getting ready for spring - preparing for seedlings

I bought a little wooden 'doover' (pot maker) to make newspaper 'pots'. They're easy to make with just a glass and newspaper (see here for video instructions or here for a Gardening Australia factsheet). You can sow seeds into the pots ready for planting direct into the garden when the seeds have germinated and grown into seedlings. The video instructions uses more paper than I do - I just use the final 'strip' size cut from a newspaper (approx 9cm x 25 cm cut across a folded sheet of newspaper - I use the local paper!) and roll up, and press the bottom of the pot into the base. No need for glue. So simple and cheap! Using less paper means the base is not too thick when you put the newspaper pot into the garden and the roots can quickly establish in the garden bed. Sometimes I also put my 'cuttings' into such a pot (mint, rosemary etc) to let the cutting get established before planting (or giving to neighbours).
If you want to order a pot maker, Green Harvest stock them (Australia) - scroll down the web page. Not especially cheap but really effective. People who live overseas can just google to find one in their country. Enjoy - very therapeutic way to spend a sunny afternoon!