I have been making birch bark pots for seedlings recently. As birch has antiseptic properties, I’m hoping that these sorts of pots could be helpful for avoiding damping off, although since using worm castings mixed with a little sand and a proper seed starting set up, it fortunately hasn’t been happening as often. They also aren’t plastic, which is wonderful, are easy to make, and could be good for holding other things.
You can see the stages in the picture. First I cut the birch bark into rectangles, then cut a bit out. You can cut rectangles out and get rid of the little triangular flap if you wish for even better drainage, but since the seams are not going to be sealed, they
should drain somewhat anyway. Pay attention to the grain of the bark, for that is important. The streaks should point upward in the finished pot so that it doesn’t crack or break when you tie it all together. Now, hold it over a heat source—hot coals, a candle, or a stove—so that it softens, but does not catch fire—and very very gently, without forcing it, fold it into the proper shape. Now to keep it in the proper shape, you may prop it between two heavy objects such as logs, as it cools. If you aren’t picky about the aesthetics you may use rubber/elastic bands or paper clips to hold it and be done with it. Afterwards, holding the sides of the pot so that they overlap each other, mark with a pencil where you will make your holes for sewing the sides together. Only four are needed on a pot this small; then with a red-hot awl or wire, make them by burning through the bark, which helps to prevent cracking. Once this is all done, get a piece of string or bast (I used dogbane) and
thread it through, pulling it tight and making a square knot, pulling the loop tight as you make it and then tightening to finalize.
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