Finding Biodegradable pots for seed starter - Check the bathroom

Photo by by girlingearstudio/ Flickr

Every year when it comes time to  begin starting seeds I find myself scurrying through the house in search of containers to start my seeds in. It's not like I can't afford to buy peat pots or peat pellets for seed starting - it's just that when you live in rural Maine, sometimes you make due with what you have instead of trucking 20 miles to the nearest store.

Seed starting is one of those times for me. This winter I ran across these delightful little pots made from - you guessed it - toilet paper rolls. By cutting a toilet paper roll in half and clipping 4 slits on the bottom, you can fold them into a seed starting pot. You will need a piece of tape to hold the bottom flaps closed.

Not only are they absolutely free, they are biodegradable too, which means you can plant your seedlings 'pot and all' when the weather warms and it's time to put them in the ground.

Paper towel rolls or those leftover rolls from wrapping paper work great too. Just cut them down to size before you begin snipping and folding your seed starting pots. 

• Place the pots in a shallow container - I use the bottom tray on an old planter for mine, but you can use a baking old baking sheet or plastic container.  
• Fill them with seed starter. 
• Plant your seeds to the recommended depth.
• Water to moisten the soil. 
• Keep the soil moist until your seedlings emerge.

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