Top 10 Biodegradable Seed Starter Pots: How to Make Your Own (DYI)

Most gardeners start their plants from seed. It’s cheaper than buying plants, and you have a much wider selection of varieties. Starting seeds indoors gives them a head start on the growing season. Once they’ve outgrown their seedlings pots, they can be planted directly in the ground or larger containers. One of the challenges of starting seeds indoors is finding affordable and biodegradable containers.

Commercial seed-starting pots are typically made from plastic, which can be expensive and difficult to recycle. And once you’re done with them, they’ll end up in a landfill where they’ll take hundreds of years to decompose. If you want an eco-friendly way to start your seeds, biodegradable seed starter pots are a great option. You can purchase these pots or make your own from materials like toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, or even newspapers.

Plastic or non-biodegradable containers can damage the environment, creating your seed starter pots from biodegradable materials. They are eco-friendly and provide a healthy start for your plants without disturbing their delicate roots when it’s time to transplant them into the garden. Let’s check out the top 10 biodegradable seed starter pots below.

The Benefits of Using Biodegradable Seed Starter Pots

When you start your seeds in a biodegradable pot, you can plant the entire pot in your garden when it’s time to transplant. Removing the plant from its container is unnecessary, which can damage delicate roots. Biodegradable pots also help reduce waste in landfills and are better for the environment than traditional plastic pots. Not only are biodegradable seed starter pots better for the environment, but they’re also much easier on your wallet. And once your plants have outgrown their pots, you can plant them directly into the ground without worrying about removing the pot first.

Seed starter pots offer a great way to start your garden without harming the environment. Biodegradable seed starter pots are an even better option, as they can be broken down and used as fertilizer for your plants once you have transplanted them into the ground. Making your biodegradable seed starter pots is easy and fun; you only need newspaper, water, and seeds. You can quickly create eco-friendly seed starters with a few supplies and basic instructions.

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Tips for Planting Your Seeds in A Biodegradable Seed Starter Pot

Starting your seeds in a biodegradable seed starter pot is a great way to jump on the gardening season and have healthy plants ready to transplant. Biodegradable pots are made from materials like peat, paper, or even recycled materials, and will break down over time, so there is no need to remove them before planting. Fill your pot with a quality seed starting mix. This mix should be light, fluffy, and free of large clumps.

Wet the mix thoroughly before planting your seeds. You can do this by watering the mix from the bottom up or misting it with a spray bottle. Plant your seeds according to the package directions. Be sure to plant them at the correct depth; too shallow, and they will dry out; too deep, and they may not be able to emerge from the soil.

Water your newly planted seeds gently, careful not to wash them out of the pot. Again, you can water from the bottom up or use a fine mist from a spray bottle. Place your pots in a warm, sunny location and keep them moist until the seeds germinate and begin to grow. Once they have sprouted, you can cut back on watering slightly, but don’t let them dry out completely.

Top 10 Biodegradable Seed Starter Pots

Use Toilet Paper Rolls

If you’re looking for a way to start your seedlings that is both eco-friendly and economical, then consider using toilet paper rolls for homemade seed starter pots. Toilet paper rolls are made from recycled paper, making them an environmentally friendly option. Cut the toilet paper roll in half crosswise. Fold each half lengthwise into thirds. Place the folded halves into a small pot or tray. Fill each pot with soil and plant your seeds according to the package directions. Water the soil and place the pot in a warm, sunny location.

Cereal Box Paper Mache

First, cut the cereal box in half lengthwise. Then, cut one of the halves into thirds. You should now have two long rectangles and one shorter rectangle. These will be your three seed starter pots. Next, take your sheet of newspaper and cut it into strips that are about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long. You will need 12 strips total, 4 for each pot. To assemble the pots, tap two of the longer strips together at one end to form a loop. Then, tape the loop to one side of one of the rectangular pieces from the cereal box, ensuring that the open end of the loop faces up.

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Repeat this step with the other three sides of the rectangle until you have a pot with an open top and four newspaper loops around the sides. Tape any loose ends down securely. Repeat this process with the remaining two rectangles to make two more pots. You can now decorate your pots with paint or glue before planting your seeds in them. Once your plants have outgrown their homes, tear off the newspaper strips and compost them.

Pulp Paper Pots

Pulp paper pots are a great way to start your seeds indoors. You can make your pulp paper pots home with just a few supplies. All you need is some recycled paper, water, and a mold. To make pulp paper pots, start by tearing the paper into small pieces. Then, soften the paper in water for a few minutes.

Once the paper is soaked, squeeze the excess water into a blender or food processor. Blend the paper until it forms a pulp. Next, add the pulp to a mold of your choice. Make sure the mold is slightly larger than the pot you want to make so that the pot will be sturdy. Press the pulp firmly into the mold and let it dry for 24 hours. Once it’s dry, carefully remove it from the mold once it’s dry, and voila, you have your biodegradable seed starter pot.

Egg Cartons

There are many reasons to start your plants from seed. It is cheaper than buying plants, and you have a much wider variety. Starting your plants also allows you to control the growing conditions, so you can be sure they are getting what they need to grow strong and healthy. One way to start your seeds is in biodegradable pots made of egg cartons. Egg cartons are excellent for seed-starting pots because they break down quickly in the soil, providing nutrients for the young plant as it grows.

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To make your egg carton seed pots, cut the top off an egg carton, then cut or tear the individual cups away from the rest. Next, poke a few drainage holes in the bottom of each cup. Fill each cup with potting mix, and then sow your seeds according to package directions. Water your seedlings well and place them in a sunny spot. When they outgrow their egg carton pots, plant them directly into the ground or in larger pots. The egg cartons will decompose quickly, leaving behind healthy plants.

Paper Cups

Paper cups are a great way to start your seeds, and they’re biodegradable too. Cut the bottom off of a paper cup. This will be the base of your pot. Make sure the cut is clean and even. Fold the sides of the cup down about an inch or so, creasing well. Tape the sides of the cup with biodegradable tape (or regular tape if you don’t have any). Trim off any excess tape. Your pot is now ready to be filled with soil and seedlings.

Citrus Peel

Citrus peel is an excellent biodegradable material used to make seed starter pots. You only need a sharp knife and a lemon, lime, or orange peel. Cut the peel into strips and then use a small knife to cut slits along the length of the strip. Next, roll the strip into a cone shape and secure it with a toothpick or string. Fill the cone with potting soil, and then plant your seeds. When the seedlings are transplanting, snip off the toothpick or string and plant the entire pot in your garden. The citrus peel will decompose over time, providing nutrients to your plants.

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Empty Carton Boxes

Consider using empty carton boxes if you want a more sustainable option for your seed starter pots. Carton boxes are made from paperboard, a recyclable and biodegradable material. You can easily find empty carton boxes at your local grocery store. Cut the top off the box to make your seed starter pots from carton boxes. Then, cut the box into equal-sized squares or rectangles. Next, fold each square or rectangle in half so that the bottom of the box is now on the inside. Finally, use a stapler or tape to secure the bottom of the pot closed.

Peat Pots

Peat pots are one of the most commonly used biodegradable seed starter pots. Peat is a type of organic matter made up of decomposed plant material, often used as a soil amendment or as potting soil. Peat pots are typically made from expanded peat moss and can be in many sizes. Peat pots are easy to use and offer many benefits for starting seeds.

One benefit of peat pots is that they can be easily moved and transplanted. Peat pots can also help reduce transplant shock and allow for better drainage than other containers. Peat pots are biodegradable and won’t add to your landfill waste.

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Coconut Coir

Coconut coir is an excellent material for biodegradable seed starter pots. It is made from the fiber of coconut husks and is 100% natural and biodegradable. Coconut coir pots are also very lightweight and easy to handle. To start, soak the block of coconut coir in the water for 15 minutes. This will make it easier to cut. Next, use the knife to cut the block into 3-inch pieces.

Once all the pieces are cut, shape them into small pots. Ensure that the bottom of each pot is slightly wider than the top so that water can drain out easily. Now your coconut coir seed starter pots are ready to use. Just fill them with potting mix and plant your seeds. When it’s time to transplant your seedlings, tear off the sides of the pot and plant them directly in the ground; no need to remove the bottom of the pot first.

Feather Pots

If you’re starting your plants from seed, you’ll need some pots to put them in. One option for biodegradable pots is to make your own out of feathers. All you need is a potting mix, feathers, and water. Just wet the feathers and mix them with the potting mix until they’re well combined. Then shape the mixture into small pots and let them dry. The great thing about feather pots is that they’ll break down over time, so you don’t have to worry about removing them before planting your seedlings. Plus, they’re a great way to recycle those old chicken feathers.

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Conclusion

Seed starter pots are an important part of gardening, as they provide a way to start seeds without using soil. There are many different ways to make seed starter pots, but the most important thing is to ensure that they are biodegradable and won’t harm the environment. There are a few different materials that you can use to make biodegradable seed starter pots, but the most important thing is to make sure that you choose a material that will decompose quickly.