Frequently Asked Questions

Peat bogs take 100 years to regenerate. CowPots are manufactured in the U.S. by American farmers using renewable energy and recycled ingredients. CowPots break down faster than peat pots once planted, and have demonstrated superior root penetration to other biodegradable pots in research trials like the one done by Mississippi Agricultural Forestry and Experiment Station.

The manure is first used to generate biogas in our methane digester. That biogas is burned to heat our hot water and farmhouse. After it has provided energy to the farm, it is separated, composted and formed into CowPots. We also use post consumer newsprint.

Mike Rowe said it best when he was here filming for Dirty Jobs, 'they don't even stink a little'. We've worked diligently to create plant pots made from composted manure that does not have a noxious odor. Instead the smell has been described as earthy. 

In the USA, East Canaan, Connecticut to be exact. Our CowPots factory sits just a few hundred feet away from our dairy barn. The composted manure is processed and formed into CowPots right here on the farm. Read more about our farm.

CowPots are the pots you plant and 100% biodegradable. CowPots have been designed to last several months in a greenhouse or outdoor setting, yet once planted in the ground, they quickly begin to break down.  Our products are all USDA Certified 100% Biobased.

If kept dry, indefinitely.

No worries - CowPots are not hazardous to dogs if eaten. They may be thirsty so keep some water available. 

With anything dogs digest - if they show signs of discomfort for an extended period of time, take them to your vet. We have included a link to our MSDS below for your information.

Visit our biodegradable pot wholesale store to order online or contact us today. Visit our resale page for more information.

CowPots are an eco-friendly, biodegradable and natural alternative to plastic and peat, made from our cows' composted manure, but are not currently OMRI listed or approved for Certified Organic operations. 

We source the recycled newsprint that goes into our CowPots from our community. Although this aligns with our sustainability efforts, it does contain colored inks, and possible glossy paper - which are 2 things currently NOT permissible for organic certification. If our production methods and ingredient sourcing changes, we will promote our changed status. 

Our online store lists each of the 15 styles of biodegradable plant pots that we currently manufacture. If you are interested in other styles, find out more about customization. 

No. There is no need to tear or rip the CowPot when you are ready to transplant. The porous and biodegradable pot walls encourage root penetration. By not disturbing the roots, you are eliminating transplant shock.

Visit our product specification page to see a condensed description of each of the 15 styles of CowPots and their suggested growing applications as plant pots.  

CowPots do not require a specific type of potting soil. Make sure you fill your plant pots with good quality, sterile potting soil for seed starting.

Be cautious not to lift a recently watered CowPot by the 'lip' as it will easily tear when moist.  Using a tray can make it easier to move CowPots, especially when they are wet.  

You can tell by color and touch. When the biodegradable pot walls are dark brown and moist to the touch, they do not need to be watered. When light brown and dry, it’s time to water the plant pots again.

Yes. CowPots do not take the place of fertilizer. Use your normal feeding protocol with the fertilizer of your choice. We have 2 instructional videos specific to fertilizer use for your plants growing in CowPots; episodes 8 and 12.  

If you are having trouble pulling the trays apart, we recommend gently wiggling one side and then the opposite side. We made a short youtube video to show how to do it.

As a biodegradable planter, CowPots will begin to break down within weeks of transplanting. As long as they are completely buried at planting, they should be almost completely decomposed by the end of the growing season. The rate of decomposition depends largely on moisture and bioactivity in your soil.  

The CowPot walls are porous (we don't use any waxes or coatings) and will soak up the moisture when you bottom water. The pot will turn darker brown when wet and light brown when dry. Bottom watering can work well with CowPots as long as the exterior of the pot is permitted to dry in between waterings. Not only does this reduce mold growth but it also ensures that your pot will stay structurally intact for the recommended growing time. 

Factors that affect decomposition can include soil type, soil bioactivity and water rates. Sandy soils and soils with few microorganisms typically display slower rates of decomposition in CowPots. Roots can still grow through the biodegradable pot walls even if they do not rapidly decompose.

With some variation depending on size, once planted, optimal growing time in CowPots before transplanting is 12 weeks.  This can vary based on watering practices. After that time, pot walls may become weak. We suggest either transplanting into larger biodegradable plant pots (consider our larger styles of CowPots) or into the ground.  

The #3 Six Cell 3 pack offers 18 planting cells and is the most economical pack option. This size is best suited for seeds that germinate quickly or cold season crops. 

Yes! We do. You can use the link below to download it or contact us and we can send you a DVD.

Yes! Please use the link below to find marketing and point of purchase materials as well as our biannual farm newsletter. You will be able to download posters, product specification sheets, brochures and more!