When you love gardening, you know well how plastic or other metals could harm plants. If you are looking for biodegradable pots online but they are very costly. Then don’t worry, you can also make them at your home both naturally and economically.
All you need is some products like paper, eggshells, cartons etc., which you can easily get in a way cheaper and healthier to grow your plants. Let’s look at the ways of making biodegradable pots –
1. Newspaper Pots
Things needed – newspaper, scissors and a mold (either glass or jar). Note – Don’t use the glossy paper from the magazine, as it has toxic metals in the inks.
Technique- Cut the paper in long strips taller than the mold you took. Fold a side in length and then undo it. Now tightly roll the paper with the help of a jar and fold the extra ends to create the bases. Remove the mold and fold the edges firmly.
2. Egg Crate Pots
The simplest method to make, cut the lid of the crate and place is under the base now, fill the compartments with soil. That’s it; these can be easily torn after the dampness of the soil. Make sure you tear the base before planting, so the root can go into the soil.
3. Toilet Paper Rolls
Cut the tubes in half, or you can also leave it whole in case the plant needs more root space. Cut long slits that are equally spaced at one end of the tube.
Fold the flaps alternatively to make an interlocking base. Now, you can fill the soil and sow seeds in it. Note – Keep them in a tray to support the softened cardboard as your plant will grow. The roots will automatically find ways to grow.
4. Recycling Cereal Box
These are just made by recycling those waste cereal boxes in your cupboards. Any other light cardboard can also be used. Just strip it into pieces and make a pulp of it after mixing water to it. Add a little amount of flour and then push the pulp into the silicone cupcake trays; let them dry or bake them until they are ready.
Note – steel tray can lead to sticky pots.
5. Paper Pulp Pots
This technique works the same as the cereal boxes, but you need shredded paper waste and water to make the pulp. Then, extract the excess water and keep it in the cupcake trays.
Push the pulp in the bottom first and up on the sides. Let it dry for 24 hours or more until it feels dry. It is ready.
6. Egg Shells
Did you know you can use eggshells for growing seedlings? Just make a hole into it, so the drainage is well and soil and seed. You are good to go; place these on the sunny side. Herbs and small flowers are preferred.
7. Paper Cups
After the party, instead of throwing these cups, you can use these as biodegradable pots. Punch a hole in the bottom, add soil and desired seed of the plant. You can tear the excess part before planting it on the ground.
8. Muffin Cups
If you have those muffin liners after having the dish, you can use them. Just plant the seed in the cups, and when the seedlings are ready to be planted, you can put it directly in the soil with the paper liners.
9. Carton Boxes
Instead of throwing those juice cartons, wash them and cut the side to make open space. Now you can fill it with potting mix and seeds. You can easily grow some seedlings in this DIY.
10. Fruit Peels
Precisely citrus fruit peels are good for this. For this, you just need to cut the lemon or orange halfway in the cross. Hollow it and make a hole for drainage. Now, fill the soil and seeds in halves.
These pots are so easy to make, and as the materials can be recycled easily, these won’t release any toxins to the ground. The best thing is they can be directly planted in your garden. Also, the materials are easily available around the house.
