Starting Seeds Recycling Project
Living in the southeastern US, we have a long growing season, and I’ve learned over the years that when starting seeds indoors, you don’t need fancy seed starting containers. In fact, starting seeds is a recycling project.
Starting Seeds Using Recycled Materials
Below we are sharing one of our starting seeds recycling projects. There are a number of ways of starting seeds indoors (that is another detailed post on starting seeds) is not complicated and it doesn’t require any high-tech or specialized equipment. In fact, you probably have the main supplies you need at home right now. When I plant, I only want to spend money on seeds and maybe good potting soil if it’s too cold to dig topsoil.
Related post: Observing Seeds
- Toilet paper rolls – Toilet paper rolls are biodegradable, so there is no leftover pot once the seed grows and is ready to be planted in the ground!
- Egg cartons – We have used the 12 and 18 egg paper cartons and the 36 egg plastic cartons. You can see those here.
- Plastic water bottles – These can be used to not only start the seeds but water them too. We share this below.
- Plastic berry containers – What I love about these are the drain holes and lids that help create a little greenhouse or sorts. Be sure to use the deeper ones so the roots have more room.
- Newspaper – We don’t use this anymore because, honestly, we read our news online. But here is an idea for these.
- Plastic pots from last year – I do buy some of my flowers, and especially new herbs I want to grow, so we save their containers and reuse for starting seeds.
- Paper towel tubes – This is the same concept as using the toilet paper rolls, but I cut them in half.
- Spinach or lettuce containers – These are the big plastic box containers with the lid. I typically do not like purchasing produce in these big plastic containers, as they are so much plastic! So, when we do have to purchase these, I save them and use for seed starting recycling projects.
- Paper and plastic cups
- Egg shells – Eggshells are primarily composed of calcium carbonate, which slowly breaks down in the soil and provides a steady source of calcium to seedlings. Calcium is essential for strong cell walls and helps prevent disorders like blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers.
- Orange and/or lemon halves – Citrus rinds are biodegradable, so you can plant them directly into the soil along with the seedlings. As they decompose, they enrich the soil with organic matter.
- Apple or pear containers from Costco – We used these in this activity.
- Take out containers or fast food plastic containers
- Other recycling containers like yogurt or sour cream containers
Starting Seeds with a Recycling Project for Kids
We made two different types of planters. The first was made using a toilet
paper roll. Toilet paper rolls really seem to be piling up around here, with
everyone home. I decided it would be a good idea to reuse them as seed
starters, instead of throwing them away. Plus, toilet paper rolls are
biodegradable, so there is no leftover pot once the seed grows and is ready to
be planted in the ground!
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Recycled Toilet Paper Roll Seed Pot
Supplies needed:
-
- empty toilet paper rolls
- empty water bottle
- tape (I used masking tape)
- dirt
- seeds
Cut a toilet paper roll in half.
On one end of a toilet paper roll half, fold two edges towards each other.
On one end of a toilet paper roll half, fold two edges towards each other.
Tape the two edges from step 3 together.
Fill your little seed pot with dirt, add the seed, then cover it with just a little dirt. Water, and set aside in a sunny spot!
Recycled Water Bottle Planter
The second planter we made was out of water bottles. We have a lot of these right now, with all of us home. While we do recycle them through the city, I thought repurposing them would be great too!
Cut the water bottle in half.
Trim the top of the bottom half of the water bottle, about a half inch past the point where the water bottle starts opening back up after necking down.
Place the top of the water bottom upside down, into the bottom part of the water bottle, as shown below.
Place a few small stones in the bottom of the water bottle planter.
Fill the top half of the water with dirt, then place seeds on top of the dirt.
Cover the seeds with dirt. Place the top half of the water bottle into the bottom half, with the opening pointing down. Fill the bottom half with water. Now the you have a self watering planter. All you need is to keep the bottom part full of water!
We set all our planters in a nice sunny spot, and keep them moist to make sure the seeds can germinate.