DIY Seed Planter for Earth Day

Earth Day is recognized in more than 190 countries across the globe as a call to action to promote sustainability and renewable energy. This year is the 55th anniversary of Earth Day.

At The Idaho Foodbank, our Food Rescue program is a partnership with grocers and convenience stores statewide that provides an opportunity to quickly distribute high-quality, nutritious, and often perishable food to our neighbors in need. This helps prevent unnecessary waste, and is a collaboration that makes sense for businesses, the environment, and hunger relief efforts. In our last fiscal year, 35% of our donated food came from the Food Rescue program.

There are many ways to celebrate Earth Day and take better care of our planet, such as planting and gardening, either as an individual or with family and friends. Here is one fun way you can get started:

Do It Yourself (DIY) Seed Planter

Step 1: Collect milk cartons of any size or shape. Rinse them out several times and allow them to drain.
Step 2: Decide what you want to plant. We recommend starting with some herbs, if you haven’t done much gardening before.
Step 3: Using sharp scissors or box cutter, cut out one side or the top of the milk carton which will be the top of the planter. Save the piece that was cut out. (Note: this step should be done by an adult.)
Step 4: Using duct tape, tape over the four edges of the opening to stabilize the sides of the milk carton and help it hold its shape. (If you have it, this is a great time to use fun duct tape colors)
Step 5: Use a pen or screwdriver to poke holes in the bottom, every few inches, for drainage.
Step 6: Fill the planter with indoor potting soil to about 1 inch below the top.
Step 7: Add the seeds according to seed packet directions.
Step 8: Place milk cartons in a sunny place inside the house – a windowsill can be ideal if you have the space. Place the piece of cutout cardboard underneath to protect the surface.

Water seeds according to seed packet directions, but note that you should water these over the sink and allow them to drain before placing them back in their sunny spot.

Start small with a single plant and once you have had success, then you can move onto a larger area or more plants. Herbs are a great way to add flavor to food in place of salt.

Whether you choose flowers, food, or trees, more vegetation on the earth means more oxygen, better topsoil, and more sustainable harvests.