Most of us toss out empty toilet paper rolls without a second thought. But what if these simple cardboard tubes could become one of your most useful gardening tools? These eco-friendly cylinders are biodegradable, easy to work with, and surprisingly versatile when it comes to supporting a thriving garden.
Instead of tossing them in the trash, give them a second life with these 7 brilliant gardening uses — proven to help you save money, reduce waste, and boost plant growth.
🌱 1. Start Seeds in Biodegradable Pots
Toilet paper rolls make excellent seed starters.
How to Use:
- Cut each roll in half (or leave whole for deeper roots).
- Make four small cuts at the bottom and fold the flaps inward to create a base.
- Fill with seed-starting soil and plant your seeds.
- When ready to transplant, plant the whole roll into the soil — it decomposes naturally!
✅ Why it works: According to the University of Illinois Extension, biodegradable seed pots reduce transplant shock and root damage.
🐛 2. Protect Young Plants from Cutworms
Cutworms can destroy seedlings overnight. Toilet rolls act as natural collars that protect vulnerable stems.
How to Use:
- Cut a roll in half and place it around the base of each seedling.
- Push the roll slightly into the soil.
✅ Fact: The Cornell Cooperative Extension recommends physical barriers like collars as an effective organic pest control method for seedlings.
🪱 3. Build a Worm Tower or Compost Layer
Toilet rolls are brown compost material rich in carbon, perfect for your compost bin or worm tower.
How to Use:
- Tear rolls into pieces and layer with green materials (kitchen scraps, grass clippings).
- Add to your compost pile or worm bin.
✅ Benefit: The balance of “green” (nitrogen) and “brown” (carbon) materials speeds up decomposition and improves compost quality.
🌸 4. Make Flower Bulb Spacers or Markers
Planning a flower bed? Use rolls to mark where bulbs or seeds should go.
How to Use:
- Lay out rolls spaced evenly on soil.
- Mark inside each one and remove when planting bulbs or seeds.
✅ Tip: This ensures symmetry in your garden beds and helps younger gardeners plant with accuracy.
🌿 5. Create Natural Plant Labels
You can label your garden rows using flattened toilet paper rolls.
How to Use:
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