Starting seeds for flower and vegetable gardens is a fun activity.
It’s also a great way to pass the time during storm days, especially when the children are home from school.
But, before you take a drive to the store to purchase seeds and soil, get the family involved by teaching them how to make organic plant pots out of recycled newspapers.
Rolling your own
It is pretty simple to make your own starter pots and very inexpensive. You will need: - Newspapers. One full sheet folded will make two pots. - Scissors to cut the sheet in two. You can also just fold and rip, if you like. - An empty can or if you like to be fancy buy a pot maker from a mail order outlet. - Tape - Something to flatten the bottom of the pot, like a coaster.
It’s not only fun, it’s a great way to save money, says Tracey Allen, an avid P.E.I. gardener who created a video and an entry in her blog, Simplify and Save, about the subject.
“Money is getting tight. And food costs are one thing that people can cut by growing their own. So, more and more people are going to be using these,” says Allen, as she cuts strips of paper to fit the width of the tomato can she plans to use.
Step by step
- Take the one full folded sheet of newspaper and cut lengthwise into two pieces, set on aside. - Take your can and start rolling the one sheet of newspaper around the can. - Fold in the excess newspaper in towards the can centre. Using the coaster push to flatten it. - Put a small piece of tape to hold the bottom. - Put a small piece of tape to hold the side. Source: Tracey Allen in her blog, http://simplifyandsave.weebly.com.
Then, after they’re made, these starter pots can be placed in every gardening situation, from apartment balcony boxes to full-scale gardens.
Filled with the proper soil, they provide a wonderful environment for seeds to germinate.
“We just moved our tomatoes and our cucumbers (that had started in these pots). We also did broccoli and cauliflower this year for the first time. We also did celery and peppers.”
Once her vegetable seeds had taken root, she shifted her focus to flowers.
“Zinnia and Marigold were really great to plant. We’ve also started cucumbers, putting them in hanging baskets (in the greenhouse). And they’re awesome,” says Allen.
Besides saving money, firsttime growers will have the satisfaction of growing their own food.
“After all, there’s nothing like biting into a fresh tomato.”
Starting seeds for flower and vegetable gardens is a fun activity.
It’s also a great way to pass the time during storm days, especially when the children are home from school.
But, before you take a drive to the store to purchase seeds and soil, get the family involved by teaching them how to make organic plant pots out of recycled newspapers.
Rolling your own
It is pretty simple to make your own starter pots and very inexpensive. You will need: - Newspapers. One full sheet folded will make two pots. - Scissors to cut the sheet in two. You can also just fold and rip, if you like. - An empty can or if you like to be fancy buy a pot maker from a mail order outlet. - Tape - Something to flatten the bottom of the pot, like a coaster.
It’s not only fun, it’s a great way to save money, says Tracey Allen, an avid P.E.I. gardener who created a video and an entry in her blog, Simplify and Save, about the subject.
“Money is getting tight. And food costs are one thing that people can cut by growing their own. So, more and more people are going to be using these,” says Allen, as she cuts strips of paper to fit the width of the tomato can she plans to use.
Step by step
- Take the one full folded sheet of newspaper and cut lengthwise into two pieces, set on aside. - Take your can and start rolling the one sheet of newspaper around the can. - Fold in the excess newspaper in towards the can centre. Using the coaster push to flatten it. - Put a small piece of tape to hold the bottom. - Put a small piece of tape to hold the side. Source: Tracey Allen in her blog, http://simplifyandsave.weebly.com.
Then, after they’re made, these starter pots can be placed in every gardening situation, from apartment balcony boxes to full-scale gardens.
Filled with the proper soil, they provide a wonderful environment for seeds to germinate.
“We just moved our tomatoes and our cucumbers (that had started in these pots). We also did broccoli and cauliflower this year for the first time. We also did celery and peppers.”
Once her vegetable seeds had taken root, she shifted her focus to flowers.
“Zinnia and Marigold were really great to plant. We’ve also started cucumbers, putting them in hanging baskets (in the greenhouse). And they’re awesome,” says Allen.
Besides saving money, firsttime growers will have the satisfaction of growing their own food.
“After all, there’s nothing like biting into a fresh tomato.”
