Make a Biodegradable Paper Planter 

Hi , 

This week, follow along with Alan from Hands on Growing as he shows us how to make an origrami planter (perfect for transplanting those bean sprouts from the Weaselhead seed germination mailer) This will be our last activity mailer for the summer - we hope that you have enjoyed our five minute activity video series!

Hands-On Growing is a locally owned, locally run non-profit, started by Joshua Hebb in 2014. Their mission is to turn Calgary into a world-class role model for food security, community cohesion, environmental stewardship and nutritional/mental health. Community gardens and hydroponics are at the centre of this model, bringing all aspects of the community together (schools, care homes, community centres, etc.) to grow food, assuring our mutual nutrition and social fulfillment! 

Please share this with any teachers and parents that you think may find this useful. To be the first to receive this content, click here to subscribe to our parent newsletter. If you are an organization that would like to submit a video, please contact maria@abcee.org.
 
Watch the video
 
Materials and Instructions

Materials:

  • Newspaper
  • Potting Soil
  • Seeds

 Activity Description

  • Place the newspaper with the long edges in front of you and the short edges to the left and right of you.
  • Fold the newspaper in half by bringing the left short edge to the right short edge.Repeat this fold two more times (three folds total).
  • Unfold the newspaper once, you should have a crease down the middle. Rotate the newspaper infront of you so that that folded side is away from you and the loose edges of the paper are towards you.
  • Create a pocket by placing your finger at the top of the center crease and then bring the front two layers of the bottom left corner across to the bottom right corner. Use your finger to flatten out the pocket.
  • Flip the newspaper over and repeat the previous fold. You should have a large triangle with a pocket on the front and reverse side of the newspaper. Flip the lower right edge towards the left so that you have a flat triangle.
  • Flip the newspaper over and repeat the previous step.
  • Bring the left edge towards the middle crease and press to flatten. Repeat with right edge and flip the newspaper to repeat the process on the reverse side. You should be left with what looks like an envelope with an open flap.
  • take the long outer edge and fold it towards the middle.Repeat this step with the remaining three edges.
  • Fold the bottom flaps towards the pointy top at the front and the back of the newspaper, stopping at the center line.
  • Use your hands to shape the box by opening the bottom fold you just created!
  • Your planter is ready for your seeds and soil!
 
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Online Environmental Education Resources

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