by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: April 13, 2009

A creative person can come up with a multitude of ways to turn ordinary every day objects into attractive and one of a kind planters. The most important thing to consider is whether or not the container has proper drainage. When painting or staining a planter or container, use paints and stains that won't leech toxins into the soil. Also use waterproof finishes.

It is also possible to use recyclable materials to create seed starting pots that are biodegradable and that can be planted directly into container or the ground.

NEWSPAPER SEED STARTING POTS

Take black and white sheets of newspaper because the black ink is a soy based ink. Color inks are made from petroleum products, and that will leech toxins into the ground and harm plants and the soil. Fold the newpaper sheet in half lengthwise and then fold the first lengthwise half in half again. Using a cup or anything other round flat bottomed object, starting at one end of the newspaper, roll the paper around the cup until the entire sheet of paper has been folded into a circle.

Remove the glass from the partial pot and at one end of what looks like a newspaper tube, either push the ends inward or fold them in. Then take the flat bottomed glass and put it back into the tube so that the bottom of the glass is at the bottom end of the pot. Then push the glass down on a table or other flat surface so that the pushed in or folded in ends are flattened. If possible, tuck the folded ends in between the folds of the newspaper.

TOILET PAPER, PAPER TOWEL OR CARDBOARD TUBES

Any type of cardboard tube can be turned into a seed starting pot. Take the tube and cut around the circumference so that a toilet paper roll now has two halves. Larger tubes can be divided into three or four parts. Now flatten the tube so that it looks like a square rather than a round tube. While it is lying flat, make three or four vertical cuts at equal intervals, making sure not to make the cut too long. These cuts will make it possible to create a bottom for each pot.

First fold each of the sections backwards, making a crease at the bottom. Fold forwards and again make the crease. The idea is to make the cardboard flexible enough that it can easily be folded inward to make the bottom of the pot. Tuck each of the folds into the other so the bottom is secure. This will eliminate the need to use any type of tape. Roll the tube around to return it to the round shape.

EGG SHELLS

We've all seen the expensive little kits that are sold with seeds for herbs or

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