Make Recycled Seed Paper

Turn your junk mail into beautiful, handmade—plantable—seed paper.

By: Debbie and Mark Wolfe

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Photo By: Photo By Debbie Wolfe

Photo By: Image courtesy of High Country Gardens

Plant When Done

Plant and enjoy what develops.

Supplies

You will need a blender, a screen, a plastic bin (large enough to hold the screen in a few inches of water), a cookie sheet or tray, a towel and seeds.

Custom Screen Size

I used a small window screen I purchased at a home improvement store. It was long, and I wanted to cut it down to 8.5 by 11 inches. To create your own paper-sized screen, begin by taking the screen apart, then measure and mark the two longer sides at 11 inches.

Cut the Sides

Using a hacksaw, carefully cut the metal sides of the frame.

Add the Screen

Once you have the two long sides cut down, re-insert the 8.5-inch sides. Reattach the screen. Using a knife or a pair of scissors, cut the screen down to size.

Collect Paper and Botanicals

Tear up some paper, flower petals and grass. Use only non-glossy paper. You can use napkins, old envelopes, newspaper, etc. Any type of flower petals, leaves or grasses will work as well. A pinch or two of grass and petals from one flower goes a long way.

Blend It!

Add the torn paper into a blender. Add a few cups of water. Blend on high until the paper is incorporated and pulpy.

Add the Botanicals

Add the petals, grasses and other botanicals. Pulse a few times to chop up the flowers and grasses. Don't puree at this point, you want some of the botanicals to remain visible.

Fill the Tub

Add a few inches of water to the plastic bin. Go ahead and lower the screen into the water.

Pour the Pulp

Pour the pulpy mix from the blender into the tub of water. Swish the tub around to evenly distribute the mixture over the screen.

Lift the Screen

Slowly lift the screen out of the tub of water.

Add the Seeds

Lay the screen onto a towel-lined cookie sheet. Let the water drain off the paper onto the towel. Sprinkle a few pinches of seeds onto the paper.

Let it Dry

Let the paper dry. It can take a few hours to overnight depending on how much humidity is in the air. When it's dry, carefully remove the paper from the screen.

Make, Write, Then Plant

The best part of this seed paper is, when you are done you can plant it and see what grows!