Tutorial on Making Newspaper Pots

Good day all! Now that spring will soon be here, now is the time to start your seeds for the garden. I have already started mine and have some that are already up and growing. I am always looking for ways to improve my seeds into becoming seedlings that are healthy and strong. I have used plastic over the years and empty household containers but you always have to remove the plant from the container to put it in the ground. This often times damages the seedling roots. So I decided this year to make newspaper pots. They recyle back into the earth and become good rich soil. The plants do not suffer shock and damage and you end up with strong, healthy plants. Today I will be showing you how I make the pots.



First, you need newspaper! I gathered mine from my neighbor as I do not normally have them. Make sure they ARE NOT glossy!

Step #1 Fold the newspaper in half and cut it down the middle. This will give you 2 halves.

Step#2 Fold in half again. This will give you a quarter sheet. Sorry this pic is blurry!

Step#3 Depending on the size of your pot, use something round. I used an empty spice bottle with the top removed.

Step #4 Take the quarter sheet of newspaper and lay it flat. Begin to roll it up around the bottle like this. DO not roll tight or you can not remove the bottle!

Step #5 Once it's rolled and before removing the bottle it should look like this

Step #6 With the bottle still inside begin to fold the paper inwards on the bottom of the bottle like the next pictures. Then using MASKING tape, tape the bottom closed.

Step #7 Remove the bottle and turn right side up. You will have an open tube with closed bottom like this

Step #8 Now you fold inward all around to make a lip. This makes it stronger.

Step #9 Here is the finished pot!

I have done so many of these in the past 2 weeks. Here is what they look like once planted and when your seedlings sprout. Good luck and have fun with this. I would suggest you wear disposable gloves because of the ink on the paper if you do not want BLACK hands :)