Easy to Make, Seed Starter Pots from Cardboard Cores. And a tip or two...

We are getting a head start on a few gardening chores while we wait out this cold front! One task we accomplished was making Seed Starter Pots from Cardboard Cores. The first thing I need to say about this process is, I will never throw a cardboard core away, ever again! Come and take a look...

East Texas can still be cold or down right chilly even in February! 

So cold that there is a strong possibility that no outside work gets done. With that said, it was still mandatory that a coat of paint made it onto the shop doors.  I could be wrong, but I am not certain they could have taken another rain storm and survived intact, as they were! 

While I continue to work on my gardening skills, we also have plans for a few more garden projects. Because gardening of any kind is fun and who doesn't enjoy being able to feed their family fresh, and grown by you, food? Even if it is only a tomato plant or a small bed of strawberries that you have room for. I find that February really sets the gardening bug free, after a super cold January. And since spring will be here before we know it, if I don't get busy, we won't be ready...

Here are a few of our current ongoing projects:

Lots of wildflowers in the side yard, for the birds. Actually this is on repeat, we are still learning to successfully plant wildflowers here in Texas. So far wildflowers have not taken to our side yard as we would like them to be. How would we like them to be? Kind of like a self seeding meadow, where the birds visit. 

Plant more Strawberries. Because nothing is better than strawberries from your own yard! Just so you know, I need to really build on my strawberry growing skills. So far, they are nothing to write home about, LOL. 

And lots of potatoes, I will be putting more seed potatoes to "chit" in the next day or so. As well as start some sweet potato slips. Potato towers did not work for me, I am returning to traditional planting methods. 

Along with more hugelkultur garden beds in what is turning into a very nice garden space for the years ahead. 

And learn pruning skills for the blueberries! We were successful in building a net covered barrier for the blueberries last year. So we actually got a few quarts of blueberries harvested! Now to improve harvest amounts with properly pruned bushes. 

But first things first, regarding seed starting, 

we decided to make seed starting pots for germination. Including some for the elusive wildflower seeds! Because scattering wildflower seeds has not worked! I am thinking that wildflower seeds are quite delicious to the birds, most likely were eaten (again?) before they could germinate. Established plants just might offer a fighting chance. 

These easy to make seed starter pots are a frugal choice for any seed that you want or need to get a head start on, when growing your garden. Such as tomatoes, peppers, anything really. Most gardeners have been working on and perfecting their gardening skills along with their growing methods for years. And for many that includes starting seeds indoors. 

This year when I was germinating some loofah seeds, I realized that while the bottom fold would be good for many different seeds, an open bottom would work quite well for larger seeds with more roots forming. Plus by using an open bottom seed pot, you simply set it in the garden spot you want it in, and cover it up. Easy Peasy! 

One other piece of information about cardboard cores. 

I have noticed that often times the longer carboard cores from a roll of paper towels, is thinner and easier to work with. Especially when folding in the bottom. While the smaller cardboard cores from toilet paper are often made of heavier cardboard layers. 

So let's get started...

You will want to gather up the following materials:

Cardboard cores, both toilet paper cores and paper towel cores work. 

Plastic mushroom boxes, the large ones from Costco are my favorite, but smaller ones work just as well. The black color will absorb heat on a chilly day. 

Salad Mix Containers, the clear ones with a hinged or closable lid are nice!

Scissors.

Plastic wrap, if using mushroom boxes.

Seeds of choice.

Water. You can drop it from your fingertips or use a spray bottle.

Flatten the core, and cut into half. Cut four slits evenly around the cut edge. Fold the four flaps inward. 

Fill the container with the seed starter pots. 

Add soil, top with a seed or two, mist generously with water and cover. 

You can place the filled seed pots in a sunny window. 

Or if window space is limited, place in any sunny warm area and let the magic happen! 

Remember to mist with water daily. 

When you are ready to plant the little pots in your garden area, do remember this final but very important trick! 

Unfold the bottom flaps, before planting, so that the roots of the plants do not struggle to take hold. While the roots will eventually work their way through the bottom of a toilet paper tube starter pot or even a peat cup starter pot, I did notice last year, having to do so, makes the plant work harder than it needs to...

This is the set up for my loofah seeds, which seem to take a long time to germinate when planted directly in the garden. I decided that I would use an open bottom tube pot for these larger seeds. I happened to have this clean plastic tool box, with a missing latch, the perfect greenhouse for the larger seed pots!

Happy seed starting! 

THIS POST UPDATED: 02.12.2026

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