Biodegradable origami seedling pots

[This story first appeared in the Oct-Nov 2014 issue of Green Ideas magazine.]

Step 1

Take a tabloid-sized newspaper and tear out a single page. Fold page in half and in half again. Fold in half once more then reopen to create a crease.

Step 2

Fold the corner of the newspaper to the crease last made, and re-open. Do the same on the other side.

Step 3

Open out at the side and pull paper across while pushing down to form a triangle. Turn over and repeat on the other side.

Step 4

Take the top flap and fold over to the other side. Turn paper over and repeat on the other side.

Step 5

Fold outside edges to the centre crease. Fold to the centre once more. Turn over and repeat on the other side.

Step 6

Take opening flaps and fold down, turn over and repeat on the other side.

Step 7

Now open and shape container, pushing the bottom flat so it is able to stand. Fold the flaps down into the pot.

Step 8

Fill with seed-raising mix, add your vegetable seed, cover with more soil then water gently. Once your seedlings are big enough, simply put them in the ground container and all – so long as the paper is wet enough the seedlings will simply push their roots through into the soil below.

Tips for beginners

Sprouting your seeds in seedling pots is a way of giving the baby plants a head-start before they face the elements in your garden. You want the soil to be gently warmed, so a sunny windowsill is often the best spot – and make sure it stays moist by regularly spraying with a mister.

Here’s another really simple seedling container idea, made from toilet rolls! Check out the step-by-step video here.