Goodbye Seed Starting Pots: Embracing Sustainable Solutions
Welcome back to our series, “The Things We No Longer Buy”! As gardening season approaches, it’s time to start your nursery plants for that upcoming summer garden. If you haven’t already thought about it, now is the perfect moment to get those seeds ready to sprout!
God’s Renewability
Let’s take a moment to consider how God’s ways are all about renewal and recycling. He designed us not to be dependent on stores for everything we need, including the tools for gardening. However, if you’ve ever purchased biodegradable pots, you know they can be quite expensive. And let’s not even get started on flimsy plastic pots and seed starting flats that wear out after just a season or two.
I’ve discovered some better, budget-friendly options for seed starting that I no longer have to buy, and let me tell you, they’re easy and effective!
DIY Biodegradable Pots
1. Newspaper Pots
One of the simplest ways to make biodegradable pots is by using a newspaper pot maker. This handy wooden tool will last a lifetime. Just take strips of newspaper or butcher paper, crank out those small pots, and you’re all set! These pots hold up nicely in the nursery and break down well when planted in the garden. Plus, roots can easily penetrate through the paper—it’s a win-win!
2. Brown Paper Pots
If you want to make larger pots, you can cut strips of brown contractor paper and roll them around a half-gallon mason jar. Leave about four inches off one end, fold it in, and secure it with a piece of masking tape to create the bottom of your pot. When it’s time to plant, just remove the masking tape, and you’re good to go!
3. Soil Block Maker
Another great tool is a soil block maker. Choose the size tip you want for the depth of the planting hole, fill the cavities with moistened potting mix, squeeze the lever, and voilà—out pops eight soil blocks! This method is quick and lets you establish an entire nursery in no time.
4. Traditional Seed Flats
Of course, we can’t forget about traditional seed flats, which is the method we use at our training center in Africa. You can create boxes that are 12 inches by 18 inches, with some being three inches deep and others six inches deep (just make sure not to use pressure-treated wood). This method allows you to broad cast seeds onto the shallow flats and then transplant them into the deeper ones, letting the plants thrive longer in the nursery.
Having your seedlings spend their first month in the nursery helps maximize food production since they occupy less time in your actual garden beds.
Watering Wisely
Now, let’s talk about a common issue when starting seeds: watering. You don’t want your seeds to dry out, but too much water isn’t good either. Using a spray bottle often results in water evaporating into the air before it even reaches your seeds—definitely not ideal!
I’ve found that my best results come from bottom watering. I use sprouting trays with a bottom reservoir to hold water, then add two pieces of cotton or wool quilt batting on top. This material holds moisture under the paper pots or soil blocks. I only need to add water daily to keep the reservoir full. Bonus: these trays often come with domed lids, creating the perfect environment for the first 24-48 hours!
Planting Depths
One of the most common mistakes people make is planting seeds too deep. For most seeds, they should be planted at a depth of one to two times their length. For tiny seeds, this often means simply broadcasting them and lightly covering with a sprinkle of soil. I like to cover my seed trays with a dome lid and place a towel over them to block out light during the crucial first few days, creating a nurturing environment for sprouting.
Get Creative!
Don’t hesitate to get creative! You can use a variety of items to start your seedlings. Even a box supported on a tray can work wonders!
Light and Care
For successful seed starting, ensure your plants receive adequate light without direct, harsh sunlight. Control their water by not leaving them out in the rain, and remember that most seeds benefit from soaking for a few hours before planting—if possible, soak them in compost tea or worm tea for extra nourishment.
Final Thoughts
I pray you have an abundant gardening season this year! Remember to focus on building healthy soil because healthy soil leads to healthy plants, which in turn creates healthy people! HEALTHY SOIL = HEALTHY PLANTS = HEALTHY PEOPLE!
Join the movement! Together, we can work towards Restoring Mankind to the Garden, nurturing both our bodies and our environment with the power of God’s sustainable practices. Happy gardening!