How to make your own seed trays from folded newspaper and reduce plastic at sowing time
Eleanor Ashford
As I sit here in my garden shed, with the comforting smell of freshly turned earth and the gentle whisper of a spring breeze just beyond the window, I find myself reflecting on the beauty of the growing season that lies ahead. There’s a whiff of excitement in the air, as the time has come once again to tuck those tiny seeds into the soil, watch over them with tender care, and witness the miracle that is life unfurling in green tendrils and vibrant blooms.
But, dear friends, as many of you know, this time of hopeful beginnings often brings with it a troubling quandary: the abundance of plastic seed trays that seem to multiply like bunnies each year. While practical, these trays contribute to the growing tide of plastic waste. It’s in moments like these that I lean on the blend of old-world wisdom and contemporary eco-consciousness that I cherish so dearly. So today, let’s talk about a charming and sustainable alternative: homemade seed trays crafted from folded newspaper.
The Humble Newspaper: An Old Friend
Having grown up leafing through the broadsheets with my father, who always had a newsprint-scented finger in the gardening pages, I hold a particular fondness for newspapers. But beyond their role in providing us with the world’s happenings, their simple, unassuming nature makes them wonderfully adaptable for the garden. They break down beautifully into the soil, providing a most eco-friendly solution to the plastic dilemma, and with a little artistic flair, can be transformed into perfect vessels for nurturing our new seedlings.
Why Create Your Own Seed Trays?
Before we dive into the delightful process, let’s briefly ponder the 'why'. In choosing to make your own seed trays, you not only cut back on plastic consumption, but you also embrace a practice in harmony with the Earth’s rhythms. The newspaper trays decompose into the soil, enriching it and sparing the landfill another synthetic item. Additionally, they allow your seedlings to be transferred with minimal root disturbance—an essential factor in robust plant growth. There’s a gentle mindfulness in fashioning these trays, a peaceful pause that allows us to connect with our gardens even before the planting begins.
What You Will Need
To embark on this creative endeavour, you’ll require very little—just a few items already scattered around your home. Gather up some old newspapers, a pair of scissors, a small glass or jar to use as a mould, and a trowel at the ready for when it’s time to fill your finished trays with soil. It's quite comforting to know that the steps toward a greener practice don’t demand grand gestures, but rather small shifts in how we use what we already have.
Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Newspaper Seed Trays
1. Begin with the Newspapers
Lay out a few sheets of newspaper. If your papers are thin or prone to disintegration, consider using two sheets together to provide a bit of extra sturdiness for your little pots. You’ll want to cut these sheets into rectangular strips about 7.5cm wide.
2. Shape Around a Mould
Select a mould slightly smaller than the size of the pot you’d like to create. Place your mould at one end of the newspaper strip, leaving a small margin at the bottom to fold over. There’s no need to fret over perfection; the seedlings certainly won’t mind a bit of rustic charm!
3. Roll and Fold
Gently and evenly roll the strip of newspaper around the mould. When you reach the end, simply tuck and fold the remaining newspaper to create the base of your pot. A gentle press should suffice to hold it in place.
4. Firming Up the Structure
While some guides use tape or a dab of glue to hold the newspaper secure, I find that mindful handling and a firm fold tends to do the trick. For added structure, consider folding a small flap along the top edge of your pot.
5. Repeat and Arrange
Continue fashioning your pots until you’ve met your planting needs. Group them together in a seed tray or shallow box, ensuring they’re snugly arranged so as to support one another, much like a good gardening community.
Sowing the Seeds and Beyond
With your seed trays adorning your planting station, it’s time to get your hands a little soily. Fill each newspaper pot with seed compost to around three-quarters full, sow your seeds according to their individual needs, and top each one with a gentle sprinkle of compost. A light misting with water should provide them with a welcoming environment.
Position your budding seedlings in a sunlit spot, perhaps on a windowsill that catches the morning light. Keep an affectionate eye on them, watering when needed, as you watch your little green companions grow.
As they mature, these newspaper pots will allow for stress-free planting directly into the garden or larger container. The paper will break down, making way for roots to expand and thrive in their new home, enhancing the soil with organic matter.
Value in Tradition with a Nod to the Future
My dear fellow gardeners, the creation of newspaper seed trays not only harkens to a practical tradition but also celebrates a vision for a gentler, more sustainable future. This small act folds together all the simplicity and resourcefulness of days gone by, with the caring mindfulness of today’s eco-aware consciousness.
Let us relish in the art of nurturing—to hold in our palms the rich soil of yesterday, as we sow the roots of tomorrow. By choosing pathways that respect the earth as much as we revere the plants we grow, we embody the spirit of generations of gardeners who have tilled the soil before us.
So, with inky fingers and spirits soaring in sync with the season’s renewal, I invite you all to embrace these little acts of tenderness and tradition in your endeavours. Together, let us herald a garden that thrives in sustainability, crafting a vibrant future from materials well worn but never wasted. In doing so, we create something truly beautiful—for our plants, for ourselves, and for the world at large.
Happy gardening, my dear friends. May your seedlings be robust and your hearts light as you fold, plant, and grow.
But, dear friends, as many of you know, this time of hopeful beginnings often brings with it a troubling quandary: the abundance of plastic seed trays that seem to multiply like bunnies each year. While practical, these trays contribute to the growing tide of plastic waste. It’s in moments like these that I lean on the blend of old-world wisdom and contemporary eco-consciousness that I cherish so dearly. So today, let’s talk about a charming and sustainable alternative: homemade seed trays crafted from folded newspaper.
The Humble Newspaper: An Old Friend
Having grown up leafing through the broadsheets with my father, who always had a newsprint-scented finger in the gardening pages, I hold a particular fondness for newspapers. But beyond their role in providing us with the world’s happenings, their simple, unassuming nature makes them wonderfully adaptable for the garden. They break down beautifully into the soil, providing a most eco-friendly solution to the plastic dilemma, and with a little artistic flair, can be transformed into perfect vessels for nurturing our new seedlings.
Why Create Your Own Seed Trays?
Before we dive into the delightful process, let’s briefly ponder the 'why'. In choosing to make your own seed trays, you not only cut back on plastic consumption, but you also embrace a practice in harmony with the Earth’s rhythms. The newspaper trays decompose into the soil, enriching it and sparing the landfill another synthetic item. Additionally, they allow your seedlings to be transferred with minimal root disturbance—an essential factor in robust plant growth. There’s a gentle mindfulness in fashioning these trays, a peaceful pause that allows us to connect with our gardens even before the planting begins.
What You Will Need
To embark on this creative endeavour, you’ll require very little—just a few items already scattered around your home. Gather up some old newspapers, a pair of scissors, a small glass or jar to use as a mould, and a trowel at the ready for when it’s time to fill your finished trays with soil. It's quite comforting to know that the steps toward a greener practice don’t demand grand gestures, but rather small shifts in how we use what we already have.
Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Newspaper Seed Trays
1. Begin with the Newspapers
Lay out a few sheets of newspaper. If your papers are thin or prone to disintegration, consider using two sheets together to provide a bit of extra sturdiness for your little pots. You’ll want to cut these sheets into rectangular strips about 7.5cm wide.
2. Shape Around a Mould
Select a mould slightly smaller than the size of the pot you’d like to create. Place your mould at one end of the newspaper strip, leaving a small margin at the bottom to fold over. There’s no need to fret over perfection; the seedlings certainly won’t mind a bit of rustic charm!
3. Roll and Fold
Gently and evenly roll the strip of newspaper around the mould. When you reach the end, simply tuck and fold the remaining newspaper to create the base of your pot. A gentle press should suffice to hold it in place.
4. Firming Up the Structure
While some guides use tape or a dab of glue to hold the newspaper secure, I find that mindful handling and a firm fold tends to do the trick. For added structure, consider folding a small flap along the top edge of your pot.
5. Repeat and Arrange
Continue fashioning your pots until you’ve met your planting needs. Group them together in a seed tray or shallow box, ensuring they’re snugly arranged so as to support one another, much like a good gardening community.
Sowing the Seeds and Beyond
With your seed trays adorning your planting station, it’s time to get your hands a little soily. Fill each newspaper pot with seed compost to around three-quarters full, sow your seeds according to their individual needs, and top each one with a gentle sprinkle of compost. A light misting with water should provide them with a welcoming environment.
Position your budding seedlings in a sunlit spot, perhaps on a windowsill that catches the morning light. Keep an affectionate eye on them, watering when needed, as you watch your little green companions grow.
As they mature, these newspaper pots will allow for stress-free planting directly into the garden or larger container. The paper will break down, making way for roots to expand and thrive in their new home, enhancing the soil with organic matter.
Value in Tradition with a Nod to the Future
My dear fellow gardeners, the creation of newspaper seed trays not only harkens to a practical tradition but also celebrates a vision for a gentler, more sustainable future. This small act folds together all the simplicity and resourcefulness of days gone by, with the caring mindfulness of today’s eco-aware consciousness.
Let us relish in the art of nurturing—to hold in our palms the rich soil of yesterday, as we sow the roots of tomorrow. By choosing pathways that respect the earth as much as we revere the plants we grow, we embody the spirit of generations of gardeners who have tilled the soil before us.
So, with inky fingers and spirits soaring in sync with the season’s renewal, I invite you all to embrace these little acts of tenderness and tradition in your endeavours. Together, let us herald a garden that thrives in sustainability, crafting a vibrant future from materials well worn but never wasted. In doing so, we create something truly beautiful—for our plants, for ourselves, and for the world at large.
Happy gardening, my dear friends. May your seedlings be robust and your hearts light as you fold, plant, and grow.