Transplanting seedlings from toilet paper seed starter pots is a breeze!Īs soon as the seeds sprout, you can place the toilet paper rolls directly into the ground. The cilantro seeds I planted last year took off quickly! I transplanted them into these metal containers by slightly opening the cardboard bottom and gently setting the seedling directly into the soil still in the toilet paper roll. The best way to know what soil will work for your plant is to read the seed packet directions.Īlternatively, you could skip the soil and seeds altogether if you grow veggies from scraps. Tiny amounts of fertilizer won’t harm the plants, but it all depends on your seeds and whether the soil is synthetic or organic. Some potting soils may also contain a fertilizer, which might not pair with your seeds. You may also want to go with a seed starting mix if you have mold and fungi issues with your soil. The soil helps germinate the seeds, then you can transplant the seedling into potting soil later. Seed starting mix is worth the money if you’re planting unique or hard-to-grow plants. It’s not the best choice for indoor plants.

Avoid moisture-control potting soil for starting herbs from seeds. Larger seeds, like in most indoor herb gardens, thrive in potting mix. The right choice for you may depend on the seeds you’re planting. However, many gardeners swear by seed starting mix or adding a bit of compost to the potting soil. I typically use a regular potting soil mix to plant seeds. Seed Starting Mix vs Potting Soil: Which is Better? Otherwise, allow proper air circulation for the plants or the toilet paper may mold.

Some people create a mini greenhouse from old produce plastic containers. If your plants require a cover, you can place the rolls in a reusable plastic bag until the seeds sprout for a greenhouse effect. When watering, your goal is to completely soak the paper roll. You might want to set the seed starter pots in a watertight container to prevent messes when you water the plants. Place a single seed in the center according to its proper depth. Next, pack each toilet paper roll with seed starting mix or potting soil. You might need to press on the corners a bit to help the bottom sit flat. See the image below for an idea of what your seed starter pots should look like at this stage.įold the bottom section where you made the cuts in the same way you would close a cardboard box. I find that four tabs work fine, but some people suggest using five tabs for a sturdier pot. Take the new, half-sized roll, and make four equal-sized cuts about 1/3 of the way up. Turn each roll into two to get the most of the materials. You’ll need quite a few toilet paper rolls for this project, depending on how many seeds you want to plant. If your family doesn’t use much toilet paper, you could ask neighbors, friends, and family to save their rolls for you. Start by collecting the toilet paper rolls you’ve saved.

Here are the steps to follow to make your seed starters. You have the option of leaving the tube whole, but I cut each roll in half to conserve materials. The biodegradable seed starter pots that worked well for me come from toilet paper rolls. Toilet paper tubes are the perfect shape for seedling pots. So for me, asking myself how I can use biodegradable materials is #1. Helps you start seeds indoors in areas with colder springsįantastic toilet paper roll crafts for kidsīy reducing the amount of plastic waste we produce, we can help save the environment. Ideal for plants that don’t like to have their roots disturbed Never buy seed stater pods or trays againĬardboard can be planted directly into the ground Here are a few of the main reasons people choose biodegradable seed starter pots: You just plant the entire thing directly into the soil or in a bigger pot and let nature handle the rest. Studies show cardboard breaks down over time to produce soil, so it maintains a low environmental impact. Plus, a biodegradable seed starter makes transplanting the seedlings a breeze later.

Doing so allows me to replace the plastic in my gardening technique and from coming into contact with our food. I take something my family would normally recycle (toilet paper rolls), and reuse them. My favorite part about using biodegradable seed starter pots is how much money I save on supplies. 5 So Why Toilet Paper Rolls Again? Why Choose Biodegradable Materials for Gardening?

Seedlings toilet paper rolls moldy