This morning I “made” a super simple, super quick DIY Propagator and I just HAD to share it with you. And then I thought, hang on a minute… all our seedling growing and gardening is thrifty and upcycled – we have newspaper seedling pots and loo roll seedling pots and juice carton pots. So, I brought them all together here for you. So here you go some thrifty gardening ideas for you! You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a pretty garden! In fact we have geart article for you on upcycled container gardens to check out!
The DIY Propagator
Seriously, it doesn’t get much simpler than this – you need two fruit punnets (ours happened to be from grapes). They usually already come with holes at the bottom for drainage. One was slightly larger than the other, I put the larger one at the top, so the plants have more room to grow. Simple, isn’t it? And it looks the part too. Will be doing LOTS of these next year!
The Toilet Paper Roll Planters
We love Toilet Paper Roll Crafts. This is another easy one – cute a Toilet Paper Roll in half and make cardboard tube planters. I squished in a little a strip of newspaper to help stop the heard from falling out and done! Technically you can plant these straight into the ground. I need to do this soon, as my tomato plants have slowed in growing a sign, that they are running out of space.
Newspaper Seedling Pots
We made these newspaper seedling pots EVERY year. Again, quick and easy. They have the advantage that they are bigger than the loo roll seedling pots, so your young plants can stay in it for longer. Our courgettes thrive in these. Again, you can plant these straight into the ground. Click through to my seedling pot video how to to see how easily they are made (do not be tempted to buy a “gadget” from the garden centre for these!). (See how we also sneaked in a little writing and reading practice!).
The Juice Carton Seedling Pots
AS part of this Gardening with kids post, we made mini journals to record our growing process… turning this into a botanical science experiment. But if you just want to make the juice carton seedling pots, remember to make some holes at the bottom for draining. They are great as, they don’t get soggy over time. To pop over and check out our Garden Journals (and how to make a mini book from one A4 sheet of paper with clever folding and cutting, no gluing!)
Container Garden
Finally, I had a fantastic Container Garden guest post from Thinly Spread a while back – this is perfect for when you are ready to transfer your seedling into more permanent containers. Great ideas from colanders to wellie boots.
Find out how to make these super easy Welly Planters!
And done. You have just embarked on your very thrifty garden plan!! Hooray.
Karen S says
April 14, 2013 at 4:24 pmBrilliant ideas 🙂
Red Ted Art says
April 14, 2013 at 6:31 pmThank you!
Matilda says
April 3, 2017 at 5:06 pmJust be careful if you use cardboard tubes for seedlings. I came home on a sunny afternoon to find the cardboard tubes had dried out and wilted the plants. Those I’d transplanted into similar sized plastic pots had retained their moisture
Red Ted Art says
April 5, 2017 at 1:51 pmThat is a very good point, they need more water for sure!
Sarah Midland says
April 15, 2013 at 2:26 pmAww these look fab, thanks for the tutorial. They would look great in our garden, especially that summer is coming (Hopeful :)).
Thanks
Sarah
Adele says
April 16, 2013 at 5:51 pmBrill ideas maggy thank you xxx
Sian says
April 17, 2013 at 6:25 amGreat idea for a tiny propagator : ) love the colanders too!
Peakle Pie says
April 29, 2013 at 8:13 amOoh I love these! Spring has just sprung here so we are behind with our planting! Will try these out this week – I’ve also got some ‘thrifty’ ones to share too! 🙂
Ashley says
April 30, 2013 at 11:47 amWe will have to try the TP rolls as we have run out of egg cartons! Thanks!
Red Ted Art says
April 30, 2013 at 12:43 pmPerfect!
Jennifer says
May 13, 2013 at 1:46 amVisiting from the Sunday Showcase. I’d love for you to share your family-friendly crafts and ideas at Monday Kid Corner at thejennyevolution.com. See you at the party!
Jennifer
Anya from Older Single Mum and The Healer says
February 18, 2014 at 5:43 pmYou are never less than brilliant. I LOVE these ideas. I have a big garden which is expensive to fill – and you just helped enormously, thank you 🙂
Red Ted Art says
February 18, 2014 at 7:37 pmAwww so pleased to be of assistance!
City Coastal Lifestyle says
February 18, 2014 at 7:45 pmI do the diy propogators every year, I collect plastic tubs much to DH’s annoyance 🙂 Love seeing little fingers planting, will be getting mine out there this year!
Janie Rinta says
March 18, 2018 at 6:35 pmI love upcycling but haven’t got into gardening yet……but these are great ideas 🙂 Hugs…Janie
Kelly says
July 10, 2018 at 12:05 pmMore great ideas from you, Maggy! I like your creativity!
Red Ted Art says
July 10, 2018 at 3:04 pmAwww thanks!