Hear what BreNDA, OUR rEFERENCE LIBRARIAN, HAS TO SAY ABOUT OUR NEW AND EXICTING UPCOMING SEED LIBRARY!
Hopefully, you have heard about the Syosset Library’s new seed library. We are very excited about this new ‘growth’ opportunity.
The Library will be providing seeds beginning in March (look at our website to see what seeds we have). They are FREE for Syosset patrons. You can take them home and start them either indoors or wait until the weather warms up.
I know, I know. It’s too cold to garden outside. It’s even too early to start seedlings indoors! You have looked at the seed catalogs and are eager to begin. Maybe you can’t get your fingers in the dirt yet. Here’s a craft idea for the these long, dark evenings. It will give you a head start for the gardening season.
You will need pots to start your seeds indoors. Look first to your recycle bin for containers!
Of course, you can reuse washed yogurt and other plastic containers. But here are some ideas to make on your own.
The easiest is made with toilet paper rolls. You can use them whole or cut them in half. Cut four ½” long slits around the bottom half; fold up those tabs like you are folding up a box. Put them in a disposable aluminum pan or a plastic box. Fill them with seed starting soil and add your seeds.
To make newspaper cylinder pots use a small tomato paste can. A full sheet from the New York Times or Newsday is about 22 inches long. Cut the page lengthwise about 1 ½- 2 Inches wider than your can.
Along one long edge fold down about ¼ inch. Open back up the paper. Starting at the short end place the can along the crease you made.
Wrap the paper loosely around the can as you roll up the length of paper. When it is rolled, take the hanging paper and fold it up to the bottom of the can.
Carefully push the can out of the rolled paper. Now take that top creased edge and fold it inside to make a collar. You can use other cans or glasses to make different size pots.
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You can put both of these types in a disposable aluminum pan or shallow plastic containers and water without getting your surface wet. These paper and cardboard pots can be planted right in the ground when the weather warms up. You can also carefully remove the “pot” and transplant your seedling.
Hints from my experience: don’t wrap the paper too tightly. You have to be able to slip the can out! Crease the paper well along the bottom and the top edges. It makes the pots more secure. I’ve found that it’s also better if the first fold includes the loose edge; it adds just a bit more stability. Remember you can adjust these after the can is removed. The newspaper is very forgiving. Don’t be tempted to use a double sheet of paper. I thought it would make a sturdier pot. But it is just too bulky to make firm creases. Also, when you transplant into the garden, the paper would take too long to decompose. When you do transplant into your garden, be sure to cover the entire cardboard or paper with soil. If any is sticking out of the ground, the moisture will be wicked from the plant.
Intrigued? Follow the seed library on social media! And watch our newsletter for upcoming events.
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