March 7, 2019

Plant Your Herbs Indoors With Paper Pots

Learn how to plant your garden herbs in paper pots with biodegradable starter pots made from recycled newspaper.

It’s that time of year again and I couldn’t be more excited! Now is the time we actually start to get some seeds planted. It’s recommended to plant your herbs 6-8 weeks before the last frost, which is right about now here in upstate NY.

In an effort to reduce our foot print, we are using a paper pot maker to start our seeds. If you don’t know what a paper pot maker is, it’s an inexpensive wooden press used to make biodegradable starter pots out of strips of newspaper.

Check Out the Paper Pot Maker

♻️The paper pot maker is easy to use and it’s a great way to save some money and be more sustainable.

♻️Biodegradable pots made from recycled newspapers are a responsible and efficient way to reduce landfill waste.

The best part about the paper pot is that it can be transplanted right into the ground. The newspaper will rot into the soil and allow the roots to grow. For under $10, you could have an unlimited supply of biodegradable starter pots without having to pay another dime. One Sunday paper can probably take care of your entire garden this spring!

Time to Plant Your Herbs!

Now you need to decide what to plant your seeds in. You could you soil, but I prefer soil-less starter mix.

♻️For your medium, I recommend Burpee Seed Starter Mix. This mix is made from coconut coir, which is a renewable resource. Coconut coir provides better aeration for seedlings than soil. It is all organic and this mix is enriched with organic plant food.

♻️ Now, choose your favorite herbs! This is totally up to you.
I was so excited to get my herbs planted this year that I went a little crazy and got a dozen varieties!!

♻️Sow the seeds as directed (Place seeds on top of the soil or 1/8” below soil so sunlight can still penetrate) READ CARE INSTRUCTIONS!

🌱Rosemary seeds have to soak 12-16 hours in warm water before sowing

♻️Use highlighters to color code the pots, or make your own labels! You don’t want to lose track of which seedling is which!

♻️Now you have to water them. It is important that you do this carefully because if you soak through the newspaper, you will ruin your pots.I use a small syringe to water my seeds, this way, it doesn’t drown them or soak through my pots. The mix should be moist but not soaked.

♻️Place your paper pots in a sunny window for happy plants. Southern facing windows are best, but any sunny window will work!

♻️First signs of life should be within 14 days. Just check your plants daily and make sure the starter mix remains moist.

♻️When plants grow to 4-5”, either transplant them into bigger pots, or plant the paper pots directly in the ground!