Containers for Planting Seeds That Cost (Almost) Nothing

01If you are planning to start growing seeds indoors this season, you probably know what you need.

02Soil, seeds, water, light, and containers.

03Gardening expert for the Associated Press, Jessica Damiano, suggests saving money on the containers.

04Why buy them when you can use objects that are already in your kitchen?

05The creative reuse of simple things around the home is called upcycling.

06The goal is to save money and cut down on waste.

07Damiano said, If you have a coffee maker that uses plastic pods, they are the right size for starting seedlings.

08Just remove the paper covering and wash out the coffee grounds.

09Other small plastic food containers, such as yogurt cups, are good for starting seeds.

10Egg cartons work well, too.

11Whatever container you upcycle, make holes in the bottom to let water drain out.

12You can even make containers for seedlings from sheets of newspaper.

13Today's newsprint uses soy-based ink.

14It is considered safe for starting plants that you will eat.

15Here is how to make a newspaper container.

16Fold a newspaper page in half, lengthwise.

17Then fold it a second time to make a long strip.

18Next, place a small can, like a tomato paste can, along one edge of the newspaper, about 5 centimeters from the bottom.

19Then roll the newspaper tightly around the can to form a cylinder.

20Fold the extra newspaper in at the bottom of the can.

21If necessary, use a small piece of tape at the bottom.

22Remove the can, and you have a starter container for your seedlings.

23Watering the usual way will make the newspaper too wet, so water the soil surface with a sprayer.

24But why use such small pots?

25The starter containers are only used for the first part of growing seedlings.

26When they outgrow those first pots, it is time to move them into larger containers.

27Be careful when moving seeds from small to larger containers.

28Repotting can shock plants.

29However, if you used newspaper or some other biodegradable material, just plant the small container into the larger one.

30You might be asking, why not just grow the seeds in a big pot?

31Damiano said the larger pots require a larger amount of potting mix, or soil, which would hold more water, than a seedling's young roots can use.

32That extra water could place seedlings at risk of root rot.

33Root rot is a common way young plants die.

34Damiano adds that using smaller containers saves money on special soil.

35Sterile seed starting mix, which she said is the best choice for seedlings, is more costly than regular potting mix.

36You will use much less in a smaller container.

37When repotting young plants, you can use ordinary potting mix in their larger containers.

38However, Damiano warns to never use ordinary garden soil.

39It is too dense.

40Also, it may have pests or germs that could kill or hurt seedlings.

41I'm Anna Mateo.