We Made Seedling Starter Pots from Newspaper

You may remember (that is, if there are actually, factually people out there reading this) reading my blog of  Jan. 6th that included a link to a video about making starter pots out of newspaper.  If you've tried this, you no doubt have made some adjustments to the procedure.  We made our first pots last night, and here's how we changed the process:

1. I thought that using a whole sheet of newspaper was too much...too much newspaper, more difficult to fold into the glass, plus I hoped that using less might make it easier to break down in the soil so that we could just plant the seedling pot and all instead of removing it from the pot.  I like to jostle the seedlings as little as possible! So I started with half a sheet of newspaper. 
2. Then I was folding it into thirds (again, less newspaper on the sides, bottom) rather than half and then half again, so that I could have a little taller pot to start out with.  I can also, then, have a little more length at the bottom so that I'm sure to completely cover the bottom and not have soil drop out.
3.  I folded the top over a little, like 1/2 an inch or so, thinking that it will hold it all together a little better.
4.  Finally, I used a jar to roll the newspaper up with because I don't have a straight sided drinking glass and didn't want to go buy one.  I also used a slightly smaller jar to mash down into the pot to flatten the bottom better.
5.  Into the soil that we fill each pot with, we'll be mixing in our home made compost so that we really give our seeds a great medium to start in.  I'm also planning on using a very low dose of BiOWiSH-Aqua™ on a control group of seedlings once they sprout to see what difference it will make on their rate of growth and production.  The BiOWiSH Technologies folks have done a study on hydroponically grown lettuce and BiOWiSH-Aqua™ with great results.
6. I know they recommended, in the video, removing the pot before planting.  Hubby says the pots will break down "in no time".  I'm alittle worried about stunting the growth by making it more difficult for the roots to spread out into the garden soil.  I'm thinking that putting slits into the newspaper every 1/2 inch or so will reduce the effort that the roots have to go through to break out of their pots.  We may have a control group for this, as well.

We're ready with our pots, and the trays that they'll set in.  Hubby is online right now ordering our seeds.  I'm even going to start my impatients from seed.  I never have before, but he has, so I'm willing to give it the college try.  I figure I'll save about $50 on the impatients alone.  I hope it works, because my front yard, raised bed for impatients next to my porch are a highlight of my summer! 

We have a garden window in our kitchen made for plants.  It has traditionally housed only succulents and cacti, because it faces south and I have had a challenge keeping greenery watered enough.  With hubby's help and extra care, we've added a potted oregano plant that has been doing just fine. Into this window, we'll be putting 4 trays of starter pots (28 pots in each tray).  Another 4 trays (containing the same number of pots) will go under a grow light in the garage. Wish us luck.  I have my mouth all set for those vegies!
Happy Composting!