POTS MADE OF PAPER

It’s a great feeling when you know that something you’ve used to help your garden bloom will eventually rot away to nothing. Starting off seedlings in pots made of paper or coir (fibre from coconut husks) means that you can plant the growing plants directly into the soil, where the pots will biodegrade naturally within a few months.

Pallet wood planks Ruler Saw Palm sander or sandpaper Paddle drill bits, 25mm and 35mm or 38mm Drill driver with 2mm wood drill piece Wood glue 25mm nails and hammer Paintbrush Paint Black Sharpie Pencil Matt outdoor varnish

1

MEASURE AND CUT YOUR PLANKS The pink birdhouse is the most basic of the four houses. It is one plank deep and two planks wide. Measure 7.5cm for the plank width and cut two pieces of 15cm for the sides; four pieces of 16cm for the front and back; and two pieces of 14cm for the roof. Sand all the cut edges. 2

Lay two pieces flat for the back, two sides, and topped with the two pieces for the front. For the base, measure the internal dimensions (this should be 12.5x7.5cm) and cut a plank to fit.

3

In one of the front planks, drill a hole for the birds to enter the box using the paddle drill bit – the ideal entry hole is 38mm. In the front and back planks, pre-drill the holes for the nails with the 2mm drill bit to prevent the wood splitting. You need three per side, 1cm in from the edges.

4

Apply wood glue to the short sides of the base and attach the side pieces. Apply more glue and stick the front and back pieces in place, then nail together through the pre-drilled holes.

LAY OUT YOUR PIECES PRE-DRILL THE NAIL HOLES ASSEMBLE THE BOX