• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Budget-wise and Eco-friendly Seed Starting

Don’t let a tight budget stop you from starting seeds indoors.  Get creative and involve the whole family in the process.

Share or swap seeds.  Most packets have more seeds than one gardener needs.  Or offer to start seeds for your favorite gardener.  They may be willing to fund the experience in return for your time and effort raising transplants for you and them.

Recycle paper cups, yogurt containers, and fast food containers into seed-starting pots.  Just clean and punch holes in the bottom for drainage.

Or create your own pots from newspaper.  Fold squares of paper into pots using origami or roll strips of newspaper around a 2” diameter or bigger dowel rod, rolling pin or juice glass.  Fold up the bottom edge to form a bottom. Fill with a well-drained potting mix and set in a flat, tray or saucer.

A bit more information:  Don’t overlook all the pots, flats, and cell packs in your or your gardening friend’s garage.  Clean them before planting by immersing them in one part bleach and nine parts water.  Rinse with clear water and you are ready to plant.

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs 
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL

April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI

April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI

May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now

May 4, 2024
Garden U 2024 

New Richmond, WI
Register now

May 9, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

How to Plant Your Rain Garden
Register now

May 11, 2024

Ask The Plant Doctor Q & A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI

May 12, 2024
Ask The Plant Doctor Q & A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI

May 18, 2024
Ask The Plant Doctor Q & A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI

June 1, 2024
Selecting, Planting, Pruning and Caring for Hydrangeas
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI

June 5, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Under-Appreciated Pollinators
Register now

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win The Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide !

ENTER NOW