Maximize Your Indoor Gardening Success: How to Start Seeds with Small Food Containers and Newspaper

ASSOCIATED PRESS. This photo shows steps to make DIY seed pots using newspaper.

Ready to start your seeds indoors? You probably have a plan in place for everything you need, like a seed-starting mix and a sunny spot or grow lights. But what about the containers? While you might think of buying trays or pots, there are plenty of creative ways to reuse what you already have.

Let’s explore some easy ideas for DIY seed pots that save money and reduce waste.

Common Food Containers

If you’ve used K-Cup coffee pods, consider saving them. After brewing, just peel off the covers, discard the coffee grounds, and clean them out. These pods can be great for seedlings because they’ve already got drainage holes from the factory. Just wash them and they’re good to go!

Other small food containers work too. For instance, yogurt cups, clamshell salad boxes, and even egg cartons can all become seed pots. Just remember to poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage.

Newspaper or Cardboard Pots

Making seed pots from newspaper is another simple option. Most newspapers today use non-toxic, soy-based ink, which is safe for plants. Here’s how:

1. Take a sheet of newspaper and fold it in half lengthwise.
2. Fold it again to get a long strip.
3. Place a small can (like a tomato paste can) at one edge of the strip, leaving a couple of inches from the bottom.
4. Roll the newspaper tightly around the can to form a cylinder.
5. Fold in the excess newspaper at the bottom, press it down, and secure with tape if needed.

Now you have a free and biodegradable pot for your seedlings! Instead of pouring water directly, you can mist the soil surface to keep it wet without soaking it.

You can also use an empty toilet paper roll. Cut four small slits at one end, fold in the tabs to create a base, and tape them down. This makes a perfect little pot as well.

Why Smaller Pots?

Seed-starting containers are made for young seedlings, which will eventually need larger pots as they grow. Trying to plant seeds in bigger containers right away isn’t a good idea. Large containers hold more water than tiny roots can absorb, leading to root rot—a common issue for young plants.

Plus, smaller pots are more cost-effective! Seed-starting mix is pricier, and you’ll use less of it in a small pot compared to a big one. When it’s time to repot your seedlings into larger containers, feel free to use regular potting soil. Just avoid using garden soil, as it can be too dense and may contain pests.

Using these ideas, you can start your seeds indoors without spending much and while helping the environment. Happy planting!

Written by Jessica Damiano, a gardening column author for the AP.