Country Lore: Biodegradable Seed-starter Pots

Used toilet paper rolls make good seed starting pots.

February/March 2008
By Margaret Comstock 
seed starter pot 1
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Collect toilet paper rolls to make seed-starting pots for spring plantings. 
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I use toilet paper rolls to make biodegradable seed starter pots.

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  • Cut each roll in half and press it flat.
  • Make four, half-inch to three-quarter-inch slices on one end of the roll to create four equal-sized flaps.
  • Open up the roll and fold in the four little flaps like a box bottom. This is your seed pot.

Fill the “pot” with potting soil, plant your seeds and water gently. Put the seed pots under grow lights until they are ready to go outdoors. When you are ready to plant, you can either pull the cardboard away from the soil and put the plant in the ground, or simply unfold the bottom and plant the whole pot — the cardboard will slowly disintegrate.

Margaret Comstock
Apple Valley, California

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2 Comments

  • Amy 4/20/2009 6:18:10 AM

    Awesome! What a great way to apply the REUSE aspect of simplifying. I'll go "raid" my cardboard recycling bin!

  • Regi 1/2/2009 9:58:20 AM

    I was searching how to make seed starter pots from paper and feel very happy to find your articles.

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