Okay, this is my new favorite project. I’m so excited to share it with you! It’s easy, it’s practical, and it’s just so very Earth-friendly. ¡Qué bueno!
Fellow farmers, this is hands-down the best way to start your spring seeds indoors. These individual containers are the perfect size for a sprout, and come garden time, there’s no stressful transplanting. When the seedling is ready for the outside, simply open up the bottom of the newspaper pot and drop the entire thing into the ground. There’s no plastic containers involved, the newspaper will biodegrade in your garden, and your wee plant will never be uprooted. So, ready to get folding? You’ll need a stack of newspaper and a standard soup can. Here’s what you do:
Spread out a full sheet of newspaper and then carefully split it in half, along the crease.
Take one of the halves and carefully split it in half again, along the other crease. You will end up with one quarter of a whole newspaper sheet.
Orient your sheet so that it is taller than it is wide, and then fold the bottom edge up to the top.
Your sheet has now been folded in half to make a rectangle. Press along the bottom to make a tight crease.
Along the bottom of the rectangle, fold the creased edge over about an inch to make a small flap. Press along the edge to make it nice and tight.
Turn the paper so that it is now facing you lengthwise.
Lay your can on the newspaper so that it hangs over the edge of the folded side (over the flap). Wrap the newspaper around the can until it overlaps itself.
Keeping your fingers on the seam to prevent it unwrapping, turn the can on it’s end.
Continuing to hold the seam with one hand, begin folding down the excess newspaper to create a bottom. I usually fold it down in four flaps. It may take a few tries to master this part, but eventually you will be able to get a flat, solid bottom.
Flip the can over and carefully wiggle it out of the newspaper pot. Don’t forget to keep holding that seam!
Now, where the newspaper overlaps itself, one end will be on the ‘outside’ and one end will be on the ‘inside’. On the ‘outside’ piece, gently lift that one-inch flap up.
Fold the ‘inside’ end under the flap, and tighten up that seam.
Voilà! She is a seed pot!
That’s all there is to it! Just start your seeds as normal in their individual pots. Don’t forget to label them (I used green tape and a sharpie), and make sure to open up the bottoms before you put them in the ground, to allow their roots to extend.
Happy gardening!
Alex
25 March, 2009
This is an awesome idea! Think we’ll try this here. The only thing I’d worry about is what sort of newspaper ink is leaching into the ground (especially if you’re growing food), but as it turns out most are not too too bad. I’d say go for papers that use soy-based inks, if possible.
Sayward
27 March, 2009
@ Alex – yeah I thought about that, but I know plenty of gardeners who use shredded newspaper as mulch or compost. I’m sure it’s quite safe. =)
hayley
28 March, 2009
i love this idea. i’m going to do it with my students monday!
Sayward
31 March, 2009
@ Hayley – Let me know how it turns out, yeah?
@ Princessjen003 – Welcome! Glad you like it. =)
roycecedric
7 November, 2009
Good article. Not only do newspapers need to grow online attention, but the revenue stream has to grow exponentially. So there is a drop in daily paper delivery.
Kristin
2 February, 2010
I tried this at home, and although my little pots aren’t quite as artistic as yours, I know they will perform admirably! Thank you so much for this post. Now I know what to do with my extra newspapers. :)
Sayward
6 February, 2010
@ Kristin – They don’t need to be cute as long as they’re functioning – and I’m sure yours will do their duty. =) Where do you live that you’re planting this early? I’m jealous!!
Sarah
12 February, 2010
What a great idea! I especially like the how to with pictures. Looking forward to trying this! Thanks.
Nor Cal
Sarah
12 February, 2010
Love the how to pictures! Great idea and frugal and earth friendly…can’t go wrong there!
Angela
13 February, 2010
I have a little gadget for doing this. Never thought to use a soup can. Oh well. I take the little thing to school and let the kidlets use it; they think it’s great fun. I wish my crocus were blooming as yours are now; we just got two inches of fresh snow. :(
Sayward
14 February, 2010
@ Sarah – Thanks!
@ Angela – It’s such a great kids project! Can’t wait to do it with my own little wee one. =)
Tina
22 February, 2010
wow! this is such a good idea! I usually just go to my local store and get the biodegradable little jiffy-seed starters, but this saves money and is just as good. can’t wait to see how it works out.
Shannon
1 March, 2010
I love it! I saw a tool for this once and wanted it..I will want no more!!! I featured you on my blogs facebook page today!!!
http://www.facebook.com/margaritastewart
Hannah
3 March, 2010
I love the idea! I tried it out but it didn’t work so well…… lol XD
Annie
21 March, 2010
My “gardening guru” has a wooden device (ordered from a gardening catalog)–the process is the same, but the dowel is carved with a disc on the bottom to smash the pot’s bottom more securely. Have you ever seen one?
Sayward
22 March, 2010
@ Hannah – Practice makes perfect!
@ Annie – Haven’t seen that. Does it make a huge difference?
rebecca
26 March, 2010
great how-to. thanks.
should we make holes in the bottom of the pot? i thought seed starter pots had to have holes at the bottom.
also, is the newspaper ink bad for you if you’re growing vegetables? does it get into the soil and into the vegetables that you’ll eat?
Sayward
9 April, 2010
@ rebecca – You don’t need to make holes because the water will just soak right through the newspaper (holes are usually to ensure proper drainage)
As far as I understand, the ink does not harm you. Newspapers have been used in gardens for ages (as compost, as ground cover, etc), so I’m pretty confident that it’s safe. That said, I haven’t seen any actual studies.
Anyone have more info on this?
Amy Miller
29 April, 2010
I love this idea!! I added the idea as a feature on my blog: http://www.amyemiller.typepad.com to share on Earth Day!! Keep up the great work, I hope to have chickens one day too.
Sayward
6 May, 2010
@ Amy Miller – Thanks for the add and link! Your blog is adorable – I love the book spine book marks!
Jenny
12 May, 2010
I was exploring etsy this morning, and found this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/46249463/20-recycled-biodegradable-seedling?ref=storque
I just want to thank you because you’re amazing and are so willing to share your ideas (instead of selling them)!
Sayward
13 May, 2010
@ Jenny – Wow that’s crazy! I guess convenience goes a long way.
And thanks. But I have to say, please don’t hate me if/when I begin selling things on Bonzai. A girl’s gotta eat! (and I think I’ve got quality goods to offer) . . .
Pat
29 June, 2010
Sayward, these are amazing! I just wanted to thank you for the idea, my sister and myself both used them, we BTW live in europe, and I thought you might like to know that even out here we love your blog!
26 Comments to How To Make Newspaper Seed Pots