When it’s time to start seeds indoors, you’ll need to think about seed starting pots. Happily, you probably have everything you need to make these upcycled and environmentally friendly seed containers!
Read more about starting seeds for your garden here.
Yep, if you use toilet paper in your home, you’ve got the materials you need on hand to make these upcycled seed starting pots.
You could also use paper towel tubes, though if you’re trying to cut kitchen waste, that might have been one of the first things you cut out!
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Easy seed starting pots
Making these seed containers couldn’t be easier. You’ll need scissors and cardboard tubes – that’s it!
Start by cutting each toilet paper tube in half. (Cut paper towel tubes in quarters.)
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Make four cuts 1/3 of the into the roll. Space these equally around the circumference of the tube. No need to measure; just eyeball it.
Push the four “tabs” toward the center of the tube, then fold them one over the other as you would close the flaps of a box, tucking the “loose” tab under.
Press the folded cardboard a bit to flatten the bottom.
Fill each seed pot with a seedling starting mix and plant seeds. Water the seeds in well.
I find that these seed starting containers tend to dry out more quickly than plastic seed pots, so keep them in a tray that retains about a quarter inch of water at the bottom of the pots. They’ll absorb more water as they sit.
Planting seedlings
Since these containers are made from cardboard, the seedlings can be planted directly into the soil. The cardboard will biodegrade and the roots of the plant will push out through the bottom.
These containers are excellent for giving root crops and other crops that don’t like to be transplanted a head start. What you see in the images here are beet seedlings.
Environmentally Friendly Upcycled DIY Seed Starter Pots
Materials
- Cardboard tubes
Tools
- Scissors
Instructions
- Cut each toilet paper tube in half. (Cut paper towel tubes in quarters.)
- Make four cuts 1/3 of the into the roll. Space these equally around the circumference of the tube. No need to measure; just eyeball it.
- Push the four "tabs" toward the center of the tube, then fold them one over the other as you would close the flaps of a box, tucking the "loose" tab under.
- Press the folded cardboard a bit to flatten the bottom.
- Fill each seed pot with a seedling starting mix and plant seeds. Water the seeds in well and watch for sprouts!
- I find that these seed starting containers tend to dry out more quickly than plastic seed pots, so keep them in a tray that retains about a quarter inch of water at the bottom of the pots. They'll absorb more water as they sit.
Such a cool idea. Thanks