It’s Spring and time for planting seeds, which will eventually be a delicious meal on our table. Potting seeds and watching them grow is so fulfilling. One thing I can’t get past is using plastic pots to watch the process. This is why I have switched to newspaper seedling pots for part of my crop.
Planting seeds, watering them, tending to the dirt is all so natural that sometimes I want an alternative to the plastics. As I mentioned- I use both, but generally my plastic is recycled from single use plastics around my house.
Related Post: 6 Alternatives to Plastic Pots for Your Vegetable Starts
This is why I switched to making my own DIY newspaper seedling pots. They are super easy to make, and quickly become a natural part of your process- as they eventually biodegrade into the soil as your garden grows. They are one of my favorite types of growing mediums. It feels so in touch with the process from start to finish and I love it. From building them to planting them in the soil- it connects us back to Creation and the art of using our hands to craft. If you want to learn how to build your own keep reading!
How to Build Your Own DIY Newspaper Seedling Pots
You will need:
- A stack of newspapers
- A small jar
- A spray bottle (not necessary)
- Soil
- Seeds of your choice
- Scissors
Step 1.) Lay out your newspaper and make sure it is not too big, if it is you can fold it in half or cut it in half to make two.
Make sure you have plenty of room and set your first piece of paper on a flat surface to begin.
Step 2.) Lay your jar on its side, about half way up the newspaper piece and a few inches into the paper. Fold the newspaper over the jar, nearly to the top of the jar.
See this in the picture below:
Step 3.) Next you are going to fold in those extra inches of paper (on the side) tightly against the jar.
Wrap the paper against the jar like you would wrap a present. See pictures below:
My pictures only show the beginning but fold both flaps of paper over the jar so everything on that side is tight against the jar. I added arrows to show what I mean.
Step 4.) After this you roll the jar up into the newspaper. Make sure the bottom stays flush and that the newspaper doesn’t roll sideways down the bottom. You want it to be flush so it sits without falling over.
Like this:
You may have to rework the paper as you roll to maintain that flush bottom. Roll it tight but not tight enough that you can’t get the jar out. Don’t worry if you mess up you can do it over again! It’s all a learning process.
Step 5.) Remove the jar and fold the top over two times to secure the paper.
Now some people prefer to fold the paper over before they take the jar out because it helps make it easier to fold. Then they unfold the top, take the jar out and fold it over again. This makes it easier for some because it was pre-folded so you don’t have to struggle to maintain a circle shape while you fold the top over. It already has seams and folds a lot easier.
I prefer to do it after the jar is out. It is hard for me to fold the top over and then unfold it. I take the jar out and then carefully fold side by side, the pot keeps it shape pretty well.
It will start out like this, with the jar still inside or not:
And end like this (remember no matter what method you use to take the jar out haha!):
Step 6.) Place newspaper scraps at the bottom of the pot. This helps the pot last longer.
Step 7.) Fill your pot with soil and the seeds of your choice!
Make sure you follow the instructions for the seeds you choose on their packaging.
Step 10.) Water your seeds and watch them grow!
Again, following the water, temperature, and sunlight directions for your seeds, watch them bud and produce fruit! I use a spray bottle to water my seeds, it’s what I recommend so you aren’t flooding the pots and tray making the pots not last as long as they could.
This was how to make newspaper seedling pots! Thank you for reading, have fun, and God bless you!
