Recycled Seed Starting

Mar 3, 2016

2 min read

I know that in a few moments you are going to be laughing hysterically... toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes and gallon milk jugs.. these are your free seed starting tools. Rinse the gallon milk jugs really well when they are empty and then leave the lid off (but save it) so they dry. Next cut out a serious hole in the milk jug so that the handle and lid are left and you have an approximately 4 - 5 inch well in the gallon milk jug. Next cut the toilet paper tubes in half (thru the middle please) to create seed starting "pots" that will go to the garden when you are ready to transplant them as the "pot" will decompose in the soil. The same with the paper towel tubes - cut them into 3 inch sections then place these inside the well of your gallon milk jug. Next... purchase a bag of seed starting medium since soil is difficult for these tender seeds to push through easily. Fill each of the tubes with seed starter... place at least 2 seeds of tomato, pepper, eggplant, herbs, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower or any other plant you want for your garden. Follow the package directions for the depth to plant and you can use a toothpick measured to the correct depth to easily plant the seeds. Next.. water... place your milk jugs near a south facing window or any window that allows good light through. Now... you wait for your seeds to sprout. Keep the strongest plant and fill your seed "pot" to the top with seed starter to get roots growing more deeply in your little pot. 6 - 8 weeks before you want to put these in the garden is the approximate starting time. Ok.. now let's say this doesn't work. Head for your closest greenhouse - from New Douglas that is Fred's Greenhouse in Sorento and buy the plants for your garden but .. I think this is going to work for you and kids really enjoy watching for the seeds to sprout and wait for the secondary leaves to appear and the plant to grow. Please enjoy the process and make sure you don't drown your new seedlings so keep the watering to minimum so they are not floating. The best to you all in your recycled seed starting adventure.