Introduction: Recycled Seedling Pots

Every year my I do a vegetable garden with my students and every year we try to start as much as we can inside while the snow melts. We also like to do as much as we can using seeds. It's cheaper, more variety, and you can have as many plants as you want. Starting your vegetables from seeds also allows you to do successive planting so that you can have some control over your harvest.

To make growing your own vegetables even cheaper, you can use recycled materials around the house for your seedling pots.

I updated this Instructable on 4/4/16 to show the seedlings and the snow that just dumped on the Boston area.

Step 1: Materials

Toilet Paper Rolls (or other similar rolls)

Empty containers

Plastic Wrap

Seeds

Seed Starting Mix

Step 2: Toilet Paper Roll Pots

Take a toilet paper roll and make 4 even cuts on one side. Fold each of these sides in over each other and press upwards.

Once you have all your toilet paper rolls "put together" place them in a water-friendly container and fill with seed starting mix. Add a little water to moisten the mix.

Add your seeds or sprouts and cover with plastic wrap. Set in a warm area out of direct sunlight until you see seedlings emerge. When they have their first true leaves you can remove the plastic wrap and place the seedlings in a warm and sunny area.

Later, when your plants are ready to go into the ground or a larger container, you can plant them in the toilet paper roll.

Step 3: Take-Out Containers

It doesn't have to be take-out containers, any container that you would otherwise toss or recycle can be used for growing seedlings. I like to put big bottle caps that have several holes poked through, on the bottom of the container before I add the soil, it makes a sort of self-watering container and gives you an idea of how much water is at the bottom.

Add soil to the container and then your seeds. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and set out of direct sunlight, but in a warm spot. I started seeing seedlings within 5 days. When the seedlings were touching the roof of the lid/plastic wrap, I removed the cover and moved the containers to a sunny area.

Home Remedies Challenge 2016

Runner Up in the
Home Remedies Challenge 2016

Urban Farming Contest

Participated in the
Urban Farming Contest

Full Spectrum Laser Contest 2016

Participated in the
Full Spectrum Laser Contest 2016