Recycle and Plant.......Lorax Approved!

This blog post will offer some planting ideas for starting seeds using containers that you would normally throw away.

This is a great way to teach young children about recycling.

Burpee Seed Co. offers organic seeds designed to be planted in containers. Look for the flower pot on the bottom of the packet.

Families attending Parent-Child Outreach group time are growing carrots in 2 liter drink bottles using organic seeds. According to the seed packet our carrots should be ready to harvest in 68 days.

In addition to growing carrots, families will be planting mint, a bean stalk and a swimming pool salad garden. Also we will be learning about composting using our friend the earth worm.

Follow our blog each week to watch our progress and get ideas for your own Lorax approved garden!

Listed below are some examples of recycling to plant:

Save those egg shells. When the seed becomes a seedling, gently crack the shell for drainage and plant in the ground. Cover the shell lightly with soil.

Lemons make great vessels for holding small amounts of soil. Once the green leaves appear place the lemon in the ground and cover lightly with soil.

Use toliet paper or paper towel rolls for planting. Cut rolls into 3-4 inch tubes . Place in a container to catch water run off. Fill tubes with seed starter soil and plant the seeds. When the green seedling appears, place the tube in the ground. Cover lightly with soil.

Newspaper planting cups. Take a 3-4 0z plastic cup and wrap newspaper around it securing the sides and bottom with tape. Slide the cup out from the newspaper and you have another container in which to plant. Place newspaper cups in a plastic tub to catch water run off because they will leak. When the plant appears you can place the newspaper cup into the ground.

Milk Carton Jugs are great for starting seedlings but they also make great containers to display and grow blooming plants. Make drainage holes in the bottom. Check daily to see if the plant needs watering. Plastic milk jugs will retain heat and the soil will become dry.

Paint and add a ribbon to the handle.

As whimsical as all Dr Seuss tales are , The Lorax " speaks for the trees" and advocates recycling and conservation. Find out all the great ways to conserve and recycle by vsiting www.seussville.com/loraxproject