Making your own seedling pots is an easy and inexpensive way to get your garden started for spring. This weekend I’m making pots out of newspaper to start my basil plants. I’ll show you how to make your own pots below.

Materials

Water
Flour
Newspaper
Scissors
1¼ inch-diameter can

Directions

To make the flour and water paste, simply mix together 1 part flour to 2 parts water. You want the consistency of glue so make sure to mix well to remove lumps. Add more water or flour to get the right texture. Don’t use any other kind of glue on your pots. This is the best paste because it’s non-toxic.

To make the pots, spread open a sheet of newspaper on a flat surface. Then place the can (or whatever other cylinder you have handy) along one edge of the paper. Roll the can and bottle one turn, then smear a small amount of the flour-and-water paste on the rolled portion of the paper. Continue to roll the bottle and leave about 3 inches at the end of the paper to add more paste. Press firmly to secure the paper and then remove the can. Allow the paper to dry completely.

When the paper is dry, cut the tube into 3-inch lengths. Voila! You’ve got yourself biodegradable pots. When you’re ready to start sowing, stand the open-ended cylinders inside a planting tray. If you don’t have one, a cardboard lid works well. Fill your pots with soil and then plant your seeds.

When you transplant your seedlings, dig a hole deep enough to fit the entire newspaper pot and cover it completely with soil. If you don’t, the paper will take away moisture from the seedlings.

Make sure to feed your plants with compost so they grow big and healthy. Need a composter? Don’t buy it! Bargain Babe shows you how to make your own composter for cheap. Let us know what you’re planting in your garden this spring.