or peas work well.
Method
- Take 2-3 sheets of newspaper, lay it out flat on a table, then fold up the bottom third lengthways, and fold it up again, so you now have triple thickness.
- Lay the cup over the folded newspaper, so the open end of the cup sits about two thirds of the way up the paper. The overhanging third of the paper will fold inside the cup, so position the cup so the neat, single fold will wrap around the cup and the loose ends will be tucked inside.
- Roll the paper around the cup – no too tightly or it will be hard to remove the cup
- Try to keep the top of the cup rolling in a straight line
- Push the loose folded third into the cup and then carefully pull out the cup
- Use the base of the cup as a tamp to flatten out the folded-in paper, which will form the base of the pot. There will be a slight hole left but that’s ok – this will allow for drainage.
- Secure the loose edge of the paper with a paperclip or a staple.
- Fill your pot with potting mix and plant your seed into the pot.
