This Week: Rolled Newspaper Pots

Spring started March 20! While the temperatures and weather conditions outside may not be suitable for seeds yet, now is the perfect time to start some of your summer vegetables indoors!

Materials: Scissors Newspapers Small can (6oz tomato paste can, for example) Soil Seeds

Step 1 - Cut Cut the newspaper into long strips that are at least 1 inch taller than your can.  You’ll want your strips long enough to wrap around the can twice.  You can also use multiple strips per pot to make it sturdier!

Step 2 – Wrap Roll the can along the newspaper strips until it’s wrapped at least twice.  Make sure there is about an inch of newspaper hanging off the bottom of the can!

Step 3 - Push Push and fold the edges of the newspaper down over the can and work your way around until all the edges are folded over. Increase the sturdiness of the pot by pushing the can on a firm surface to create a better seam on the bottom edge.

Step 4 – Remove Remove the can from the wrapped newspaper.

Step 5 – Fill To use the pot, fill it to the top with soil. The newspaper wicks water and dries fairly quickly, so filling it fully with soil helps retain moisture.  he soil also will make the newspaper pot more stable and sturdy!

Step 6 – Seed Once your pot is full of soil, add a vegetable seed!  Tomato plants can be started early, as can other warm season crops like beans, squash, melons, cucumbers, and eggplant!  Cool season crops like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, and brussels sprouts also benefit from an early start indoors.

Step 7 – Water and Wait Water your seeds carefully and monitor daily. Newspaper pots dry out faster than plastic, but do not over water.  The pots should last about a month before breaking down – though if you keep the bottom of the pots in water they’ll break down much too fast.  When the danger of frost has passed outside, you can plant these pots directly in the garden!

MARCH CHILDREN'S EDUCATION CLASSES One of the most important aspects of plant growth is soil. Learn all about soil, including structure and what lives in soil that helps plants grow! Learn how soil is created, through geologic processes. Take home a crystallization experiment! Each class is limited to 10 participants per group. Only one group per session. Cost: $50/group Classes held rain/shine/snow & include outdoor educational walk. Days: Thursday or Friday option Times: 10:00 am or 1:00 pm option. Masks and social distancing required!

March Adult Education Terrarium Make-at-home Kit Learn about and make a beautiful terrarium at home. All supplies provided for a healthy plantscape, including miniature plants, gravel, soil, soil amendments, and a container! Cost: $20/members $25 non-members

TAKE-HOME KIT PICK UP TIMES ON OUR WEBSITE MASKS & SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRED Registration/information for all walks and drive through kits here, or by calling 414-525-5653 or 414-525-5659

BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS UPDATE The Gardens are currently closed, but we are excited to announce that the Gardens and the FBBG Gift Shop will open on Saturday, May 1! The Education and Visitor Center is open. Hours are 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MASKS ARE REQUIRED!

FBBG Memberships: Great All Year Round! All FBBG members receive: Unlimited access to the Gardens A 10% discount in Nell's Garden Cafe' Discounts on FBBG classes, special events and in our Gift Shop on select stock items. Free admission to over 300 AHS gardens nationwide... Including Chicago Botanic, Arizona's Desert Botanical Garden, Illinois' Morton Arboretum and the Florida Botanical Gardens! FBBG's In Season Newsletter Membership Appreciation Event...and more! MEMBER LEVELS: Individual $35 One Membership Admission Card & (1) One-time Guest Pass Individual +1 $50 Two Membership Admission Cards & (2) One-time Guest Passes Family $65 Two Membership Admission Cards - Good for two adults and three children under 17 & (3) One-time Guest Passes Donor level memberships are also available starting at $100. For more information, please call the FBBG office at 414-525-5653. Become a Member Now!