Natural Seed Starting Pots
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Recycle Those Paper Grocery Bags
Gardening season seems to begin as soon as the seed catalogs arrive at our house. To get ready for seed starting time, I take a little bit of time to fashion some quick and easy paper pots.
Depending on what types of seeds will be planted in them will determine what type and size of paper I use. I like old grocery bags the most. They fold nicely, hold their form well and break down slowly. Many times, I’ve been able to plant my starts directly into the soil, paper pot and all. I do always make sure to cover the entire pot with soil when planting out. If this is not done, moisture will wick up to the top edge and the paper won’t break down.
Pots can be made assembly-line fashion while watching TV in the evening. I start by cutting all of the squares of paper at once. Generally speaking, the size of the square of paper is double that of the finished pot. Once the paper squares are cut and squared up, they can be quickly folded. It only takes a few minutes to make a pot.
Today, I have started perennial bunching onions. Following the seed starting information on the packet, this small pot should produce sixteen to twenty plants. Once they have germinated, I will move them under grow lights until transplanting or planting time, depending on the weather. They are a very hardy type of onion and will grow for many years.
The photos show the order in which to make the grocery bag pots.
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Hi Cloverleaffarm. Yes, I've used newspaper as long as it's been printed with soy-based inks (and never colored ink). I've found that's it's helpful to use more than one layer of newsprint for each pot. They are sturdier and don't break down as quickly. Thank you for reading!
That's true. Never thought about the ink. How would you know if it's soy or not?
Another thought...I have used paper towels to store seeds. I have used them in the past for pumpkin and other large seeds. After they dry, you can fold up the paper towel and write on the outside...be sure you do this or otherwise you'll have mystery seeds. I do that every year.
When you go to plant, you can just tear off as needed.
This is so making me want spring faster!
Yes, I'm looking forward to getting back in the garden!
For the question on inks - many times the newspaper will print that information as part of their editorial information. If you're unable to find that, try calling their general business line. They would be able to tell you if it's soy or not. I think most of them are now. Colored ink can be soy based also but from what I've read, it doesn't break down as rapidly.
We save seeds too and also dry them on paper towel. We also pack them into glass jars and place them in the lowest level of the refrigerator. We get, on average, a 90% germination rate - sometimes better. I like your idea of planting the paper strips of seeds. That would keep your spacing accurate. Thanks for the tip! Lori
You two shuld be visiting each other's farms! Alternatively, take some time in the spring and the summer to photograph the process and share the photos. My wife and I have a quarter Acre that is probably worth at least $40,000 as it is a buildable lot in a wonderfully convenient area of a pass-through town, but our enjoyment and results far exceed a dollar figure value. Our heritage is genetic, too, farmers and orchardists, even a king who was both, plus being a king! He gave his people fresh, high quality seeds for planting each year when they paid their taxes!
Thank you for stopping by Perspycacious! Yes, I agree. The enjoyment of the growing of plants from seed and the harvesting/canning of the fruits of the labor are a joy that is priceless. Your king predecessor sounds as if he was a generous soul. Good luck in your garden this year!!
cloverleaffarm Level 6 Commenter 3 months ago
This was great. Thanks for the info. Could you use newspaper as well?