If you like growing vegetables and flowers, you usually grow many plants yourself from seeds. The indoor greenhouse and the matching cultivation trays can cost a lot of money. So what could be more obvious than making these yourself from things that are already in the household? This not only saves money, but is also environmentally friendly as precious resources are saved.
How can I make seed trays myself?
Growing trays are easy to make yourself by cutting up toilet paper rolls, using fruit containers made from compostable material or forming newspaper. These environmentally friendly alternatives save money and resources.
Planting pots made from toilet paper rolls
Depending on how many nursery pots you need, you should start collecting the insides of toilet paper in winter. The not-too-thick cardboard material is perfect to serve as a seed pot:
- Cut toilet paper rolls in the middle.
- Place in existing growing trays. Here you can also repurpose old plastic containers for fruit and vegetables.
- Fill with potting soil.
- Sprinkle seeds and, if they are dark germinators, cover with soil if necessary.
- Wet with a sprayer.
With vegetable bowls, you can easily use a second bowl as a cover. The holes in the lid allow for slight air circulation, but the desired greenhouse climate is still created. The slight ventilation even prevents the potting soil from becoming moldy.
Place the mini greenhouse in a bright, warm place and keep the seedlings evenly moist. Please do not water too heavily, this promotes waterlogging and thus rot.
Growing containers made from fruit containers
Retailers are increasingly avoiding plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables. Instead, the food is offered in compostable cardboard trays. These are ideal as growing containers, especially for seeds that are spread over a large area.
So that the moisture does not evaporate too quickly, you should also place the bowls in plastic bowls and cover them with a lid. Herbs such as cress or parsley, which are usually not isolated, can be planted directly in the garden with the peel. The material composts quickly and serves as food for microorganisms.
Growing pots made of newspaper
This very cheap solution requires some tinkering, but works very well:
- Cut newspaper page in half.
- Fold in half to create a long strip of paper.
- Wrap this around a small container.
- Fold the excess ends into the jar.
Place the open tubes in a seed tray, fill with soil and sprinkle the seeds. Pour on and place in a bright, warm place.
Tip
It is often recommended to use old egg cartons as a breeding container. We haven't had good experiences with this. The potting soil here molds very quickly and the newly sprouted seedlings die as a result.
