Agriculture • Grade 8

Seedling Nursery: Biodegradable Newspaper Cone Pots

Grow healthy tomato, kale, or spinach seedlings using recycled newspaper pots that can be planted directly into the soil. No transplant shock, zero plastic waste, complete SBA rubric included.

Newspaper cone pots filled with soil and young green seedlings growing healthy

SBA Rubric Included Grade 8 Zero Cost Updated: May 2026

14 daysseedling growth period

15-20 potsfrom one newspaper

20 pointsSBA max score

Why use newspaper cone pots?

Commercial seedling trays are often made of plastic and can cost 200 to 500 KES. More importantly, when seedlings are removed from plastic trays for transplanting, their roots are disturbed, causing transplant shock which delays growth by 7 to 14 days. Newspaper cone pots solve both problems: they cost nothing to make, and because the newspaper biodegrades in the soil, you plant the entire pot without disturbing the roots. This project demonstrates sustainable agriculture practices and waste paper recycling.

Agricultural Science Fact: Newspaper is made from wood pulp (cellulose). When buried in moist soil, soil bacteria and fungi break down the cellulose within 4 to 6 weeks. As the newspaper decomposes, it adds organic matter to the soil and attracts earthworms, which further improve soil structure. This is a form of direct composting around the seedling's root zone.

Important Note: Use only black-and-white newspaper. Avoid glossy magazine pages or coloured printed sections because the inks may contain heavy metals. Most Kenyan newspaper inks are soy-based and safe, but black-and-white pages are the safest option. Do not use wax-coated paper or cardboard with plastic lamination.

KNEC SBA connection: This project covers Agriculture Strand 1: Crop Production (Nursery Establishment) and links to Environmental Science (Waste Recycling). Your evidence will include photographs of each construction step, a 14-day seedling growth log, and transplanting documentation.

Complete materials list

Core materials (all free or recycled):

Old newspaper - black-and-white pages only. One complete newspaper (8-10 pages) makes approximately 15 to 20 pots.
Empty tin can or glass bottle - cylindrical object approximately 8cm to 10cm in diameter to use as a mould. A baked beans tin or soda bottle works well.
Adhesive tape (optional) - small pieces of masking tape or any paper tape to secure the pot bottom. Masking tape is biodegradable; plastic tape works but takes longer to break down.

Soil mix components:

Topsoil (2 parts) - collected from the garden or school compound. Ensure it is free from stones and large debris.
Compost or well-rotted manure (1 part) - for nutrients. Use compost from the school compost pit or aged cow manure.
Sand (1 part) - improves drainage and prevents soil from becoming waterlogged.

Seeds and tools:

Vegetable seeds - tomato (Marglobe or Anna F1), kale (Sukuma wiki), spinach, or capsicum. Ask a local farmer or buy a small packet (100-200 KES).
Watering can with fine rose - to water gently without disturbing seeds.
Small stick or pencil - for making planting holes in the soil.
Notebook and pen - for 14-day seedling growth log.
Shaded location - a protected area for the nursery (under a tree or against a wall that provides afternoon shade).

Total cost: 0 to 200 KES (only seeds may need to be purchased; everything else is recycled or free).

Soil Mix Ratio: 2 parts topsoil + 1 part compost + 1 part sand

Step-by-step construction and nursery guide

Follow these 11 steps carefully. The complete project takes 14 days from potting to transplanting.

Prepare the newspaper strips

Lay a full newspaper page flat. Cut or tear along the fold lines to create long strips approximately 30cm by 15cm (about the size of a letter sheet folded in half). Each strip will make one pot. Prepare 15 to 20 strips. The exact size is not critical, but longer strips make taller pots.

Newspaper cut into rectangular strips ready for pot making

Wrap the newspaper around the mould

Place the tin can or bottle on its side at the edge of a newspaper strip. Roll the strip tightly around the can, allowing the newspaper to extend approximately 3cm to 5cm beyond the bottom of the can. The seam should be on the outside. Hold the rolled newspaper firmly so it does not unravel.

Newspaper strip rolled around tin can mould

Fold and crimp the bottom

With the newspaper still wrapped around the can, fold the excess newspaper at the bottom over the base of the can. Crimp and press the folds flat to create a solid bottom. The folds should overlap to prevent soil from falling out. For extra security, place a small piece of masking tape across the folded bottom.

Folded newspaper bottom of pot being crimped flat

Remove the mould and check the pot

Carefully slide the tin can out of the newspaper cylinder. The pot should hold its shape with a flat bottom and open top. Gently squeeze the sides to adjust the shape if needed. Repeat steps 2 through 4 until you have 15 to 20 pots.

Row of completed empty newspaper pots standing upright

Prepare the soil mix

Mix 2 parts topsoil, 1 part compost, and 1 part sand. Sift the mixture through a wire mesh or a kitchen strainer to remove stones, large twigs, and debris. The fine soil allows delicate seedling roots to grow easily. Moisten the mix slightly so it holds together when squeezed, but is not dripping wet.

Soil, compost, and sand being mixed together in a basin

Fill the newspaper pots with soil

Place the newspaper pots closely together in a shallow tray or on a flat surface (they will support each other). Fill each pot with the prepared soil mix, leaving a 1cm gap from the top rim. Gently tap each pot on the table to settle the soil, but do not press down hard (compacted soil drains poorly).

Newspaper pots filled with dark soil mix

Plant the seeds

Using a small stick or pencil, make a hole 1cm deep in the centre of each pot. Drop 2 to 3 seeds into each hole (in case some seeds do not germinate). Cover the seeds lightly with loose soil. Label each pot if you are planting different varieties (tomato vs kale).

Seeds being dropped into hole in soil with stick beside

Water gently and position the nursery

Use a watering can with a fine rose to water the pots gently. The soil should be moist but not flooded. Place the pots in a location with morning sun and afternoon shade (under a tree or against an east-facing wall). Direct hot afternoon sun can dry out small pots quickly. If rain is expected, move pots under a shelter.

Watering can with fine rose sprinkling water over newspaper pots

Daily monitoring and thinning (Days 1-14)

Check the pots every morning. Water when the soil surface feels dry to touch. After 5 to 8 days, seeds will germinate (sprout). When seedlings have two true leaves, thin each pot to the strongest single seedling by cutting the weaker ones at soil level with scissors (do not pull them out, as that disturbs roots). Record growth observations daily.

Small green seedlings in newspaper pot with scissors beside

Harden off seedlings (Days 10-14)

Seedlings grown in protected conditions need "hardening off" before transplanting. For 4 days before transplanting, gradually increase their exposure to direct sunlight and wind. On Day 10, give 2 hours of direct morning sun. Day 11: 4 hours. Day 12: 6 hours. Day 13: full sun. This toughens the plants so they survive transplanting.

Seedling pots placed in direct sunlight during hardening off

Transplant into the garden (Day 14)

Dig a hole in the garden slightly larger than the newspaper pot. Place the entire pot into the hole. The newspaper will decompose in the soil within 4 to 6 weeks, allowing roots to grow through. Do not remove the newspaper. Backfill soil around the pot and water thoroughly. Space tomato plants 60cm apart, kale 40cm apart.

Newspaper pot being placed into garden hole with soil around

14-Day Seedling Growth Log

Copy this table into your notebook. Record observations every morning at the same time (e.g., 8:00 AM).

Day	Date	Watering (Yes/No)	Germination (Visible sprouts)	Height (cm)	Number of Leaves	Observations (colour, pests, etc.)
1	_____	_____	No	0	0	Seeds planted, pots moist
2	_____	_____	No	0	0	_____
3	_____	_____	No	0	0	_____
4	_____	_____	No	0	0	_____
5	_____	_____	_____	_____	_____	_____
6	_____	_____	_____	_____	_____	_____
7	_____	_____	_____	_____	_____	_____
8	_____	_____	_____	_____	_____	Thinning done today
9	_____	_____	N/A	_____	_____	_____
10	_____	_____	N/A	_____	_____	Start hardening off (2 hrs sun)
11	_____	_____	N/A	_____	_____	4 hrs sun
12	_____	_____	N/A	_____	_____	6 hrs sun
13	_____	_____	N/A	_____	_____	Full sun all day
14	_____	_____	N/A	_____	_____	Transplanted to garden

KNEC SBA Rubric – Seedling Nursery Project

Criteria	Exceeds (5)	Meets (4)	Approaching (3)	Below (2-1)
Pot construction quality	Pots uniformly sized, firm bottoms that hold soil, neat folded edges. Minimum 15 pots produced. No tape needed or tape correctly applied.	Pots functional but some loose bottoms or irregular sizes. 12-14 pots produced.	Several pots collapsed or leaked soil. 8-11 pots produced.	Fewer than 8 pots or pots unusable.
Soil mix and planting	Correct ratio (2:1:1), soil sifted, evenly moist. Seeds planted at correct depth (1cm). Pots clearly labelled.	Ratio approximately correct, soil not sifted but workable. Seeds planted correctly.	Ratio off (too much sand or clay), soil too dry or wet. Seeds too deep or shallow.	Wrong soil mix or seeds not germinating due to planting error.
Nursery care and growth log	Complete 14-day log with all columns filled. Daily watering recorded. Thinning performed correctly. Hardening off schedule followed. Minimum 80% germination rate.	10-13 days of log entries. Thinning done but late. Germination 60-80%.	7-9 days of log entries. Thinning not done or very late. Germination below 60%.	Fewer than 7 days logged or no germination.
Transplanting and final outcome	All healthy seedlings transplanted with newspaper pot intact. Plants survived transplanting (observed after 1 week). Root growth visible through decomposing paper. Photo evidence of full process.	Most seedlings transplanted, some transplant shock but recovery expected.普段	Transplanted late or seedlings weak, multiple losses.	No transplanting or all seedlings died.

To achieve "Exceeds" (20/20):

Conduct a control experiment: plant identical seeds in a plastic container with holes. Compare root development after 14 days by gently removing both seedlings. Draw and label the root systems. The newspaper pot seedling should show more fibrous roots.
Photograph the decomposition of a newspaper pot buried without a seedling at Day 0, Day 14, Day 28, and Day 42 to show biodegradation.
Invite a local farmer or agriculture extension officer to assess your nursery and sign a verification letter.
Calculate your germination percentage: (number of seeds sprouted ÷ total seeds planted) × 100. Aim for above 85%.

Extension activities (bonus marks)

For an additional 3 to 5 bonus points, complete one of these research tasks:

Growth comparison: Plant the same vegetable variety (e.g., tomato) in three different pot types: newspaper cone, plastic container with drainage holes, and a commercial peat pot. Measure seedling height every 3 days for 3 weeks. Which pot produces the tallest seedlings? Which has the best root development when removed carefully?
Soil mix experiment: Prepare three different soil mixes: (A) 100% topsoil, (B) 2:1:1 (standard), (C) 1:1:2 (extra sand). Plant seeds in each mix. Which mix produces the fastest germination? Why?
Community project: Make 50 newspaper pots and donate seedlings to a local primary school or community garden. Document with photographs and a letter from the recipient. This demonstrates community service learning (CSL) integration.

Project Gallery – add your own images

Print or save as PDF

Take this guide to your garden. Print the growth log and rubric for daily recording.

Low internet mode Print this page before starting. All instructions, log tables, and rubrics work offline. Use any available seeds from your kitchen (dried beans or peas also work for testing).