Creating seed starter pots using things you might have just thrown in the garbage is a good way to get your kids involved in gardening and at the same time teach them about reusing, recycling and repurposing things.
As you can see in the image on the left I am using cardboard milk cartons but most cartons can be used, even plastic coffee containers. The goal is to turn them into something useful instead of trashing them.
I like using the milk and juice cartons as indoor seed starting pots and for my herb garden. I just cut out one side, put holes in the opposite side, add stones and dirt, water and put on the window sill.
Making A Seed Starter Container From A Cardboard Milk Carton
1. Wash each container thoroughly and allow it to dry. I add just a little bleach to the water to kill any bacteria left in the container and then rinse it really well.
2. I like to use a ruler and pen to make a line a quarter inch in from the edge. That’s where I will cut out the opening where the pebbles and dirt go. I cut much straighter lines if I mark it first. Leaving the lip makes the container stronger.
3. Before I cut out the rectangle I like to put a series of drainage holes in the opposite side. Once you cut the rectangle out it is a little wabbly putting the holes in.
4. Then I cut the rectangle I marked and keep the piece I cut out to use as a separator to make my container into three sections. So try and cut it out in one piece and then just cut that piece in half. I add those pieces when I’m filling it with soil.
Making sections allows me to easily remove the sections later without roots tangling. It also allows me to plant different seeds and easily mark them. Nothing goes to waste.
5. The drainage holes I put in the bottom can plug with soil so I like to cover the bottom with small stones or pebbles. It doesn’t need many, just enough to cover the holes.
6. Put your soil mix in and plant your seeds according to the directions on the seed pack.
