Pro Tip: Turn Trash into Food.

Hey everyone! For my first post I wanted to do something simple. I am going to show you how to make biodegradable seed starters from empty toilet paper rolls. This is a great way to save money and reuse something that might otherwise become trash. It is also very easy; you can crank out a garden’s worth of these in no time.

I came across this idea a while ago on Pinterest and was taken by its simple genius. Then I promptly forgot about it.

We officially started planting our spring garden last week, which reminded me of the seed starters. I did some more research and found this lovely video. While you could leave the tubes open like in the pin, I like the idea of creating a bottom, it feels more portable.

Of course, to do this you will need lots of rolls, depending on the size of your garden. I was already saving rolls to make some wall art, as seen on Pinterest. My art projects always seem to find themselves on the back-burner, so here we go!

 

MAKE:

Squash the roll in half making sure to crease the edges. Line up the creases and squash again. Cut the tube in half.

On each half, cut along the crease lines about 1/2 in, creating flaps. Fold flaps in and crease (this helps create a flatter bottom). Fold flaps like you would a box top.

You now have two cute little containers for your plants!

FILL:

This is pretty self explanatory, but I took pictures, so, deal. Set the starters on a tray and fill with dirt.

Add seeds. Top off and water. Done!

And that is how to use toilet paper rolls to start your garden!

 

I labeled mine with tape and a permanent marker.  I have seen some people write directly on the tubes, but I was afraid it would disappear with time.  I watered them with a turkey baster so I wouldn’t end up with a bunch of water pooled at the bottom.  We want the rolls to disintegrate, but not before we get them in the ground!  You can tell they need watering when the sides are dry.

When you are ready to transplant (times vary, but when plants are a few inches high) dig a hole, open the bottom flaps and drop the whole thing in. The tube will eventually decompose. **DISCLAIMER** This is my first time doing this, so I haven’t actually witnessed the break down, but it makes sense to me.

This discovery was random, but I’m so glad I found it. I’m actually a little disappointed I didn’t think of it myself. We’ve been doing this gardening thing for a few years now, but have never successfully started our own plants. We tried some trays from Walmart a few years ago, but that was so discouraging, I haven’t attempted it since.

I know this was short and sort of thrown together, but I’ll get the hang of it…I’m excited to be a contributor!