Recycled Pots For Seedlings

In the spring, many gardeners start plants from seeds and then transplant seedlings into the garden. This can put the harvest time weeks ahead for late-producing crops. Many people grow seedlings in plastic trays or cells and then pull the plants and put them in a garden. Reusable injected or molded plastic cells and trays are available, although they are expensive and can be hard to find.

A seemingly more efficient choice is cheaper plastic cells available at most major discount retailers and garden centers. The problem is, the seeding trays offered are often disposable and wasteful and need to be purchased year after year. What’s worse, the pots can tear as the plants are removed, rendering the pots useless and possibly damaging the plants. Unfortunately, the young plants may not be strong enough to withstand much handling. Why not put them into the ground, pot and all? One option is to use commercially available peat-based pots that are made to be planted along with the transplant. A more economical and eco-friendly approach is to make your own pots from old newspapers and grow your seedlings in them.

There is no science to making the pots, and people use slightly different methods to create them. Making the pots is easy, and assembling the containers yourself allows you to make the sizes most useful for you.

Start with a can or jar roughly the size you would like the pot to be, and then get newspaper strips of an appropriate size and a hard, flat surface, such as a countertop or table. Here are basic instructions for a pot about 3 ½ inches across:

  • Take a strip of newspaper about 6 or 8 inches wide and 20 to 22 inches long and roll it around a can (about 15 ½ oz. size) with an inch or two hanging off one side.
  • Fold the hanging end down over the bottom of the can, folding in the edges to overlap.
  • Put the can and newspaper down on the folded paper end and press hard while turning so that the paper inside fans out and the folded edges press together tightly. Some people choose to use tape or glue to hold the folded edges together (like wrapping a present), but the pots should hold together well without the extra support. You may choose to fold the top edges of the paper down into the pot for added sturdiness.
  • Use the pots as you would any other transplant pot, but be very careful when moving them not to tear the paper.
  • When you plant them in the ground, pierce the sides of the newspaper in several places and tear off any excess paper at the top. This helps the paper to break down more quickly.
Keep in mind that this process will work for any size pot that you need or want to try. Find containers that are hiding around your house: medicine bottles, soda cans, jars, or any other pot of an appropriate size. Try different paper thickness and see what works best for you and your plants. You may need to make especially thick pots for large plants or for plants spending longer than average in the paper pots before being transplanted.

SOURCE: Melissa Miles, Extension Graduate Assistant, and Mary Beth Musgrove, Extension Associate-Horticulture, Alabama Cooperative Extension System