How to Reuse Toilet Paper Rolls to Start Seeds

Reusing is the step prior to recycling in the common phrase, "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." Reusing allows items to be used up, rather than using resources to recycle them into another product. By reusing, we reduce waste! Look into your recycle bins and see which items you can reuse. Here is a tip for reusing toilet paper rolls to start, or germinate, seeds.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• toilet paper rolls
• dirt
• scissors
• seeds
• water

1. 

   Save your empty toilet paper rolls.

2. 

   Cut each of them in half.

3. 

   Going around the end of the toilet paper roll, gently press in creating a bottom.

4. 

   When you are finished, the bottom of your new seed starting cup should look like this.

5. 

   Arrange all of your seed starting cups together.

6. 

   Fill your new seed starting cups with dirt. Place a seed in the center of each one. Water them daily. Within a few days, your seeds will begin to sprout. When you transplant the sprouts to your garden, be careful to support the bottom of the cup with your hand. This will prevent the dirt from falling out. You can place the cups directly in the garden. You do not need to tear the paper away.

Tips & Warnings

• Reusing will also save you money! This method will ensure you never have to purchase pots for starting seeds again.

Resources

• How to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
• How to Use Less
• How to Clean Green
• How to Feng Shui: Help to Green the Earth
• How to Reuse Dryer Lint
• How to Reuse Paper
• How to Recycle Paper at Home

[inosine]

on 5/13/2009 Hi,I would like to link to this article on starting seeds in an upcoming post on my blog ecopractical.blogspot.comI'm collecting a series of toilet paper tube projects and yours looks great! Would that be alright? How would you like to be credited? *smiles* Esther

[majeral]

on 5/10/2009 this is very good, better than making those cord holders lol

[prism]

on 11/15/2008 Great idea! I usually make newspaper pots but the toilet paper rolls look a little easier and quicker.

[redhoss]

on 9/24/2008 I knew there was something better to do with them than just throwing them away. Proper job.

[rleeevans]

on 7/21/2008 After reading your summary I had to take a look at your articles...I also have a accounting and CIS degrees! Excellent images and very well written. I love to propogate cuttings, I'll have to give this a try. Thanks!