You have probably heard the phrase, “reduce, reuse, recycle.” But have you ever thought of using toilet paper rolls for gardening? Turns out they have many practical uses beyond kids’ arts and crafts projects. Here are a few ways you can put toilet paper rolls to use in your garden:
Seed Starters
Toilet paper rolls make for wonderful seed starters. To make them, cut each roll in half and fill them with seed-starter mix, then place them on a tray.
“The seeds should then be planted as the instructions say, with the entire roll being transplanted into the ground, because it will decompose,” says Tammy Sons, gardener and owner of TN Nursery. These seed starters are great for indoor gardening, as well as a container garden.
According to Audrey King, garden center specialist at Kent Greenhouse & Gardens, these toilet paper rolls are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic pots. However, in very wet climates, the rolls can get soggy or even moldy. It's best to use them in well-draining soil, or to start seeds indoors first.
Worm Booster
Worms can use toilet paper rolls to boost your soil life, says King. "They love nibbling on soft cardboard, and their tunnels aerate the soil."
All you need to do is cut toilet paper rolls into small pieces or rings, and then mix them loosely into the top 4 to 6 inches of garden soil. Water as usual, and let nature take its course. Just make sure that the toilet paper rolls are made of plain cardboard. “No plastic coatings, dyes, or glossy finishes," says King. "Just the simple brown kind. The environment will thank you.”
Plant Collars
You can also use toilet paper rolls to deter common garden pests, like cutworms, which can wreak havoc on seedlings.
“These pests chew right through the base of your plant stems at night,” says King. “I like to think of it as a little cardboard moat that keeps the bad guys out until your plant is strong enough to stand up for itself.”
To make the plant collars, cut one side of the roll lengthwise and then slide it around the new seedling to fit like an actual collar. “The soil should be pushed carefully around it to secure the roll in place,” says Sons. “Then the toilet paper roll can act as a barrier against any harmful worms or slugs.”
The only drawback is that the rolls will break down quickly, so if you're looking for something more long-term, then toilet paper tubes may not be the best solution.
Compost Material
Since they're biodegradable, toilet paper rolls are a great compost material. Just be sure to shred the tubes into smaller pieces before mixing them into your compost.
“Toilet paper rolls decompose naturally alongside organic matter,” says Sons. The tubes can break down more quickly if they’re over-watered, however, and they may attract moisture-loving pests if they’re left that way.
Garden Spacers
You can use toilet paper rolls as spacers—just place them upright in rows where you’ll be planting your seeds. Then, fill them with soil or compost before sticking the seeds in.
“The positioning of the rolls will help guide the roots downward to keep their spacing even,” says Sons. Since these tubes are biodegradable, they won’t last forever, which is both a pro and con, depending on how long you need the spacers.
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You can utilize toilet paper rolls in any type of garden. They work well in a raised bed or a container. Or simply in the lawn by your front door. They are a tool you already have in your home. So there is no extra cost involved. Bonus for this technique, you can get your kids in on the gardening project!