Recycled Planters

Starting plants from seed can be a small investment in some cases between seeds, soil and planters.  In the past each season we've bought planter starters which range between $20-35.00.  While this is not a monumental expense, you can save you cash and go green by using items which are commonly discarded in the trash and recycling as planters.  I got many suggestions on recycled planters from Self Sufficiency for the 21st Century and added a few of my own.  Here's a few suggestions of items you might not have thought to use as planters...

• Paper towel & toilet paper tubes - once you've used up all the paper on the rolls, you can use the tubes to start seedlings.  When your seedlings are mature enough to transfer to their permanent home, you can plant the entire tube along with the seedling as the soil and water will decompose the cardboard into the soil.  Make sure to place on a surface that can get soil on it and can get wet.

•  Pudding cups - These are great for planting with kids as you can see the root system develop through the sides of the cup and can see if the plant is dry and needs to be watered.  Yogurt cups will also work well.

• Egg cartons - this is by far my favorite recycled planter as the cups are small and can be left connected.  Like the paper tubes be sure to place these planters on top of plastic, plate, or something that can handle becoming wet as the paper construction planters release some moisture.  

• A suggestion from the Strawbridge Brothers, Authors of Self Sufficiency..., is to use old rain gutters.  They propose that these are ideal for pea plants.  

These planters will save you a few bucks and find new uses for trash.  The important thing to keep in mind is that no matter what you use to start you seeds in, make sure you use a high quality potting soil to start your seeds.  This ensures that your seeds start off with good nutrients to propose germination and growth.  I like to use Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix to start my seeds.  It's widely available at hardware stores, Kmart, Target, Home Depot & Lowes.