How to Make a Biodegradable Seedling Pot 

Reduce, reuse, recycle AND compost by eliminating costly, unsustainable peat pots to start your garden seedlings. Newspaper is one of the gardener's best friends and this method has been used for years, dating back to before peat pots were commercially available. It is fun and easy. It is also a great project to do in the early spring with your children.

This project provides a learning experience for the benefits of recycling old newspapers, how soils compost biodegradable material and the fun in growing plants.

Supplies needed:

            Old newspapers, not glossy magazine or sale papers

            Unopened can the size of 6 oz tomato paste

            NoDampOff Seed Starting Medium 

Follow these easy directions:

1. Tear wide strips of newspaper: Width: the height of the can plus the width of the bottom of the can to fold under (we used 5" for this can); Length: at least 22 inches

2. Position the newspaper at the lip of the can and roll it up, leaving excess newpaper at just one end of the can.

3. Fold over the excess newspaper to create the bottom of the pot. Make sure to crease the edges so that the bottom stays firm. Scrunch the can onto your table or counter to crease the edges further. Do not use tape to hold the bottom together because the tape is not biodegradable. When you fill the can with NoDampOff, it will hold its shape.

4. Remove the can. (Since we have the tomato paste can out, we like to make one of our favorite tomato-base recipes, especially after hard day of gardening!)

5. Place your new pots in a pan or tray and fill with wet Mosser Lee’s NoDampOff, the Ultimate in Seed Starting medium. Your seeds have the best chance for success with NoDampOff and, unlike soil, it maintains the integrity of the biodegradable pot until planting in your garden. Make sure to wear gloves when using all types of planting soils.

6. Your pots are now ready for seed planting. Follow the planting directions on the NoDampOff bag or your seed packet.

7. When the plants have grown to the appropriate height for planting in your garden, plant the seedlings, pots and all. Remember to sink and cover the entire pot when planting as any part of the pot that is exposed may wick moisture out of the soil. The pots will decompose, adding nutrients to the soil, as your plants grow. Over time, NoDampOff will also decompose, furthering enriching your soil with moisture-hugging micro-pockets.