Aiming to keep my dirt-dwelling life simple, special and sweet

Sprouting Seeds with Newspaper Cups

THANKS Making Lemonade for featuring this post at your linky party :) I do hope that spring is on it's way....



According to Sprout Robot, it's time to start growing broccoli indoors. My seeds have arrived, and I was lucky to find a great recycled way to sprout seeds indoors. 



Pinterest provided a link to Cottage Hill's Recycled Newspaper Pots. Four of them fit nicely into a closed container, which sits comfortably on my dining room windowsill. This is a super-easy, and resource-wise, activity for starting a spring garden. 

Start with taking one piece of newspaper.


Fold the piece of newspaper in half.


Use a canned good and lay it on the newspaper at one end. The can should be about an inch or so from the bottom edge. 




Roll the can until it comes to the end of the newspaper. Roll tightly, but lightly, because the can will need to come out of the roll easily.




Use one small piece of tape to secure the roll.


Like a present, fold in  each side of the bottom and tape. 





I made a few of these and placed them in a planter that I had in the kitchen. Four fit nicely. I put about 1 cup of organic soil in each cup (1/4 cup at a time), followed by a few broccoli seeds, and then an 1/8 cup of soil on top. The seed package called for 1/2 inch of soil to be placed on the seeds. 


I have many seeds left over from this package, so they will go up to Michigan to my sister. When I opened my seed box yesterday, my dad told me that I had enough seeds to grow food on acres.... he is taking a bunch home with him. 

Eddie is very proud of our garden start, so far....


...and I'm excited to see these first seeds sprout! Once they do, I can plant the newspaper cup along with the seeds. The newspaper is a good addition to a garden. For you smart gardeners, is there something different I can do to hold the newspaper together instead of tape? Or is it not a worry to plant with the tape?



8 comments:

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I did these a couple years ago with broccoli and they totally worked! Good luck!

Rachel said...

Very cool idea. It's a little early for planting seeds here, since we can't even plant a garden until mid-May, but I'm definitely keeping this idea in mind for later on!

Unknown said...

How cool! That is such a great idea. I will have to try this with my kids!
~Tonia @TheGunnySack.com

Carrie said...

You were featured on this week's Refresh Your Nest Friday!

http://makinglemonadeblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/is-it-really-friday-already-my-mom.html

Unknown said...

Fabulous idea! I have to try it! Thanks for sharing at Overflowing with Creativity! Here's a link in case you want to register for my giveaway!

Ramsign Giveaway: Porcelain Enamel Sign {up to $99 value}

XO, Aimee

Unknown said...

PS I'm excited to be your newest follower! I'd love it if you would stop by and share the 'love' if you haven't already! Thanks LOTS, Aimee

A Couple of Craft Addicts said...

What a great idea! This would make a great kids craft!

Thanks for sharing at A Couple of Craft Addicts!

Unknown said...

I love the idea! I need to try to plant more this spring with my daughter. Thanks for stopping by www.thenymelrosefamily.blogspot.com. If you need any suggestions with the hope chest, let me know. I'm your newest follower.