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Keep Your Toilet Paper Rolls If You’re a Gardener — Here’s Why
If you’re an avid gardener, chances are you’re always looking for low-cost, sustainable solutions to improve your planting process. What if I told you one of the best garden hacks is sitting right in your bathroom trash? Yes — used toilet paper rolls are an absolute goldmine for gardeners. Instead of tossing them out, you should start collecting them. Here’s the simple, genius reason why:
Toilet Paper Rolls Make the Perfect Biodegradable Seed Starters
That’s right — these little cardboard tubes are ideal for starting seeds. They’re free, fully biodegradable, and just the right size for seedlings to take root. Gardeners have been using them for years as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic seed trays or pots.
🌱 Why Toilet Paper Rolls Are Great for Seed Starting:
1. They Break Down Naturally
Toilet paper rolls are made of thin cardboard that decomposes in soil over time. Once your seedling is strong enough to be planted in the garden, you can put the whole roll — seedling and all — directly into the ground. The roots will push through the moist cardboard, and the roll will eventually break down, feeding the soil in the process.
2. They Prevent Transplant Shock
Transplant shock is a common problem when moving seedlings from pots to the ground. Roots get disturbed, and young plants can become stressed or damaged. With toilet paper rolls, there’s no need to remove the seedling from its starter — just plant the whole thing. This keeps the root system intact and healthy.
3. They’re Free and Abundant
Why spend money on plastic seed trays when you’re probably tossing out multiple toilet paper rolls each month? If you’re starting a lot of seeds, ask friends or family to save theirs too. It’s a great way to recycle and garden sustainably.
🧑🌾 How to Turn Toilet Paper Rolls into Seed Starters:
What You’ll Need:
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Scissors
- Seed starting soil or potting mix
- Seeds of your choice