Newspaper Seed Pots Revisited

For years, I've made little newspaper pots using a soup can. It worked just fine!

Some time in the past year, I picked up one of those wooden forms they sell in the seed catalogs for $15. I got mine at Goodwill for about 80 cents. It came with instructions too!
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According to the instructions, I just needed a single strip of paper, about four inches long. (When I made them with a soup can, I folded an entire sheet into thirds and used that.)
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After folding the ends down, you simply press the form into the wooden base.
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The next day we labeled the pots with a Sharpie, filled them with potting soil and planted seeds. We have some simple, inexpensive kitty litter pans (that we bought new several years ago - they were never used for kitty litter) that we use as trays. Covering the top with plastic wrap makes a simple, affordable seedling-starting greenhouse.

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Bottom line, the wooden pot maker works the same as a soup can, so you can save your money if you like. I only got it because it was so inexpensive and I thought maybe it would somehow be 'better'. And it did help me - following the instructions showed me that I didn't need so many layers of paper for each pot. The single strip makes a perfectly serviceable seedling pot, and I can get more of them from a single section of newspaper. Also, because they are less bulky, stapling them is not necessary.

We planted seeds for several varieties of tomatoes and peppers, along with some ground cherries (hope springs eternal!). Everything else in our garden will be seeded directly.

Have you started your garden yet? What are you planting? What's your favorite fresh-from-the-garden treat? (I think mine is...all of them!)

Comments

I've been making these newspaper pots, too, Laura. I'm glad to learn that a single strip of paper is sufficient.
sharon :) said…
I love the idea of newspaper pots! But one thing I don't get...is how you get the bottom to stay put/folded/together without tape.....I 'get' the rest of the pot, just not the bottom!!!

Thanks!

sharon :)
Laura said…
I was glad about that too, J! It's making each section of the paper go further. :)

Sharon, the wooden pot maker has a groove in that wood base that you push it into - it could be that the groove sort of helps it stay together. Also, once there is dirt in it, it just stays put. If you try making them and they don't stay together for you, try a staple on the top/side or even a dab of flour/water paste. Hope that helps! :)
sharon :) said…
ok, i see now....Thanks!


sharon :)
Carrie said…
I made origami newspaper pots one year... and the stupid things didn't grow until we gave up and dumped the dirt in the garden. ;) These look WAY easier!
beckyjam said…
this is neat! Thanks for sharing!

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