Make your own eco-seedling

When a seedling is replanted, its roots are disturbed when the container it’s been growing in is removed and they’re exposed to sunlight, and side roots may break off as soil falls off the root ball. The use of eco-pots is a great way to eliminate this “root shock”. Seedlings can be transplanted, eco-pot and all, in the veggie patch – because wet newspaper is soft and allows the roots to grow straight through the paper into the surrounding soil. It also attracts earthworms, which love eating newspaper. While the worms biodegrade the paper, their “worm tea” helps to fertilise the seedlings.

You need

• newspaper • an empty can (or wine bottle)

This is how

Fold a sheet of newspaper lengthwise into 4 equal parts and tear into 4 strips. Fold a 3cm flap along one side of each strip, then unfold and smooth down again. Place a can on its side, ¾ of the way down the width of a paper strip, with the flap at the top, and leaving about 5cm extending below the bottom of the can. Roll the can along the strip, wrapping the paper around it. Once the bottom is folded flat, turn the can upright and press down hard, twisting and squashing it to compact the paper along the bottom. Slowly slide the can out of the cylinder of newspaper and carefully fold the 3cm flap down inside the eco-pot to act as a rim that reinforces the edges. Repeat with the other strips of paper.

PLANT

Fill the pots with sowing potting mix (instructions opposite) and push 3-4 seeds 1cm deep into the potting mix. Water every 2-3 days. Seeds have germination rates of 60%-90%, so if you plant a few seeds in each pot you’ll be assured of at least one seedling growing.