9 Items You Can Upcycle Into Seed Starters

MATERIALS

1 empty fruit/produce container with lid, cleaned thoroughly

Plate/Tray to catch water drainage (optional, if keeping indoors)

Potting mix

Seeds of choice

Water

INSTRUCTIONS

1.Place clean produce container on a plate or tray to catch water drainage and/or soil spill.

2.Add potting mix to container and plant seeds according to packet instructions.

3.Close the lid between watering to help keep soil moist.

4.Transfer to a larger pot one seeds start sprouting.

5.Care for your plant based on seed packet instructions and watch it grow!

MATERIALS

Leftover citrus rind(s)

Knife

Spoon

Potting mix

Seeds of choice

Water

INSTRUCTIONS

1.Using a knife, cut off a small section of the outer edge of citrus rind to create a flat surface for it to stand up.

2.Use a spoon to carve out the inside of the citrus fruit until you reach the rind.

3.Fill with potting mix and plant seeds according to instructions on seed packet.

4.Allow seedlings to grow by caring for it according to seed packet instructions.

5.Once seedlings have sprouted, plant them in a large pot or into the soil, lemon rind, and all. It will biodegrade.

6.Care for your plant based on seed packet instructions and watch it grow!

MATERIALS

Old glass jars/containers or wide-mouth mason jars, cleaned thoroughly

Rocks, gravel, pebbles, or marbles

Potting mix, preferably moisture control

Seeds of choice

Water

INSTRUCTIONS

1.Add about 1-2 inches of rocks, gravel, pebbles, or marbles into your clean glass jar.

2.Fill the jar with potting mix and plant seeds according to packet instructions.

3.Care for your plant according to seed packet instructions.

4.Watch your plants grow!

5.Transfer to larger pot if necessary.*


NOTE: You may need to transfer your plants to a larger pot once they start sprouting. Some plants, particularly certain herbs, can remain in a jar if cared for properly. Refer to seed packet instructions.

MATERIALS

1 egg carton

Scissors, or box cutter

Potting mix

Seeds of choice

Water

INSTRUCTIONS

1.Cut empty egg carton in half (you can use both halves to fill with seeds.)

2.Add potting mix to each compartment and plant seeds according to packet instructions.

3.Allow seedlings to grow by caring for it according to packet instructions.

4.Once seedlings have sprouted, wet the egg carton and carefully tear or cut off each individual cup. Plant seedling in a large pot or into the soil, cardboard and all. It will biodegrade.

5.Care for your plant based on seed packet instructions and watch it grow!

MATERIALS

1 empty yogurt cup, cleaned thoroughly

Thumb tack

Potting mix

Seeds of choice

Water

INSTRUCTIONS

1.Using a thumb tack, poke 7-10 drainage holes at the bottom of the empty yogurt cup.

2.Add potting mix and plant seeds according to packet instructions.

3.Allow seedlings to grow by caring for it according to seed packet instructions.

4.Transfer to larger pot once seeds start sprouting.

5.Care for your plant based on seed packet instructions and watch it grow!

MATERIALS

1 toilet paper roll (or 1 paper towel roll)*

Scissors

Potting Mix

Seeds of choice

Water

*Note: 1 toilet paper makes 2; 1 paper towel roll makes 4

INSTRUCTIONS

1.Cut toilet paper roll in half (or 1 paper towel roll into fourths).

2.Fold in twice to create creases and form into box shape with four corners.

3.Cut slits about ½ inch down the sides on each of the four corners to create 4 flaps.

4.Fold down each flap, overlapping as you go, and fold the last flap under like you would a box to keep it together. There should be a small hole at the bottom of the container for drainage.

5.Fill with potting mix and plant seeds according to instructions on seed packet.

6.Allow seedlings to grow by caring for it according to packet instructions.

7.Once seedlings have sprouted, plant in a large pot or directly into the soil. It will biodegrade.

8.Care for your plant based on seed packet instructions and watch it grow!

MATERIALS

1 empty plastic jug, cleaned thoroughly

Thumb tack or scissors

Plate/Tray to catch water drainage (optional, if keeping indoors)

Potting mix

Seeds of choice

Water

INSTRUCTIONS

1.Place cleaned jug on a plate or tray to catch water drainage and/or soil spill.

2.Using a thumb tack, poke 10-15 drainage holes at the bottom of jug. (If using scissors, cut slits at the bottom of each of the four corners of the jug).

3.Add potting mix and plant seeds according to packet instructions.

4.Allow seedlings to grow by caring for it according to seed packet instructions.

5.Transfer to larger pot once seeds start sprouting.

6.Care for your plant based on seed packet instructions and watch it grow!

MATERIALS

1 full sheet leftover newspaper, (per box)

Potting Mix

Seeds of choice

Water

INSTRUCTIONS

1.Fold paper according to video.

2.Fill with potting mix and plant seeds according to instructions on seed packet.

3.Allow seedlings to grow by caring for it according to seed packet instructions.

4.Once it’s time to move the seedlings, plant in a very large pot or directly into the soil. It will biodegrade. Be sure to cover newspaper completely under soil and water well. Once you have the planter in the ground, you may want to tear away the top of the newspaper planter. (Leaving the newspaper sticking up above ground could compete with the seedling for water).

5.Care for your plant based on seed packet instructions and watch it grow!

MATERIALS

Plastic bottle

X-acto knife

Yarn

Power drill

Starter soil

Seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

1.Cut ⅓ of the plastic bottle off.

2.Drill a hole into the bottle cap.

3.Cut 1 foot worth of yarn and soak it in water. (This ensures the water to climb up the yarn into the soil.)

4.Thread yarn through the bottle cap hole and twist on tight.

5.Place the cap side upside down. Let half of the yarn be on the bottom and the other half on the top.

6.Add water to the soil and mix. Place spoonfuls of soil into the top bottle.

7.Add seeds into the soil.

8.Fill water in the bottom half of the bottle.

9.Fill when the water level gets low.

10.Once plants are sprouted you can transfer it into your garden!