Reading the newspaper is a pleasant way to spend the morning or evening, but once you’re finished reading, the paper goes into the recycling bin or simply tossed. What if there was another way to use those old newspapers? Well, there are, in fact, several ways of reusing a newspaper; but for the gardener, making newspaper seed pots is the perfect repurpose.
About Recycled Newspaper Pots
Seed starter pots from newspaper are simple to make, plus starting seeds in newspaper is an environmentally friendly use of the material, as the paper will decompose when the seedlings in newspaper are transplanted.
Recycled newspaper pots are fairly simple to make. They can be made in square shapes by cutting the newspaper to size and folding the corners in, or in a round shape by either wrapping cut newsprint around an aluminum can or folding. All this can be accomplished by hand or by using a pot maker – a two part wooden mold.
How to Make Newspaper Seed Pots
All you will need to make seed starter pots from newspaper is scissors, an aluminum can for wrapping the paper around, seeds, soil, and newspaper. (Do not to use the glossy ads. Instead, opt for actual newsprint.)
Cut four layers of newspaper into 4 inch (10 cm.) strips and wrap the layer around the empty can, keeping the paper taut. Leave 2 inches (5 cm.) of the paper below the bottom of the can.
Fold the newspaper strips under the bottom of the can to form a base and flatten the base by tapping the can on a solid surface. Slip the newspaper seed pot from the can.
Starting Seeds in Newspaper
Now, it is time to start your seedlings in newspaper pots. Fill the recycled newspaper pot with soil and press a seed lightly down into the dirt. The bottom of seed starter pots from newspaper will disintegrate so put them in a waterproof tray next to each other for support.
When the seedlings are ready to transplant, simply dig a hole and transplant the entirety, recycled newspaper pot and seedling into the soil.