Square Paper Seedling Pots - Quick, Easy, and Biodegradable

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  • Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
  • In a previous video, we quickly showed off our square DIY Paper Seedling Pots, and a number of you asked for a tutorial. So today, we're going to do just that! :)

Комментарии • 549

  • @wifemamateacher
    @wifemamateacher 3 года назад +4

    Love this idea! Our kiddos love origami, and we include that as part of our handicraft time for homeschooling (helps train kiddos in precision, and aids in the development of both hand/eye coordination and fine motor control of the fingers), and they would LOVE to make these for our newly sown pepper and tomato plants when they reach potting stage! Thank you very much for sharing!

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад +3

      Oh, that's a great idea! It's also a fun way to get them involved in their own food production at a young age. I really hope they (and you) enjoy them! :)

  • @theblueflame
    @theblueflame 3 года назад +3

    The video was filled with information that was delivered nicely and clearly with amazing graphics and visuals, I was entertained through the entire video (for all the video I have seen) it was high production, very high quality videos, but I think because of how high the quality they are they don’t leave room for stuff like harvesting videos and the like, for something like the garlic video I would have loved to see a follow up video showing the end result it would have been an amazing pay off for that video, the first video I watched was the potato video of you planting and harvesting the potatoes that Drew me in to the channel then watched other videos like the grass video and the grass tea video that I found amazing I never thought that I would be so attentive to something like grass then I watched your garlic video I loved it then started to look for the follow up video of the harvest , i was disappointed as there was no pay off to the planting but all in all I will be subscribing and waiting for more from you guys thanks for these amazing videos.

  • @shelly5224
    @shelly5224 3 года назад +57

    I don't plant large scale but i just save toilet paper and paper towel rolls, make 4 small cuts on one end and fold them like a box top.

    • @dachsymom5232
      @dachsymom5232 3 года назад +4

      I do this too. Method my Mama taught md and her Mama taught her. Works great! Best of all free and no using gas to go sourcing. Already on hand when needed. Reduces landfill. Win, win, win.

    • @shelly5224
      @shelly5224 3 года назад +3

      @@dachsymom5232 EXACTLY

    • @coldhandjacinth9069
      @coldhandjacinth9069 3 года назад +1

      Brilliant! I'm trying this in spring if I survive the dark winter.

    • @Alyn08
      @Alyn08 2 года назад

      And it works?

    • @LuisC7
      @LuisC7 2 года назад

      I didn't understand??? Can you explain please

  • @stacyclark5910
    @stacyclark5910 Год назад

    Most helpful method & end results on biodegradable pots online I have found! Thx! & happy, good, fun & successful gardening!❤

  • @JustinR82
    @JustinR82 3 года назад

    This is my first season really going full force on starting a TON of seeds and my main concern was pots. After watching this, I think my problem might be solved!! I can't wait to get some paper and try this out!

  • @gardenlove2782
    @gardenlove2782 3 года назад +1

    Boy you have so much spare time to make hundreds of these! I’m jealous.

  • @Cyrilmc222004
    @Cyrilmc222004 10 месяцев назад

    Thank you so much I really really enjoyed watching your video, and it’s really helpful and useful too. I’m going to make some and I think you’ve got this just right too

  • @guidingroamingsouls2682
    @guidingroamingsouls2682 2 года назад

    Yall are geniuses! I love the tips and appreciate you for sharing your passion with us!

  • @nancynahnigoh3550
    @nancynahnigoh3550 3 года назад

    Great ideas to do so great jobs

  • @pearl7477
    @pearl7477 Год назад +2

    I have a couple of suggestions- Instead of doing all that cutting, buy a roll of painter's masking paper. It comes in 6", 9", 12". I use 6". I have a scrap board that I have screwed a couple of 3" L brackets to(any hardware store carries them- they already have holes in them) and attach the masking paper roll between them with a kabob skewer. Then you can roll out your paper to desired length and use a ruler to tear the paper. If you mark your board, you can do it uniformly. 2nd suggestion: Fold back your 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch at the top and leave it folded EXCEPT for the end (the outer edge when rolling). About 2 inches from that end, unfold that and just tear your paper back to your 1/2" fold line and leave that part unfolded. Roll up your paper (I have a 2 inch dowel) to the end, fold in your bottom, remove your paper pot from your dowel, THEN fold that last 2" flap to the inside. Easy peasy, quick, inexpensive. The paper is light weight but perfectly fine for the duration on your seedling growth. For my 2 inch dowel, I use about 15" piece of paper.
    '

  • @GrassrootsGarden
    @GrassrootsGarden 3 года назад

    What a great video!!!!! I came for a minute and stayed for the full 11.

  • @sherilynalexnder897
    @sherilynalexnder897 3 года назад

    The paper pots are a fabulous idea. Dollar Tree sells rolls of brown paper. Most grocery stores offer paper bags (free, if you don't count the cost of the groceries), although there is typically some printing on those bags.

  • @SergeGrowsOrganicEndHunger
    @SergeGrowsOrganicEndHunger 3 года назад

    Your videos are always interesting to watch and very informative, thank you. I'm definitely going to use this square pots

  • @megalepivolos
    @megalepivolos 3 года назад

    excellent idea thank you very much

  • @sewwelikecrumbs5825
    @sewwelikecrumbs5825 3 года назад

    Love this I like quick easy and very affordable thanks

  • @michaelgibson2163
    @michaelgibson2163 3 года назад

    I looked into paper planters last year and what i found was that newspapers use food grade dye. One of the few positive outcomes of having such fragile generations coming up. No newspapers want to be the ones to poison a paper eating teen so they are relatively innocuous. The non glossy newspaper only.

  • @CITAP1
    @CITAP1 3 года назад

    That's a creative way to plant. Holy cow, a Paula sighting. Take care.

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад +2

      Lol, yeah the sightings tend to be a bit more rare these days, but she's always there in the background, even if not always visible. :)

  • @peaceandfreedom8931
    @peaceandfreedom8931 3 года назад

    ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!!

  • @okpen1234
    @okpen1234 3 года назад

    If you have a worm bin, the paper bags can be reused as brown's if you are not pleased with the idea of having paper in your garden soil.
    The worms Will have a good feast.

  • @bullkeusatough6693
    @bullkeusatough6693 3 года назад

    very impressive

  • @Raytaotao
    @Raytaotao 3 года назад

    you are a genius!

  • @derekp6867
    @derekp6867 3 года назад

    Another idea you could try is a soil blocker. It makes a block of solid soil out of your soil to plant it. Doesn't use plastic or paper

  • @RiverPlaid
    @RiverPlaid 3 года назад

    Awesome again 🌸

  • @AE-bm4no
    @AE-bm4no 3 года назад

    Toilet paper rolls work great too. You make cuts at the bottom and just add water to make the bottom stick together.

  • @patrickhagan853
    @patrickhagan853 3 года назад

    You should look into soil blockers they take out the need for plastics pots and trays.

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад +1

      Funny enough, after a number of people recommended them, we've just (a few days ago) ordered a soil blocker! :) So we should hopefully receive it in time to experiment with this season!

  • @debbiekoortzen1154
    @debbiekoortzen1154 3 года назад

    Thos was really inspiring, thank you.

  • @michaelscott356
    @michaelscott356 Год назад

    1. To create the reinforced double top edge of the paper pot, what if you just fold over/down the top inch of the paper before it's wrapped around the block? This saves wrestling with the "finished" product and avoids the risk of the pot "unfolding", as it appears to be doing in the video.

  • @RobinsTinyHomestead
    @RobinsTinyHomestead 3 года назад +2

    Great idea, I think I would just buy paper lunch bags and fold them down since I don't have a partner to help.:-):-):-)

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад +2

      You're the second person who commented about using paper bags! This is such a great idea!
      It would likely cost a bit more in the long run, but my goodness, it sure would be easy!

    • @RobinsTinyHomestead
      @RobinsTinyHomestead 3 года назад +1

      @@BackToReality I think you can get quite a few a the dollar tree in one package .:-):-):-)

  • @pratnama
    @pratnama 3 года назад

    soil pot mixed with clay is the best

  • @BillynBertie
    @BillynBertie 9 месяцев назад

    How do you cope with the pots becoming damp and falling apart before planting them out? I would like to grow difficult to germinate seedlings like parsnips and even carrots in this way, but it has always ended up with the pots falling apart in the planting process as they take a long time to grow to planting size in the pots and thus root disturbance which is fatal to root crops (i.e. forked roots or destruction of the tap root which makes the vegetable). As you suggest, standard plants which make a network of roots tend to hold the pots together anyway so there is less problem. Any ideas on how to keep root crops in place before planting out?

  • @stevefromthegarden1135
    @stevefromthegarden1135 3 года назад

    Since you are using 10x20 trays, did you consider using soil blocks? No time spent cutting or working with paper.

  • @marilenebeaulieu9727
    @marilenebeaulieu9727 3 года назад

    I have the same problem with solo cups. I am searching for other solutions. I was thinking maybe, just maybe, is soil block doable for transplant? Not sowing, transplant, like tomatoes and peppers plants put in a hole in a soil block.

  • @haticee5893
    @haticee5893 3 года назад

    Great video, did you have any problem with watering while using those? Are there anything you need to be careful about the watering?

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад +1

      Thanks! We tried top watering and bottom watering, and neither seemed to cause any issues. We never noticed any mold growing (though, that doesn't mean that there wasn't any). The thin paper seems to do a pretty good job of wicking the water, and they held together well until they were ready to plant out. We'll be using them again this year, and will report back if we notice any issues - you never know if we just got lucky the first time around. :)

    • @haticee5893
      @haticee5893 3 года назад

      @@BackToReality Thanks

  • @emptynestgardens9057
    @emptynestgardens9057 3 года назад

    How are they for bottom watering? Do they take any longer to wick up the water? Do they wick up evenly?

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад

      We tried both top and bottom watering, and both seem to work fine. The thin paper seems to wick really well. That said, we didn't pay A LOT of attention to the speed / evenness last year, so it's hard to say which is best. But either way, I think they are worth a shot - even if just on a small scale - to see if/how they work for you.

  • @omniocrom
    @omniocrom 3 года назад +80

    In Scandinavia only 1 percent of our waste goes to landfills. 49 percent of all garage are recycled from our households and 50 percent are used to heat households, water etc. In our household we recycle all glass, plastics, paper, metal and leftovers from food. We take all dangerous items, computers, lamps, furniture etc to a special plant and sort it in to different containers.
    It really feels good to know that garbage is going back in the system and not building horrible trash-mountains contaminating the world. 🙂

    • @mulatadesanzala2920
      @mulatadesanzala2920 3 года назад +6

      @Erica Nyström hej Erica ! Vad kull att träffas här ! How i miss my Sweden of my exile years ! After 50 years of Sweden i got a big shock when i emigrated to Minnesota not so long ago. Americans talk about recycling... what a joke! Exact as Erica said, recycling is something natural and part of our DNA. It’s natural and everyone does it automatically. In our plantation in Africa recycle, saving everything and improving was a natural way of life. When i went to Sweden, was easy but recycling become improved and like an art of living and caring for our planet. Coming to America was a discovery of environmental disaster to me... its time we start REALLY making recycling and environment a very serious matter. We use and abuse disposables here and create terrible hardships on flora and fauna. THANKS FOR A GREAT VIDEO!! EXCELLENT IDEA ! Please cybernauts out with more ideas like this.

    • @peacelily720
      @peacelily720 3 года назад +1

      As South Korea does

    • @naturenirvana1
      @naturenirvana1 3 года назад

      Wow, that's great :)

    • @KrishnaYadav-xz3fj
      @KrishnaYadav-xz3fj 3 года назад

      It's great Ms. Erica. Other countries and citizens must follow the same to save our mother nature.

    • @timan2039
      @timan2039 3 года назад

      Are you able to recycle the electronic waste in Scandinavia? I do want the USA to recycle like our lives depend on it, because it does. Denver, CO puts far more effort into recycling than the last three cities I have lived in but there needs to be more participation from people and of course better management and reducing outsourcing.

  • @juliew1589
    @juliew1589 3 года назад +55

    I love this idea and saves washing out pots I reuse each year. A great activity for kids too! I appreciate all the effort you put into videos, the graphics really help to understand concepts when you do that.

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад

      Thanks so much Julie! I really appreciate that! :)

  • @BackToReality
    @BackToReality  3 года назад +49

    Hey guys, Derrick here :)
    Thanks to the large number of you who have recommended that we try soil blocks... we've just ordered a soil blocker! So, assuming it arrives in time, we'll be trying it out for some of our seedlings this year. And as usual, we'll also post a video about it, to let you all know how it goes. Thanks, as always, for your tips, tricks, suggestions, and encouragements. These videos take so much work to produce, but you guys truly make it all worth it. So thanks for watching, and we'll see you soon. ;)

    • @pyramidion5911
      @pyramidion5911 3 года назад +2

      I've considered this myself but I think your paper pot method is better. Why start a plant out in compacted soil that will hamper its growth?

    • @Chris-op7yt
      @Chris-op7yt 3 года назад +3

      @@pyramidion5911 : that's what commercial and market garden growers say, having tried various soil blocks. they all end up going back to the tested and works well technology of commercial grade cell trays. but box/garden stores dont stock them, they only have those flimsy trays. commercial trays in horticulture supply stores or specialty suppliers like Hoss Tools in America.

    • @itstheotherwhitemeat
      @itstheotherwhitemeat 3 года назад +3

      i dont find soil blokes are worth your time. you may have better results.

    • @Chris-op7yt
      @Chris-op7yt 3 года назад +1

      @@itstheotherwhitemeat : i agree. in the larger format presented, they solve a problem that doesnt exist, unless you insist needlessly to step up. it's even worse if stepping up from not using cell trays.
      only time you need to step up is when growing perennials. unless you're a commercial grower trying to reduce costs, using plastic pots for stepping up perennials is not some big dilemma.
      so why waste space, time, effort and money doing something that is not productive. save your money by not wasting it unnecessarily on all the media, to buy a decent grow light. all veggies that are not direct seeded will produce starts from seed in 6-8 weeks in cell trays, that then are planted out. People that dont use real fertilizer--that was me in the past--think that veggies need to be stepped up to improve growth, when the seedlings languish without fertilizer or required amount of light. fool's gold.
      i've learnt the hard way that our time should not be treated as free, because we're supposedly avoiding some costs. turns out we waste our time and money not doing things right, looking to solve all the wrong problems that we impose on ourselves, based on mis-information readily spread.

    • @kevinrowbotham545
      @kevinrowbotham545 2 года назад

      Derrick, you make the best videos! I look forward to you experiments with soil blocks!

  • @daneekaplan4284
    @daneekaplan4284 3 года назад +51

    a rotery cutter, cutting mat and clear acrylic ruler used for quilting would be even faster.

    • @Killthebatsman
      @Killthebatsman 3 года назад

      Can you do a video on this?!

    • @jameskniskern2261
      @jameskniskern2261 3 года назад

      @@Killthebatsman There are hundreds of scrapbooking videos out there that demonstrate this method. Have fun! :)

    • @imawip
      @imawip 3 года назад

      Brilliant!

    • @jacquelinekastil
      @jacquelinekastil 3 года назад +2

      My thoughts exactly! A 6 x 24 ruler would make the cutting process fly by

    • @juliemilliron849
      @juliemilliron849 3 года назад

      I am a sewer and use a rotery cutter, mat and acrylic ruler and the method they have going with the grout line and wrapping paper cutter will definetly be faster. they don't have to line it up on a mat and the measurements, then line up the ruler to get a straight cut and then move the ruler to cut through the rest of the paper, because most sewers are not using that long of ruler for cutting. Just my opinion, but what you are doing is the fastest for cutting.

  • @PeterSedesse
    @PeterSedesse 3 года назад +38

    You missed one big advantage of paper pots over the cups. Less damage to roots.

    • @timan2039
      @timan2039 3 года назад

      I imagine the roots are less likely run in circles blocked by plastic and being square will help discourage this a bit more.

  • @rickdees251
    @rickdees251 3 года назад +18

    Yes, "Newspapers are printed with Ink!" The Ink is biodegradable.It's made with Mineral Oil which is biodegradable and carbon a soil booster. Google, " Carbon (C) is an important indicator of soil health and an integral part of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil". So use newspaper if you wish and you don't have to lose any sleep over it.

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад +5

      Thanks! I'll check that out!

    • @22jawky
      @22jawky 3 года назад

      Carbon is a hierarchy term, you can burn any toxin and it turns to carbon. And just because mineral oil is an ingredient doesnt mean that all the ingredients are magically safe.

    • @Serai3
      @Serai3 3 года назад +5

      @@22jawky Why don't you try reading the article cited instead of assuming it's wrong?

    • @22jawky
      @22jawky 3 года назад

      @@Serai3 its based on false pretenses, specifically the ones I mentioned.

    • @Serai3
      @Serai3 3 года назад +3

      @@22jawky And why should anyone believe you? You've presented no evidence at all other than your own opinion.

  • @cadeb5808
    @cadeb5808 3 года назад +13

    If I'm remembering this correctly newspaper's in the UK at least need to be non toxic because poeple kept using them to wrap fish and chips

  • @dm4859
    @dm4859 3 года назад +3

    I'd like to see someone address how long you can keep seedlings in the paper pots before planting outdoors and how they would handle watering. I realize putting them in with some well-moisturized soil at first is important, but if you need to water again before you plant outside (or 2 or 3 times, etc.), how do they hold up?

  • @laurelcook9078
    @laurelcook9078 3 года назад +6

    Only issue is idk if I can cut that much paper. I usually just plant my stuff in garbage I find in the woods. People leave cans, bottles, and bowls behind so I just snatch them up and go plant my stuff in them.

  • @keithcooper3159
    @keithcooper3159 3 года назад +25

    I’ve been using soil blocks for 3 years now and they work great! No paper no plastic straight into the ground

    • @rogerclarke7407
      @rogerclarke7407 3 года назад

      I've seen the soil block maker on the red garden channel, but he got his used,so couldn't give any info on how to get one. Where did you get yours?

    • @nurserachel559
      @nurserachel559 3 года назад

      @Roger Clarke Johnny's Seeds carries soil blockers. Soil blocks work very well and they are available in varying sizes.

    • @rogerclarke7407
      @rogerclarke7407 3 года назад

      @@nurserachel559 hanks

    • @rogerclarke7407
      @rogerclarke7407 3 года назад +1

      @@nurserachel559 Thanks

  • @donlussi2424
    @donlussi2424 3 года назад +19

    You have a great talent for making videos and doing instructions. Awesome job!

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад

      Thank you so much Donna. I really appreciate that!

  • @zelphiaellerson6283
    @zelphiaellerson6283 3 года назад +8

    I realized plants in paper pot needed more water (not a current problem in my area). You must absolutely completely bury the pot, or it will continue to wick moisture.

  • @nefariousyawn
    @nefariousyawn 3 года назад +53

    I'm definitely doing this. I'm really impressed that you have time to make such quality videos in addition to all the work you do on your land. Thanks for sharing!

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад +10

      Thanks so much Tucker! I really appreciate that!
      They take so much work, but luckily, I absolutely LOVE making them, so it's always worth it. :)

    • @jhlandco
      @jhlandco 3 года назад +1

      @@BackToReality I agree with Tucker Southard, very impressive and great videos! I too will start making our pots from paper. Just a thought, you would also be very successful at reading books for audible.

  • @vIBEDoUT-Channel
    @vIBEDoUT-Channel 3 года назад +13

    I love biodegradable stuff!
    #plasticfree

    • @sailingsolar
      @sailingsolar 3 года назад +1

      Seeds are biodegradable. So are you!

  • @theosrubegoldberg9660
    @theosrubegoldberg9660 2 года назад +6

    Perfect! I had some brown paper bags from the grocery store that are 18" tall and 12" wide and the sides are about 6.5", so from one bag I can easily make 6 paper pots

  • @GregLum
    @GregLum 3 года назад +8

    Maybe someone already mentioned this, but I found it helpful to fold and unfold where I would later fold it down the top edge so that the crease would help fold that top edge/hem in.

  • @SJLamb-te3dt
    @SJLamb-te3dt 3 года назад +9

    I did this, it worked pretty great! I am glad for the square shape that fits well in my water catching tray. Instead of using a wood block I used a plastic seedling pot from last year and just made a lot of identical ones out of paper. They weren’t all pretty but the plants didn’t seem to care.

  • @cassieoz1702
    @cassieoz1702 3 года назад +7

    I've had no success with roots growing through the sides so I always open the bottom when planting into the ground

  • @steveday4797
    @steveday4797 3 года назад +7

    Not that I would ever condone any naughtyness but a trip to ikea would possibly supply a nice load of brown paper 😉

  • @slaplapdog
    @slaplapdog 3 года назад +10

    This could be a solution for selling starts!

  • @dilaur2983
    @dilaur2983 3 года назад +3

    I have been making pots out of newspapers for about 4 years. I found that the pots dried out quickly so I recycled some plastic and wrapped it around the outside edge of all of the pots (not individually) in the tray and that seemed to help. The pots on the inside of the tray seemed to allow the moisture to pass around freely but the outside edge did not dry out. This year I have been inserting the pots inside an old plastic bag that I have laid in the tray and then rolling it up the sides to the top of the pots. I then tied a string around to hold it in place and it seems to be working as well.

  • @eugeniamartin712
    @eugeniamartin712 3 года назад +10

    The only OTHER gardening channel I watch --Korean Gardener--shows how to make small square seed pots from toilet paper rolls & paper towel rolls. Great ideas here !!!

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад +5

      Thanks Eugenia, we'll check out their channel!
      We're currently saving our toilet paper rolls, in hopes of trying a few of these this spring! :)

    • @danielschneider1504
      @danielschneider1504 3 года назад +4

      @@BackToReality I've tried those a number of times, and for me they've never really worked. They don't really break down in the soil, and the cardboard is too thick for the roots to push through, so the roots get really constricted during the growing season, but I found that it's almost impossible to remove the plant from the pot before planting without destroying the root ball, since they're so small that the seedlings have to be so young when it's time to transplant that there aren't really enough roots to hold the soil together, especially as it takes a fair amount of effort to get the plants out of the pot

    • @pyramidion5911
      @pyramidion5911 3 года назад +1

      @@BackToReality Copy pasted from a post by Chris Forbes on linkedin: The Toilet Paper Encyclopedia explains, “Many pulp and paper mills use chlorine-based chemicals to bleach pulp white. These chemicals react with organic molecules in the wood and other fibers to create many toxic byproducts, including dioxin. Chlorinated toilet paper contains the highest amount of furans out of all cosmetic tissues… Dioxin, a bleaching byproduct, is one of the most toxic human-made chemicals. Once released into the environment, it is persistent because natural bacteria cannot effectively break it down. ‘Dioxin’ is often used as a catchall term for three acutely toxic chemical groups: true dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).”

    • @pyramidion5911
      @pyramidion5911 3 года назад

      @@BackToReality be very careful about which toilet paper you use if you do proceed with this as recycled toilet paper may be processed with harmful chemicals as well.

  • @TauhidAhmad
    @TauhidAhmad 3 года назад +9

    Love your videos ,please make more frequent videos if possible :)

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад +3

      Thank so much! I'm trying to make them more frequent. They just tend to take so much time. But I'm still working on it ;)

  • @Herschel1738
    @Herschel1738 3 года назад +19

    I might add try one more step to your assembly line - pre-crease the inch at top edge before you "roll" the box to make it easier to fold it down.
    And if you want to use a little glue, use a glue stick. They are non-toxic (because there is always some kid who eats the paste in every kindergarten class); and water soluble.

    • @cuznclive2236
      @cuznclive2236 2 года назад +1

      "...pre-crease the inch at top edge before you "roll" the box to make it easier to fold it down."
      From this, they/we could use the tile floor as a layout table and pre-crease with straight edges to fabricate the planters without using a wood block. Background for this comes from years of fabricating racecars; there's so much redundancy within the inner-workings to build a finished, racecar-looking, product that processes become mind numbing. Every shortcut that does not diminish quality is quality.

  • @lb476
    @lb476 Год назад +2

    The Pandemic hit, i lived alone. I was going crazy. Stores running out of food, so I start thinking about the old garden where I use to grow food for years.
    I found this old seed box full of a variety of seeds, but they were from 2012 and older. At this point I longed to do something besides worry if I would die of Covid-19.
    I was thrilled to be a pack rat. I looked around my yard for old supplies I purchased three years earlier but never used. I found new bags of manure and fertilizer...YES!
    As I opened up boxes in my garage I found everything I needed, but no seedling cups. To my surprise, I found paper towel rolls which I save for another craft project. Then something shocking...toilet paper rolls? Hey...paper cups!
    I reused a shipping bag, slipped it over a cardboard box. I cut these paper rolls all the same height. Then filled them with potting soil which wasn't perfect but who cares, I wanted to grow food.
    Those seeds loved it, and my garden turned out to feed me and a few family members who couldn't believe how big my tomatoes were.
    I learned that you can use any non printed paper to make soil pots. I'm still doing this three years later.

  • @jmarsellis
    @jmarsellis 3 года назад +3

    Thanks for the video. I just made something similar out of brown grocery bags and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide (for the block). The bags were only 17 inches when cut open and the peroxide bottle doesn’t have sharp edges but it is 3x3 but it seems to work ok. I use soil blocks for most of my transplants but needed something bigger and biodegradable for squash and pumpkins.

    • @pixievincent2478
      @pixievincent2478 Год назад

      How did the brown grocery bags work at not falling apart? I have a ton of those hanging around and it sounds like a great plan. I also love the peroxide bottle idea!

    • @jmarsellis
      @jmarsellis Год назад +1

      They worked well enough for the most part, a few didn’t make it until transplant time but there was still enough structure I could scoop the plants up and transplant them from the tray.

  • @laurieanne9712
    @laurieanne9712 3 года назад +18

    Our local Lowe's has an out back rack where you can give/take your planting pots, cans, & trays--yay!

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад +6

      Oh wow, that's awesome! We'll have to check that out. Thanks for the tip!

    • @dn744
      @dn744 3 года назад +2

      That's great. More should do this.

  • @Aelanna
    @Aelanna 3 года назад +1

    How well did these break down once in the garden? I tried compostable peat pots one year only to find out they broke down very little and held my plants captive in the garden bed. It took 2 or 3 seasons for them to fully break down.

  • @Entertainingfictionnovels
    @Entertainingfictionnovels 3 года назад +2

    Core of toilet rolls. Stuff one end with newspaper (not glossy ) and add your growing mix . Set upright in trays that 24 cans of soft drinks come ( they are plastic covered). If you don't drink soft drinks ^packs of beer carry out containers do almost as well. Been doing this for many years - it works and is FREE

  • @tissuepaper9962
    @tissuepaper9962 3 года назад +3

    You could take a bandsaw through that 36" wide roll to get two 18" wide rolls.

  • @henrywilliams1965
    @henrywilliams1965 3 года назад +3

    Tried this as well as toilet paper rolls. Had a huge issue with fungus so ill stick to plastic from now on.

  • @susanb4816
    @susanb4816 3 года назад +5

    to simplify even more, use brown paper bags from 100% recycled paper, available from your local retail supply wholesaler or on line. you can buy any size bags, from teeny to huge, they are gummed with corn syrup glue, so no worries, no origami

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад +2

      Oh my goodness, this is a GREAT idea! My only concern was the glue, and you answered that too! Thanks!

    • @Serai3
      @Serai3 3 года назад

      @@BackToReality Buying new bags is not environmentally conscious.

    • @lightdark00
      @lightdark00 3 года назад

      Just make sure they aren't wet-strength bags.

    • @bellydancingdog
      @bellydancingdog 3 года назад

      @@Serai3 if their cheaper than the paper rolls they are buying then it is, it's very unlikely they will shop enough to save up enough paper bags, not to mention chemicals and perhaps other food stuff could get onto used bags and cause issues for the plants.

  • @peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920
    @peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920 3 года назад +3

    Oh my God, you two are brilliant!
    I just make news paper pots. I'm going to give Brown paper pots a try.
    I just started a RUclips channel for easy gardening tips. I'm 70 and have been Gardening for over 50 years. I find amazing how many "old" tips are becoming new again. I think
    Garden Smarter Not Harder is a game changer!
    Happy Gardening and I wish you great success 👩‍🌾👍

  • @Killthebatsman
    @Killthebatsman 3 года назад +1

    Have you tried to take your 3 foot paper roll to your miter saw and just chopping the whole roll in half? That’s worked for me before with a fine tooth blade on the miter saw!

  • @RobinPortnoff
    @RobinPortnoff 3 года назад +3

    Beware of mold when using paper, I had a bad experience when I had to throw away many seedlings because of this.

    • @Jane-ez7yl
      @Jane-ez7yl 3 года назад +1

      Same here I switch to recycling milk cartons , half pint or pints best size I save every year but also get from schools or any institution has lunch programs

  • @crazzie7
    @crazzie7 3 года назад +4

    Incredibly good info! I was just looking to buy some biodegradable pots for my 2nd stage seedlings. You guys are so clever! Hope you’re both well! ✌️

  • @kathrynhobbs8874
    @kathrynhobbs8874 Год назад +1

    That Mr Amazon sends me masses of paper in a lovely box to store the pots in, around every purchase…..thus justifying my online shopping 😊

  • @VioletFinds...
    @VioletFinds... 7 месяцев назад +2

    Very useful. I have been toying with biodegradable plant pots, I saw loo rolls, wetting paper to make paper mache. This is the best so far . I have an old roll of lining paper I am going to use. I find this so useful💜

  • @johnnycruiser2846
    @johnnycruiser2846 3 года назад +5

    I feel so good and proud after watching this episode. Everything went so well.

  • @jhuncharlespaulha3505
    @jhuncharlespaulha3505 3 года назад +1

    Nice idea! Here in the Philippines we use banana leaf because we have so many banana tree

  • @frankfreeman2012
    @frankfreeman2012 3 года назад +1

    I don't know if'n this wuld work as well as craft paper, but what about paper grocery bags? Do y'all still have those in the Canada?

  • @rogerclarke7407
    @rogerclarke7407 3 года назад +1

    As someone who lived 5 miles from a papermill, paper is not environmentally friendly.

  • @BloodAsp
    @BloodAsp 3 года назад +15

    Germination Station: queues 70's porno music.

  • @46positivity
    @46positivity 3 года назад +1

    I stopped putting bottoms on mine. I put a couple layers of paper in the bottom of the tray to hold the seed starter in place. As the plants grow, the roots hold the soil together enough so that you don't need a bottom to hold the soil together when you transplant. This method significantly reduces the time it takes to make the seed cups.
    Also, use a straight edge and a box cutter (razor knife) to cut the paper. Much faster than scissors.

    • @46positivity
      @46positivity 3 года назад +1

      For your straightedge: if you rip a board the width you need, you don't even have to measure the paper. Just place one edge of your board along the edge of the paper, and cut along the opposite edge. Keep moving the straightedge into position and cut. Reposition and cut. Reposition and cut. No need to measure.

  • @peggybreaux8973
    @peggybreaux8973 3 года назад +3

    My worms love shredded paper an cardboard.

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад +2

      Ours seem to, too! :)

    • @johndanovich985
      @johndanovich985 3 года назад +1

      Worms like leaf mold, kitchen scraps and urine too. My leaf pile has 350 bags of leaves from the fall.

    • @peggybreaux8973
      @peggybreaux8973 3 года назад

      @@johndanovich985 o yes , I use it all.

    • @blackhorsesweet
      @blackhorsesweet 3 года назад

      I used to have a worm farm for fishing.🪱

    • @itsnotme3882
      @itsnotme3882 3 года назад +1

      @@blackhorsesweet i did too. But when I was 8 years old I forgot about it and all the worms died because it dried up....so I tried to flush it down the toilet and ruined the plumbing. My mom still reminds me of the incident and tells the story of just how much the bill was most every Christmas

  • @user-vn7ce5ig1z
    @user-vn7ce5ig1z 3 года назад +2

    My mother always just used those recycled-paper 36-egg trays. I'm not sure where she got them, I think she just asked the grocery store for them. 🤔 Either way, they're about the right size for most seedlings, they can be cut as needed, they're already recycled and decompose pretty quickly so you can just stick them in the ground, they come 36 cups per tray (though thanks to shrinkflation, it's now down to 30 😠), and they are cheap or even free. They're pretty great. 😉 Egg-cartons work too.

  • @sailingsolar
    @sailingsolar 3 года назад +3

    Look at all those seed packs. Makes me wonder ,, how many years are seeds still viable and are those going to be used before the are no longer viable??

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад +3

      Great question!
      Many of our seed packets have expiry dates listed, and most are good for 2 or 3 years max. Luckily, we did use most of them last year.

    • @project1003
      @project1003 3 года назад +5

      While it is best to use them when you buy them, most seeds will stay viable for a few years, depending on storage conditions. Ideally you keep them in a low humidity, low temperature, low light environment.
      Oh, and that really isn't a lot of seeds. The guy I go to for gardening advice grows at least 10 varieties of tomatoes along with another 15-20 veggies and more herbs/flowers/ornamentals than I can count. All on less than 1/3 of an acre in suburbia. Old Italian guys are a friggin' treasure of gardening advice!

  • @trollforge
    @trollforge 3 года назад +2

    I've been playing with paper pots on and off for 30 years,,, Most of the detractors live in countries where vegetable inks have not been mandatory since the 80s... I like the square pot Idea! And I have a roll or 2 of that floor runner paper in the garage...

  • @Serai3
    @Serai3 3 года назад +1

    Don't the pots fall apart from watering the seedlings?

  • @Nifty-Stuff
    @Nifty-Stuff 3 года назад +3

    Brilliant video as always! You do such a great job with the content, narration, and animation / editing. Please keep up the great work!!!

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад +1

      Thanks so much Rob, I really appreciate that!

  • @dn744
    @dn744 3 года назад +1

    Anyway to save helps. The paper would be recycled Anyway, where plastic isn't.

  • @suffolkshepherd
    @suffolkshepherd 3 года назад +2

    Extremely helpful. Thanks for perfecting this and then sharing. Or progressing it and then sharing. I was searching for some way to replace peat pots and peat tablets. The peat pots wick out the moisture and dry out the plants after transplanting, the peat tablets dry out and also have netting that roots dont get through, nor can I even tear it off. I am ready to assemble these!! These are my new go to.

  • @Mister.Doodler
    @Mister.Doodler 3 года назад +1

    Loved this ... In Mumbai we have biodegradable and edible tea cups #TrashToTrove

    • @BackToReality
      @BackToReality  3 года назад

      Biodegradable AND eatable?! Ok, that is super cool. I'll have to look them up.
      Ummm, out of curiosity, how do they taste? lol

    • @Mister.Doodler
      @Mister.Doodler 3 года назад

      @@BackToReality they taste just like icecream cones. I will take a pic and try and share with you next. But I liked ur idea too and gonna do the same for my garden

  • @VeganDoris
    @VeganDoris 3 года назад +2

    This is fantastic! Thank you! I’m not planting as many seedlings as you, so I’m just going to re-use the brown paper bags I’ve been saving.

  • @WriterJoshua
    @WriterJoshua 17 часов назад

    While we’re on the subject, do you have any ideas for a more sustainable tray?

  • @Flowergurl2000
    @Flowergurl2000 3 года назад +2

    My favorite seedling paper pots were egg shell boxes and use eggs shells to start them inside also! 18 plant boxes a week in this house!!!

  • @WanieB
    @WanieB 3 года назад +2

    That design is great. At first they look quite large compared to a store bought seed starter kit but I think that is better as the seeds appear to be able to develop a nice root structure in the larger space to be healthier and more established until a good time to plant them. I will be trying your method this spring, thanks for the tips and video. Not to mention it gives you something to do while you wait on planting time and gets ya a little excited about planting.

  • @JeremyDawkins-m1u
    @JeremyDawkins-m1u 7 месяцев назад

    I'm sure that Back to Reality and others know all about soil blocks (random quote: "The plant establishes itself more quickly due to the ... air pruning of the roots.") I've used them quite a lot. Any comments on soil blocking?

  • @MS-te3ob
    @MS-te3ob 3 года назад +2

    I absolutely love your videos. I live in an apartment with a very small back porch, but I am going to try several paper pots....if not veggies then flowers. I miss having a garden.....thanks for enjoyable, enlightening and helpful videos.

  • @ViiveKaiRebane
    @ViiveKaiRebane 3 года назад +2

    I love how you make the nature and environment he first priority! And wow your germination station is huge!!!

  • @ujangzein7
    @ujangzein7 3 года назад

    Tumbas cup paper lakyo rampung.
    Klo ada yang ribet, ngapain cari yg mudah.

  • @michaelscott356
    @michaelscott356 Год назад

    2. How many ACRES OF FARMLAND do you folks have, anyway?
    Your seedling grow op looks like it would create enough plants for ten households!

  • @patriciatratebas9220
    @patriciatratebas9220 3 года назад +1

    This is great! I love your thoroughness to detail. I want a system to grow at scale while being as minimal in plastic use as possible & this ticks all the boxes. Mahalo (Thanks) from Hawaiʻi island. (we really care about not putting more plastic into our ocean!)

  • @cheongyei
    @cheongyei 3 года назад

    small kraft bags are available from U-Line.... A #1 bag is 3.5x2.4 inch footprint and 6.8 inch tall. just open the bag, fold in the edges for strength. Four cents each

  • @michaelwayne6325
    @michaelwayne6325 2 года назад +2

    You guys have improved my garden and gardening skills by leaps and bounds. I appreciate the time you guys take to educate us. Thank you

  • @lindabajare2902
    @lindabajare2902 Год назад

    Thanks for the video. I used old invoice paper, put the paper pots together (4x6) in bigger plate, and now I have much fungus growing in every free space between the pots. :( Do you not have any problems with rotting paper?