Use This Throwaway Bathroom Item to Grow Your Seeds

Any house that has a lot of girls has an excess of toilet paper rolls. I always start collecting them in January so I will have a bunch on hand. I use them to make toilet paper seed pots and get a head start on my planting season. It couldn’t be easier.

Make Your Seed Pots

All you need to begin is

-a collection of toilet paper rolls,
-scissors,
-light potting soil,
-seed and a
-waterproof container

 

 

 

1. Cut the toilet paper roll in half
2. Make four cuts in the roll, 1/3 of the way up
3. Fold the cut area on the bottom like you would close a box
4. Fill your new seed pots with a light potting soil, pack it down with your thumbs – it’s that simple

Next Add Your Choice of Seed, Planting Them to Their Proper Depth.

Place the planted pots in a watertight container and give them a good watering. You want to completely soak the paper roll and keep it wet the whole time you are growing. Go lightly with the water though, you do not want them to sit in water, just to be wet. If the paper roll dries out, it will wick water from the soil.

Place your container in a plastic bag or cover it with a clear plastic wrap. You can also recycle used clam-shell containers from takeout. The purpose of the cover is to create a small greenhouse, trapping in the moisture, until the seeds sprout. Keep an eye on your seedlings and spritz with water if it becomes necessary. You probably won’t need to though, the greenhouse you’ve created should trap the moisture inside.

Take off the plastic once your seeds have all sprouted and reach the top cover. They will need air circulation, otherwise the toilet paper seed pots may mold. Place your seed tray in a south facing window so they will get sun. You may also consider making your own grow light area. I have a nice sunny window and don’t find that necessary for seedling success. If you need to give your seedling extra light, here’a an economical alternative from Amazon – Philips Agro Plant Light 60-Watt A19 Light Bulb at under $6 per bulb.

Once the seeds have sprouted and are hardened off, these toilet paper seed pots can be placed directly in the ground and will compost away. Make sure that when you plant them they are completely covered with garden soil.

What Should You Plant in Your Toilet Paper Seed Pots?

Any kind of seed will work in a toilet paper seed pot, but they are especially good for planting seeds that do not like to have their roots disturbed.

These include any root crop (carrot, beet, parsnip, turnip or radish) and other plants that would usually be sown directly in the garden. Consider getting a head start on your melons, pumpkin, sunflower, peas and beans. This is also a fantastic project to do with the kids.

Need more toilet paper rolls? Just ask a family with girls. I’m sure they would be happy to set you up.

What other frugal seed starting tricks have you tried? Share your ideas in the comments below. See other great gardening ideas on our Pinterest Board – Sow What!

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Here are some interesting Amazon items to help you with your seed starts. Thank you for supporting PreparednessMama!