Very interesting Sunni. I am getting into growing vegetables (having grown tomatoes, peppers, eggplants in the past), so your feedback is appreciated. If I need to start anything inside, I'll probably try this method first. For some reason, I did not have any germination from eggplant seeds even after more than two weeks. I did one set of seeds with paper towel and the roots did stick. Have not had that issue with coffee-filters, especially moist ones. Californian, I have noticed when I could not get to transplanting the sprout in time, the seed-leaves separated from the seed heads within the filter. I also tend to bury the sprouts almost completely with just the seeds head showing, when I transplant them and the seed heads separate nicely. I just leave the seed coat alone. So you should plant as soon as the seed has sprouted. If you go to the post linked with the first post, in the 3 or 4 the response, the poster shows images of the process. The last image would give you a good idea of when you can transplant.

Use them for something. I keep a pile of "used but clean" paper towels under my sink. (Hubby thinks I'm nuts, but that's another story -- he's just not 'in' to composting the way I am!) By clean, I mean a paper towel I've used as a napkin for a meal but it didn't really get used, or one I used to dry my hands, or one I used to clean my eyeglasses ( I wash my glasses with Joy soap, rinse under the faucet and then dry with paper towels -- so no chemicals) -- you get the picture. Nothing smelly. Then when I do have something "smelly" for the compost, especially if it's a bit wet, I have the paper towels. I use them to wrap up the coffee grounds, to 'crunch up' egg shells so they break down more easily, to collect kitchen scraps, to wrap up leftovers for the compost -- you get the idea. Put those babies to work! Make them do double duty! And I promise you they won't be floating around your composter then! MacThayer

I'm in southern Wisconsin and have been composting consistently for 5 years. Here's a different take on your situation: I'm assuming you have a garden? If so, consider dumping your coffee grounds, or at least some portion of them, directly into your garden. If you're concerned about putting too much into your garden, just start with a smaller amount to reassure yourself that it'll work ok. All of my coffee grounds go in the garden or my dry leaf pile (when I have one), except when I need an extra dose of nitrogen in the compost pile. Coffee grounds are nice in their versatility - they're fine to sit on the surface of the soil, unlike most other compostables. Best of luck! PS Since I'm also in Wisconsin and you say you're newer to composting, I feel I should mention up front in case you don't know - you *can* compost through winter. Or, at least continue to add to your pile. It'll freeze at some point but will thaw and get back to business in the spring. :)

I like to use aluminum pie plates and paper cups for collecting & drying seed heads, but a friend told me about using small paper bags she collects from happy meals and the like. She places the seed heads in the bags, closes loosely, when the heads are dry she shakes the bags to loosen the seeds from the heads and then pours the seeds out. I haven't tried it yet but will for larger seeds.