Newspaper Plant Pots for Earthday

What better way to celebrate Earth day than getting growing and sowing. Here's a tutorial to get you in the mood.

It's that time of the year again, the rush to get the last few seeds into pots, allowing them a head start on the plants sown in situ after the last frost date. If your like me and wish to do this as frugally and eco-friendly as possible then newspaper potters are your new best friend. 

Things you'll need:

• A metal ruler (or something to rip the paper against - so much easier than scissors)
• Masking tape
• Something to roll your paper with. A hairspray can for smaller pots or a glass or can of beans for larger. Whatever you have lying around.
• And finally . . .  A newspaper

1. Grab yourself a newspaper. I find those smaller ones (like the free one you get on public transport for example) to be a great size for making little seedling pots, and much easier for little ones to get to grip with.

2. Place your paper on a flat surface and using the ruler, tear down the middle of a sheet using the centre fold as a guide.

3. One you have 2 halves of a single sheet then proceed to fold that half in half again lengthways.

 

4. With the fold positioned at the top, roll the paper up with the can, be careful not to wrap too tightly as you may have difficulty removing it. Use the bottom of the can not the lid, because unless tapped on it could pop off inside your pot.

5. Pop a little masking tape over the join, allowing a little to over shoot the end, this will allow your opt to stay attached to the can whilst your making the bottom.

6. Mark the can with tap or pen to your desired pot length, about 2/3rds of the papers width. Pull the paper to this line. This way all your pots will be equal, giving a better opportunity for light to reach them all

7. Press the bottom into the end of the can in 4 steps. Starting with the overlapped paper for greater security.

A

B

C

D

8. Stand the can upside down and pop a little tape on the bottom to secure it in place.

9. Slide off the can, your pot should stand up perfectly straight. If your feel the bump in the bottom is standing too proud, then poke it down to flatten the base out.

10. Press down the masking tape that overlaps the edge to secure all layers together.

There you have it, a lovely little newspaper pot. Perfect for starting herbs,veggies and flowers. You may get a few roots poking through the sides of the pot when your plants are established, the paper will not hinder root growth at all, in this respect this is a much better alternative to a plastic pot, which is not only costly to buy but is costly to the Earth's resources. This method reduces waste and means you wont have to clean it at the end of the season. just plonk it into the ground where it will decompose completely. 

Now all that's needed are a few more of these little darlings. Get the little ones to help or hog the fun for yourself, its a very relaxing way to spend a wet afternoon indoors. 

Now its time to get planting.Fill the pots with your preferred peat free potting mix.

Firm the soil into your pot before sowing your seed. This one is a cantaloupe Melon. Sown on its edge to discourage rot.

You could label your pots with another strip of tape and a non toxic waterproof marker.

Once filled put all your paper pots in a seed tray and water with a very fine mist.

Whatever the weather enjoy your potting.