Can You Plant Newspaper Pots?

Planting in newspaper pots is an innovative technique that is gaining popularity among gardeners. Rather than purchasing plastic or clay pots, gardeners are opting for newspaper pots as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative. But can you actually plant newspaper pots? Let's explore this topic further.

How to Make Newspaper Pots

Newspaper pots are incredibly easy to make. To create a newspaper pot, you will need some old newspapers, a pair of scissors, a ruler, and a cylindrical object such as a glass or can. Here's how to make one:

Cut the newspaper into strips that measure around 6 inches in width and 12 inches in length.

Fold the strip in half, so that it is now 3 inches wide.

Take your cylindrical object and wrap the newspaper strip around it, leaving about 1.5 inches of newspaper hanging over the edge of the object.

Tuck the excess newspaper over the bottom of the cylindrical object to create the bottom of the pot.

Carefully slide the pot off the cylindrical object and you are done.

Planting in Newspaper Pots

So, can you plant newspaper pots directly in the soil? The short answer is yes, you can. In fact, newspaper pots are biodegradable and will decompose over time. This means that you can plant the entire pot into the soil, eliminating the need for transplanting and disrupting the roots.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when planting in newspaper pots. Firstly, make sure that the newspaper pots are moist before planting. This will help the newspaper to break down more quickly in the soil. Secondly, plant your seedlings while they are still small, as newspaper pots may dry out more quickly than other types of pots. Lastly, if you are planting in a particularly windy area, you may want to take extra precautions to keep the newspaper pots in place.

The Benefits of Using Newspaper Pots

Using newspaper pots for your seedlings has numerous benefits. Firstly, it is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic pots, which often end up in landfills. Secondly, as mentioned earlier, newspaper pots can be planted directly into the soil, eliminating the need for transplanting and reducing the risk of damaging roots. Thirdly, newspaper pots are cost-effective, as they can be made from materials that you likely already have at home.

Moreover, newspaper pots are great for seed germination. The newspaper acts like a wick, drawing moisture away from the soil and towards the seeds, which helps with germination. The newspaper also allows air to flow through, preventing root rot and other diseases from developing.

In Conclusion

Planting in newspaper pots is not only possible, but it is also a great eco-friendly alternative to plastic or clay pots. With a few simple steps, you can make your own newspaper pots and have them ready for planting. Remember to keep the pots moist before planting and start with small seedlings. By using newspaper pots, you are not only helping the environment but also your garden. Happy planting!