Frugal Seed Starter Ideas
The practice of growing your own garden to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the family provides the added benefit of saving money on the grocery bill. Using recycled materials to start seeds for your garden is an effective way to cut the cost of producing your own food. Does this Spark an idea?
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Seed Starting Trays
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Recycled plastic containers make effective seed starting trays. These options range from cutting a gallon milk jug to make a small tray to saving trays from the deli. Typically, as long as the tray provides room for 2 inches of soil, it can be used as a seed starting tray.
Paper Pots
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Recycled newspapers wrapped around an old juice can and taped to form a paper pot work well for starting larger seedlings such as tomatoes. These simple paper pots can be made in any size by altering the size of the can you use for a mold. Fold the paper under the can and tape securely before removing the can you used for a mold. You may need several layers of paper to make a sturdy pot.
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Individual Pots
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Seeds started in a seed tray often require potting in a larger pot before it is time to plant them in the garden. Recycled yogurt cups, cottage cheese containers and small milk cartons all make effective pots for transplanting your seedlings.
Seed Tapes
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Making seed tapes for planting in the garden when the weather is right avoids the need to purchase seed starter or other potting medium, while allowing you to prepare for planting in advance. Place a dab of white school glue on a strip of paper towel -- inexpensive generic paper towels work well -- and glue the seeds to the proper spacing. Allow to dry completely. When planting time arrives, laying the seed tape on the soil and covering lightly with soil is all that's needed to get your garden off to a healthy start.
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