Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Going green with recycled pots for seeds

In my last post about how to grow seeds I've mentioned seedlings of some plants that don't like to be transplanted (they don't like having their roots disturbed).

The seeds of these  delicate plants should therefore be planted at their permanent spot right away and when that's not possible, the best way is to start them in pots that will easily deteriorate in the ground - after being planted along with the seedling.

There's really no need to buy peat moss pots or alike - everyone has an abundance of materials to make these simple but practical seed-starters at home.

You will need:
  • toilet paper roll
  • coffee filter
  • twisty tie or rubber band 
How it's done?

It's the simplest craft ever - just secure coffee filter around the tube of bathroom tissue with rubber band or twisty tie. Paper coffee filter  provides the bottom with proper drainage to the pot - and keeps soil in it.

And - guess what - you can even use already used coffee filter... :) Paper towel rolls can be used as well - by cutting them to the proper height.



The only thing left to do is filling our new pots with potting soil and placing them on a tray or somewhere secure to make sure they don't tip over easily. I used the recycled plastic box from baby wipes - after adding some drainage holes in it.

Now you have your new pots, made of recycled materials, ready to grow some new plant seeds. They are taller than usual planters and are therefore great for seeds that take longer to germinate, especially trees and such.

 

When the new plant is ready to be planted outside, remove the rubber band or twisty tie, cut the side of your carton planter and make sure it's all covered in soil.

Check out a lot more ways to reuse paper rolls



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15 comments:

capybara said...

I have used toilet roll tubes before for planting seedlings but did not know about the coffee filter idea. Great tips and thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

That is brilliant! Thanks for this idea, I will certainly use it :)

Anonymous said...

This is a great idea- I actually never heard of anything like this. I'm not a "green thumb" but want to be. Thanks for the helpful tips!

Stop Energy Drains said...

I don't know if anyone did that before me but I've been looking at all those collected toilet paper rolls for quite a while and didn't like the idea to just fill them up with soil. - The bottom was missing!

And since I use coffee filters to seal the drainage holes on the bottom of the planters (to prevent the soil from being washed out) all the time, the solution was kind of obvious to me.

The funny thing is that I keep inventing improvements like this one mostly when I am really annoyed with something I have to do (and don't like it - or don't want to do it!)... :)

Sadie said...

That's a great idea!! I'm going to send this article to my mom. She's been looking for ideas like this. :)

Hellan said...

Great ideas, i will be sure to try these out thank you!

Anonymous said...

I can quickly see that your site is going to be a great recourse for me as I am planting my first garden, in the high desert, coming up in the spring.

Anonymous said...

that's a cool idea! i'd never heard of that before.

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! I am so excited to learn how to do this. What an inexpensive way to make sure I get my Hollyhock next year. Hollyhocks and I don't get along very well.

Anonymous said...

That picture with the coffee filter reminded me that my Mom used to dump coffee grounds under a Christmas tree she planted. It grew taller than her two story house and she eventually had to cut it down.

757jterrell said...

That is great. Wonderful idea. I will try it in the spring.

Anonymous said...

This is so clever! Even a person like me with two PURPLE thumbs could get this way right! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I can use this for one of our VBS crafts. We seem to always do something w/ tp rolls because they're cheap and free!

Stop Energy Drains said...

Yes, spread the word and have fun making pots and growing new plants! :)

Samantha & Mom said...

Wow! Thanks for the tips on growing plants!! Our Mom needs all the help she can get!! We'll be back to learn more!
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Daria's World - blog about people and things that matter the most

Daria's World - blog about people and things that matter the most
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