Tired of spending money on plastic seed starters? This easy hack using old newspapers will save you money and the planet in no time.
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Cooking and gardening influencer TheGardeningChef (@ryanthejoseph) recently shared a clever trick for upcycling newspapers to create a DIY seed starter.
@ryanthejoseph This is what I do with my newspaper collecting… no, collection! #zone6b #gardeninghacks #gardening101 #gardening #gardentok #gardentiktok #GardenWars2024 #recycledpaper #recycling #gardenhumor #seedstarting #origami ♬ Spindlelegs – Cedric King Palmer
In this video, Ryan shows you how to origami newspaper into little pots that are perfect for starting seeds or potting seedlings.
“Now you have a little seed starter, or container to plant your seeds in, which you can then plant directly into the soil to help mitigate some of the transplant shock,” Ryan explains as he folds some newspaper into a little container.
When you're ready to move your seedlings outside, place the pots in the ground and the newspaper will decompose naturally.
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This hack is good for your wallet and the environment: instead of spending a lot of money on plastic containers and trays, you can reuse old newspapers that would otherwise go in the recycling bin.
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A pack of 50 plastic seed starting cells costs around $10. Starting a small vegetable or herb garden each spring can get expensive year after year, but this free, eco-friendly alternative can save you money on seeds and other garden essentials.
Plus, by choosing biodegradable paper over plastic, you keep non-recyclable waste out of landfills. Over 350 million tonnes of plastic is produced worldwide each year, much of which ends up in landfills. By choosing paper flower pots that can be used as flower pots, you avoid adding to a huge waste stream.
As the paper breaks down in the soil, it improves the soil by adding nutrients and organic matter, meaning not only are you avoiding plastic, you're also nourishing your garden and fighting carbon pollution in the atmosphere. Why not make a superhero starter pot?
What people are saying
Gardening enthusiasts on TikTok are loving this sustainable seed sowing tip, with comments flooding in praising the idea.
“This is amazing,” one user praised. “Thanks for the slow, step-by-step instructions.”
“What a great way to upcycle!” exclaimed another.
A third TikTok user shared their family's history of using newspaper starter pots, writing: “This is a great idea! Our parents and grandparents did this too. We're going back to doing it this way! Starter pots are so expensive now! Let's recycle!”
By simply folding a few sheets of newspaper, you can grow a garden while reducing your carbon footprint – it's a small change we can all make.
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