How to Make Newspaper Pots for Garden Plants

Growing your own garden plants from seed is a satisfying and rewarding experience, and using newspaper pots is a great way to start your seedlings. Newspaper pots are eco-friendly, biodegradable, and can be planted directly into your garden or outdoor containers. Here’s how to make your own newspaper pots in a few simple steps:

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

You don’t need many supplies to make newspaper pots. All you need is:

Newspaper

Scissors

A cylindrical object such as a bottle or can

A potting soil and seed of your choice

Step 2: Cut and Fold the Newspaper

Start by cutting a rectangle of newspaper about 20cm x 30cm in size. Fold the paper in half horizontally with the printed side on the inside. Next, take your cylindrical object and place it halfway up the folded paper. Roll the paper around the object tightly, making sure there is enough paper left at the bottom to create the base of the pot.

Step 3: Tuck the Bottom

Once you’ve rolled the paper around the object, you should have a tube-like shape. Tuck the excess paper at the bottom of the tube into one end so that the base of the pot becomes closed. The end result should be an open cylinder with a closed bottom and an open top.

Step 4: Fill the Pot with Soil and Seeds

With your newspaper pot ready, fill it with potting soil and plant your seeds. Make sure to follow the instructions on the seed packet for planting depth and spacing. Once your seedlings are established, you can transplant them into your garden or outdoor containers.

Step 5: Place in a Tray

If you plan on transferring your seedlings outdoors, you might want to place your pots into a tray. This will help with watering and make transport easier. You can even reuse plastic or metal trays that are typically used for takeout.

Conclusion

Using newspaper pots for your garden plants is not only a sustainable option, but it’s also easy and cost-effective. With these simple steps, you can make your own newspaper pots and grow healthy and thriving plants from the comfort of your home.