10 DIY Seed Starter Pot Ideas – Repurpose, Reuse, and Recycle Household Items

Growing plants from seed is gratifying and financially efficient, but buying seed starter pots can take a penny from your purse. You can, though, repurpose, reuse, and otherwise recycle household odds and ends and turn them into DIY seed starter pots. Here are ten ways to get started on innovative ideas.

1. Egg Cartons

Seed starting in the spring is a traditional use for egg cartons, since the cups make their own divisions.

How to use:

  1. Fill each cup with seed starting mix
  2. Follow the directions on the seed packet
  3. Set the egg carton on a tray. Excess water will drain out the bottom.

When they’re ready to transplant, you can cut the cups apart and plant them directly in the soil. The cardboard will decompose naturally.

2. Toilet Paper Rolls

Cardboard toilet paper rolls are another great, biodegradable option for starting seeds.

How to Use:

  1. Cut each roll in half to create two smaller tubes.
  2. Stand the tubes upright in a shallow container.
  3. Fill each tube with seed starting mix and plant your seeds.

When it’s time to transplant, the whole tube can be planted directly into the ground because the cardboard will disintegrate in some time.

3. Newspaper Pots

Making pots using old newspapers is a good way to recycle paper and eliminate plastic usage.

How to Use:

  1. Simply roll a strip of newspaper with a small can or a glass to create a cylinder with some extra at the bottom.
  2. Fold the leftover paper at the bottom to make a base.
  3. It is easy to remove can or glass; you can fill the paper pot with seed starting mix.

Now plant your seeds in it and when it is transplants time you, can transplant the whole paper pot into the soil.

4. Eggshells

Eggshells are natural seedling containers and provide a rich medium for growth.

How to Use:

  1. Crack the eggs gently from the top and empty out the egg in it. Wash the shells.
  2. Poke a small drainage hole in the bottom of each shell.
  3. Fill the shells with seed starting mix and plant your seeds.

Once the seedlings are ready, you can plant the eggshells directly in the ground. The shells will decompose and provide calcium to the soil.

5. Plastic Bottles

This is another way to re-purpose plastic waste and get tough seed starter pots.

How to Use:

  1. Cut-off Bottles Cut bottles in half and use the bottom half as a pot. Poke drainage holes in the bottom.
  2. Fill with seed starting mix, plant your seeds and then use the top half as a mini greenhouse to cover the seedlings until they have sprouted.

6. Endless Yogurt Cups

Small yogurt cups can be used for starting seeds, many times over.

How to Use:

  1. Clean out cups and poke drainage holes in the bottom. Now wasn’t that easy?.
  2. Fill with seed starting mix, plant your seeds in it, and when the seedlings are ready, gently remove them from the cups and transplant into your garden.

7. Tin Cans

Tin cans are very solid and can be reused for many growing seasons.

How to Use:

  1. Clean the cans properly and ensure that they all do not have sharp edges.
  2. Poke drainage holes in the bottom of each can.
  3. Fill with seed starting mix; plant your seeds.

Once the seedlings are ready to be transplanted, just remove the cans and plant in your garden.

8. Citrus Peels

Citrus peels make seed starting fun and are also completely biodegradable.

How to Use:

  1. Cut ripe citrus fruit in half and remove the flesh, leaving the peel in two pieces.
  2. On the underside of each rind, poke a small hole for drainage.
  3. Fill the rinds with seed starting mix, and plant your seeds.

When seedlings are ready to plant, plant the whole peel into the ground. It will decompose and add nutrients into the earth.

9. Milk Cartons

Milk cartons are roomier and can hold more mature seedlings.

How to Use:

  1. Cut off top of the carton and clean it well.
  2. Poke holes in the bottom for drainage.
  3. Fill with seed starting mix and plant your seeds.

When it’s time to transplant, cut the carton away from the seedling and plant it in your garden.

10. Ice Cream Cones

Ice cream cones are an unusual but effective option for seed starting.

How to Use:

  1. Use plain, sugar-free cones for best results.
  2. Fill the cones with seed starting mix and plant your seeds.
  3. Place the cones in a tray to prevent them from tipping over.

When the seedlings are ready, plant the whole cone into the soil. The cone will decompose naturally.

Tips on Success

  1. Labeling: Always remember to include on your seed starter pots the kind of plant and also the date you planted to have your seedlings organized
  2. Watering: Use pots that have a good drainage system so as to avoid waterlogged conditions. Water your seedlings gently and be sure that it is always kept moist but not soggy.
  3. Light: Make sure the seed starter pots are put in a sunny place or under grow lamps to provide the required amount of light for their healthiness.
  4. Transplanting: Be gentle on seedlings when transplanting to prevent breakage in the roots.

Conclusion

Starting seeds in DIY containers made from reused household items is the economical way to grow your garden. It uses what you have so that the landfills don’t grow and the seeds will turn into healthy little seedlings. Try these ten ideas, and watch your garden grow from a seed to a full-grown plant.

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