How to Make Sturdy Recycled Newspaper Pots

Making pots for seedlings is an effective way to recycle newspaper and save money gardening. Recycled newspaper pots are relatively easy to make and make transplanting seedlings to the garden simple, as the pot can be placed directly into the soil, where it will degrade. Instead of purchasing peat pots at the garden center, consider recycling your old newspapers into beneficial seedling pots.

Scissors
Potting soil
Cookie sheet

Instructions

- 1
  Fold a single newspaper page in half at the crease. Fold the newspaper in half again, lining up the bottom and top edges of the newspaper.
- 2
  Cut about 3 to 3 1/2 inches off of the right side, through all four layers. If your newspapers are wider you may not need to cut any paper off.
- 3
  Fold in half from the bottom upward. Crease well.
- 4
  Fold in half from the left to the right. Crease well again.
- 5
  Hold the bottom right corner, and opening up the flap, line the corner crease up with the crease in the middle. Flip the whole assembly over and repeat with the flap on the left.
- 6
  Pull the left and right flap that are face up together. Pull the back two flaps together. You should now have a smooth-looking triangle with no loose bits.
- 7
  Fold the top right flap in so the edge meets the middle crease. Crease firmly. Fold the same flap in again -- kind of like a paper airplane. Repeat with the top left flap.
- 8
  Flip the whole thing over and fold both flaps in the same way as the previous side.
- 9
  Fold the tabs that are facing upward into the pot so that the top folded edge lines up with the sides. Flip the pot around and fold down the other tabs.
- 10
  Fill with potting soil, dirt or seed starter and plant your seeds or seedlings. Place your recycled newspaper pots on an old cookie sheet or tray that has a small side to keep pots from falling off.

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