Low-cost/No-cost Upcycled Seed Starting Kits

It seems like spring is taking forever to get here, doesn't it? Not to worry though, there are some things you can do to get started on your garden early. The best part is that you can use common items found around the house or at the Reuse Centre. I use these techniques every year to get my tomatoes and flowers started indoors with no outlay of expenses other than the potting soil.

Cardboard Tube Seed Pot 

Photo Credit: Sarah J.

What you will need:

• Clean cardboard tubes (toilet paper, paper towel, or wrapping paper rolls)
• Scissors
• Shallow plastic tray
• Potting soil *sterilized through microwaving or store bought to reduce the risk of introducing molds that may harm your seedlings. Packaged potting soil is already sterilized.
• Yogurt container
• Water
• Seeds

Steps:

1. Find a clean cardboard tube (trim longer tubes to about 7-10cm) and cut four slits into the bottom of the roll a quarter of an inch long.
2. Press cut sections of toilet paper rolls inwards to create the bottom of the seed pot. Don't worry if it doesn't stay completely shut on its own, the soil will hold everything in place. 
3. Fill the cardboard seed pot with soil. I like to fill a yogurt container with soil first and then scoop the soil with the cardboard seed pot.
4. Once the seed pot is filled with soil, stand it up in a shallow plastic tray. The tray will collect any extra water.
5. Make as many as you need and follow the directions on the seed packet for planting.
6. Keep the seed pots damp and warm to sprout the seeds.
7. When the sprout gets large enough, replant it in the garden or a larger pot. 

Pastry Container Seed Starting

Photo Credit: Sarah J.

What you will need:

• Plastic pastry container
• Scissors
• Yogurt container, to scoop the soil
• Potting soil *sterilized through microwaving or store bought to reduce the risk of introducing molds that may harm your seedlings. Packaged potting soil is already sterilized. 
• Seeds 

Steps :

1. You will need to make some drainage holes; use one side of the scissors and poke some holes in the bottom of your pastry container. 
2. Cut the lid off. 
3. Fill the bottom portion of the container with damp potting soil. 
4. Plant the seeds according to seed package. 
5. Place the lid on the top of the bottom of the pastry container to keep the moisture in the soil while the seeds germinate. 
6. When the seeds sprout place the lid underneath as a tray to prevent water from leaking onto your table.
7. Water as needed, to keep the soil damp.

Starting seeds inside will give you a jump start on the summer gardening. Most of the supplies are easily found around the house and whatever you're missing can be found at the Reuse Centre. This will save you money on buying new supplies and starter plants from the garden centers. If you have little ones, let them get dirty, let them see something grow! 

- Sarah J. (Volunteer)