If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to start your garden this year, you might want to consider making toilet roll seedling pots!
This simple and affordable technique not only helps reduce waste by repurposing materials you already have at home, but it’s also a great way to give your plants a head start before transplanting them to your garden.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the easy steps to make your own toilet roll seedling pots. From cutting to planting and watching your seeds sprout, we’ve got you covered with step-by-step instructions for a budget-friendly start to your gardening journey, so you can enjoy a beautiful and sustainable garden this season.
How to Make Toilet Roll Seedling Pots
Creating seedling pots from toilet paper rolls is an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to kickstart your garden. Follow these steps to make your own toilet roll seedling pots. Alternatively, watch our Instagram Reel here.
Materials Required to Make Toilet Roll Seedling Pots:
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Scissors
- Potting soil
- Seeds
- Watering can or spray bottle
- Tray or container to hold the pots
Steps to Make Toilet Roll Seedling Pots:
- Collect Empty Toilet Paper Rolls: Gather used toilet paper rolls. Make sure they are clean and free from any leftover tissue.
- Flatten the Roll: Using your hands, flatten the roll on both sides to create four folds in the cardboard.
- Cut the Rolls: Using scissors, cut each toilet paper roll in half or into smaller sections. You can adjust the size based on your preference and the size of your seeds.
- Make Cuts: On one side of each roll, make four equally spaced vertical cuts about 2 to 4 centimeters in length. These cuts will be folded inward to form the base of the pot.
- Fold the Base: Fold the cut sections inward to create a closed bottom for the pot. Press the folds firmly to ensure they stay in place.
How to Use Toilet Roll Seedling Pots:
- Fill with Soil: Place the prepared toilet paper pots in a tray or container to keep them organised. Fill each pot with potting soil, leaving about 1 centimeter from the top.
- Plant Seeds: Follow the seed packet instructions for planting depth and spacing. Plant the seeds in each toilet paper pot, pressing them gently into the soil.
- Water the Seeds: Using a watering can or spray bottle, moisten the soil thoroughly. Ensure the water is evenly distributed among all the pots.
- Place in a Sunny Spot: Put the tray of toilet paper pots in a sunny location, such as a windowsill, to provide the seeds with the necessary sunlight for germination.
- Monitor and Water: Keep an eye on the soil moisture levels. Water the pots regularly to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged.
- Transplant When Ready: Once the seedlings have grown large enough and the risk of frost has passed, you can transplant them directly into the ground or into larger pots.
By following these steps, you’ll not only be repurposing toilet paper rolls but also giving your seeds a sustainable and biodegradable start to their journey.
Why make toilet roll seedling pots?
Making seedling pots from toilet rolls is a sustainable and environmentally friendly practice that offers several benefits:
Cost-Effective: Toilet paper rolls are readily available and often considered waste. Repurposing them for seedling pots eliminates the need to purchase new containers, making it a cost-effective gardening solution.
Biodegradable: Unlike plastic pots, toilet paper rolls are biodegradable. When the seedlings are ready to be transplanted, you can plant them directly into the soil with the toilet paper pots, reducing transplant shock and minimising waste.
Promotes Recycling: Recycling toilet paper rolls for seedling pots encourages the reuse of materials that might otherwise end up in the trash. It’s a creative way to contribute to recycling efforts at a small scale.
Easy to Handle: Toilet paper rolls are easy to handle and cut, making them a convenient material for DIY seedling pots. The process of cutting, folding, and planting in these pots is simple and accessible for all skill levels.
Encourages Sustainable Gardening: By opting for biodegradable seedling pots, you contribute to sustainable gardening practices. It’s a small step towards reducing your environmental impact and adopting more eco-friendly habits in your gardening routine.
