Friday Follow: Making Newspaper Peat Pots

I'm always trying to find alternative ways to do things without spending money. In these rough times more and more people are growing more and more of their own food to save money.

There is no need to spend a bunch of money on trying to grow your own food to save money! Seeds can be started in a variety of containers. Instead of throwing away your newspapers, use them to make peat type pots to get them started.

Here's how I make mine.



Take a full sheet of black & white print, tear in half.



Fold sheet in half.



Then place your cylinder (empty veggie can, rolling pin with handles removed, paper towel/toilet paper rolls, piece of scrap pvc pipe, etc) on the folded edge of paper about 1 1/2" over the edge.




Roll the can (or whatever you choose to use) until paper is around your cylinder,



Then stuff the excess that is hanging off cylinder up inside



Then using a tamper (I use that wooden mallet shown in the last photo) tamp the ends down from inside the top of the can.



Check outside bottom to be sure there is no big holes and paper is laying good and flat.



Carefully slide pot off can!


I used the 15 ounce tomato sauce can this time because I don't like having to repot two or three times before they go outside into my garden. This way the newspaper pot can be planted with the seedling so you dont have to disturb the roots, you'll save time and money by not having to buy more potting mix.