Seed paper is literally paper with seeds embedded into it. When this paper is placed on top of soil and watered, it will germinate and begin sprouting seedlings. Eventually the paper will decompose and leave the seedlings to grow into mature plants.

You’ll need:

• Paper materials –  look for some good quality paper that can be recycled such as school notices, gift wrap, cards, letters, envelopes, school notices! The colour of the scraps will determine the colour of your recycled paper. Best to avoid very shiny paper as it doesn’t break down in the same way.
• Blender
• Colours – food colours or alternatives such as turmeric powder, beetroot juice, cochineal. (Natural colours will produce a more subtle effect that artificial ones)
• Seeds of choice (flowers, herbs) – best to use smaller seeds
• Old towel or paper towel

Steps:

1. Gather together a large pile of recyclable paper. Some of the best sources for this paper include newspaper, egg cartons, tissue paper, phone book pages, paper grocery bags, scraps of unprinted computer paper etc..After you have gathered your paper, tear and shred it into very small pieces. Grab your blender jar and fill it half-full with the freshly torn pieces of paper.
2. Pour some warm water over the pieces of paper in the blender jar. Continue pouring the water into the blender jar until it has filled the blender to the top line. Now you will turn the mushy mess into a fine pulp by turning on the blender to a low speed for about ten seconds. After ten seconds on a low setting, increase the speed for about thirty seconds more. After this there should be no visible paper flakes remaining.
3. Add the seeds. Sprinkle about a teaspoon of flower seeds into the mixture and stir them in. DO NOT BLEND! Stir them only. As for the type of seeds to use, it would be a good idea to use a wildflower seed blend that is adaptable to the type of climate in which the seed paper will be planted. You can use herb seeds or smaller seeds are best. After you have added the seeds, pour the mixture into a strainer and get rid of as much water as possible. You can use a spoon or spatula to press the mixture against the strainer to squeeze as much water as you can from the pulp.
4. Lay out on a tea towel on a flat surface. Dump the pulp onto the fabric and use a spoon or spatula to spread the pulp over the fabric. You can spread it into any shape you want, just be sure to spread it as thin as possible to ensure it dries quicker. After you have spread the pulp, use a sponge to flatten the mixture and soak up more water.
5. After the pulp has dried on one side, turn it over and allow the other side to dry completely. Once both sides are dry, your seed paper is ready for use.

Instructions for planting

Don’t forget to give instructions to your recipient on how to plant their paper heart/shape.

• Place the paper into raked ground
• Cover with a centimetre of soil then water
• Keep moist until germination which will take a few weeks.

Seed paper can be used for many things such as note cards, invitations, or postcards. They make great Valentine’s Day, Mother’s or Father’s Day cards or wedding and shower invitations, and once they are placed in soil and watered they will begin to grow. Homemade seed paper cards are a unique gift that will keep on giving for years to come. It also makes a useful paper product that would otherwise end up in a landfill. A seed paper invitation or card is truly the one thing that is okay to litter!