How to make toilet roll seed starters
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- This is a great way to recycle your toilet rolls and make seed starters. You start by flattening the toilet roll, mark a line at the bottom, fold lengthways, cut along the creases, fold in the flaps at the bottom and then you dip into water and let it dry overnight.
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I just realised that a teeny, tiny bit of flour added to the bottom (when you're making a paper seed starter) is a great (and safe) glue.
It's not necessary with toilet rolls because it already contains glue, but if you're making paper seed starters out of regular paper you can make a thin paste out of flour and water and boom, nice safe glue.
It's an ancient method. Thanks for the inspiration! 😁
(Every other step would be the same as your method.)
Nice tip! Thank you :)
Adam Leone - Carrot Tops Allotment
Ditto! Thank you for the videos. 😁
Oh... If you need to be 100% sure that there aren't any micro critters in the flour before you start you can put the flour in the freezer overnight. Flour/paper mites can be a real pain. It's best to do that if you keep flour in long term storage anyway.
(It's usually not a problem but it's worth knowing about when growing, especially if you keep a sterile grow space.) 😊
My grandparents just bury the cardboard in their garden and use them as a seed starter. My grandparents are genius the greatest people in the world , my parents and grandparents are doctors by profession. Medical student Malaysia God bless 👍🙏
@rharesh4451 I'd like to know more about how your grandparents use the buried cardboard for seed starting. Are you saying they take sheets of cardboard, bury them with soil, and then plant in an open bed of that soil? Or are you saying they bury the cardboard, then remove the cardboard, then shape it into planters to start their seeds in?
@@jeffmeyers3837 the first one they bury the sheet of the cardboard in the soil and plant the seeds.👌
I’m a gardener and I grow a lot. Pots and things get really expensive when you have to buy so many. So this is lovely! Thank you ❤️
Try soil blocking. One time expense for the tool and then just dirt and water.
@@d.w.stratton4078 I really want to try these too!
Adam Leone - Carrot Tops Allotment Use the toilet rolls and, oh I dunno, a thick marker pen or fat stick of some kind with a flat end.
Square off the rolls like you did in the video, put them together on a tray, pour in your moistened soil, pack it down with your stick then press down with the "stick" and push the new soil block out the bottom end.
Now you have a soil mix cube.
(Unless I've got the names mixed up, that's the same, yes?)
They look like easy things to make out of normal household rubbish.
There's way too much plastic around so I use things like plastic bottles and a soldering iron and heat gun to make my own tools now. If you can get a soldering iron or pyrography tool that can go down to 180 or 190°c (most go down to 200°c) you can weld the plastic together. Use stainless steel heads as the brass ones stick like crazy.
Work outside or use an extractor though because most plastic gives off very nasty fumes when heated. There are some videos on how to work plastic on here. You could look up how to recycle HPBA plastic at home. There's not a ton of safety info so take precautions for toxic fumes and heat.
It's kind of an offshoot craft from people who work with 3D pens and it's how I fix or upgrade basic plastic pots. Welding works better than glue.
Making them square makes them fit in so much better!
I know :) so satisfying :)
J
cardboard often has lead and other substances in it
Thanks, this was really helpful. I've watched a number of how-to videos on using tp rolls to make seed starters and this is the best. The trick with the water is brilliant and the square shape even better.
Thank you very much! I'm glad you found it useful :)
One thing I do differently is make my first fold where the outside part of the spiral wrap meets the edge and that piece is the first one to fold in at the bottom. The pot will not unravel.
I like to keep them round, that way I can use a vacuum cleaner tube to make the starter holes, it saves bending.
@@mymartianhome Do you have more on this? This sounds very interesting.
Do you think if it put more slits in a bottle bottom it would unravel better it's possible
I didn't know if the comments stuck if you put more slits in the bottom do you think it would unravel better just a thought
@@beaspears2953 idk about using a bottle but why would you want a toilet paper roll to unravel?
Brilliant! Toilet roll cardboard is pretty standardized in Canada, so no worries there. I've tried to make these in the past, but they were uneven and fell apart. Lines, folding, and water to harden. Got it.
I'm an old dog, 69, but glad to learn a new trick. Thank you very much. :)
Jon in rural BC, Canada
Glad to hear you've found this useful :)
This ought to be on the loo tube channel!
"loo tube" lol
That’s funny!
This is a great idea! The wetting bit is very smart
i also made some but i cut the roll in half and folded the bottoms like a box works great
I've made a few per the instructions in the video, and then I made a few more with a slight modification: I cut the corners off one of the bottom flaps, and cut a slit in the flap on the opposite side.
Then I fold the other two flaps closed.
Then I fold down the flap with the slit I made.
And then fold down the flap having the corners cut off, taking care to push the tip of its narrow end into the slit in the opposite flap.
Then for good measure, I soak it in water and let it dry.
Nice! Do you have a picture?
@@carrottopsallotment Sorry, no. But basically, if you've ever had something come in a cardboard box, like, say, teabags or single-serve oatmeal packets, and one cardboard box flap has a tab that you insert into a slit in the opposite box flap to close the box, that's what I did to the bottom of the tube. And instead of using glue, I just wet them and set them down to dry. BTW, when I plant the tube, I always gently pulll open the bottom a lttie and carefully cut slits in the sides just before putting them into the hole in the potting mix that I made for them.
I like your idea and am just starting to make some. If you have a nice rolling pin, it does a great job of making sharp creases quickly! (April 2023)
So this is where all the loo rolls went during the early pandemic 🤣 .brilliant video thanks 👍
One of the reasons why I decided to make the video lol
the plan demic
cardboard often has lead and other substances in it
Hi, you can use this method for making root trainers for plants which grow a long tap root, (like sweet peas), just use the tube from the centre of kitchen roll🤗
Love that idea!!! Never thought of that :)
That is a great idea. Anything frugal and homesteading related n I'm down lol
You can use the handle of the (closed) scissors, or a spoon handle, to run along the folds and get a good crease. Saves your fingers!
Better still, cut the Loo rolls in half put compost in each one, sow your seeds, water gently in and the plants will grow to put straight in the garden.
I’ve been collecting these rolls for the last few weeks exactly for this purpose 😊
Me too
😊👍
That's so clever! I want to start some loofah plants, but they don't like getting transplanted. So they must be started in a container that can be buried. You have just solved my dilemma! Thank you!
Amazing! Love your technique, precise & square and the dipping in water is brilliant! Thank you! God bless you. Stay safe.
Never thought or heard of using the rolls as seed starters! I have neen collecting them in last couple of months, because i heard they are great w/a bit of lint for fire starting. Great info - new to your channel - thank you!👍👍😊💜
Also good worm food in the compost.
@@heidiweinert3260 👍👍💜
LOVE THIS IDEA!!! I was looking for a way to recycle this cardboard and this is brilliant especially just wetting the bottom!! Thanks so much for sharing! : )
This is such a simple idea...and totally rad. Thank you. I have been sad about my Goldfish...so maybe making these will make me happy about my plants
My stupidity knows no bounds. I came here thinking this was a joke video on how to grow loo rolls from seed! Since, during the virodemic, I only get out of bed for soup and poop, it is time to bury myself under a pillow again.
Great video. Thanks. Blessings and peace
Ah, don't insult yourself. This pandemic has done crazy things to our brains.
🤣😂🤣😂🤣👍
I think you came up with a brilliant idea for a short funny video: how to grow loo rolls from seed during pandemic, i think that is a fantastic premise!!!!!! I am laughing in waves as I imagine what such a video might entail 💕😂
@@cutiepoodle I am glad you are amused I M and I look forward to seeing that film! It will be interesting to see if it is as popular as the real thing was when the pandemic began haha
@@georgealderson4424 Go to channel 'Ernie Hatmaker' - she shows you how to grow chocolate sweets! You will like my friend - please say I sent you (Dawn from Cyprus)!
ua-cam.com/video/7zrd8xjCwAA/v-deo.html
This is really helpful, thanks. I was collecting loo rolls for this purpose, then my partner threw them out! Need to start collecting again.
Ah I'm so glad this is useful to you. Flattening them does help with space saving I have to say :)
Great video. Best one yet on making seedling containers from loo rolls. Good idea using water 👍
Now That's What I Call recycle and reuse and it's good for the environment thank you I think I'm going to also use the paper towel holders and try those out too couldn't hurt
That is very very clever!! I've been wanting to start seeds inside and what to do with all these covid tp rolls and free up trash and not spend a small fortune on starters at the store. Voila!! You fixed BOTH issues - thank you so much!
You're most welcome!
I did this one year and found out that the glue used in making the rolls doesn't hold up when watering the seedlings. On the second batch of these I wrapped the top and bottom with tape to hold the tube together. When planting the seedlings, I then cut the tape and easily removed the soggy paper from around the roots.
I wonder if I will be doing a follow up on which brand of toilet paper roll makes the most friendly seed starter.
Ever considered using twine instead?
I just stumbled upon this video Adam… it’s brilliant, thank you! Straight to the point, no nonsense and no irritating music! You’ve just got your new subscriber! 🤗🇬🇧👍🏼. Just wondering if there’s any easy way to add the seed compost without a funnel? Thanks again!
Thank you for the kind words! That's a good question, perhaps I need to make a tool for that!
I usually just ram the compost in hard, it holds in fine,especially once the it gets roots in. Never thought about making them square,that might make it easier . I usually just put them in an empty plant pot while they are germinating and growing on, there is not a lot of spare space if the cram them in.
Great video, have saved loads of toilet rolls and am looking on how to do these best, and this video is the best I've seen yet, so will use your method!
This is a really good video! Thank you for sharing 🌿
What a simple and clever idea, I just made a few pots out of a paper towel roll. Thank you.👍
You're most welcome!
I imagine this helps air-prune and prevent some over-watering.
Like it. Thanks. 😊
You can also use thick cornstarch as a glue for the bottom.
Amazing!! Wish I would have seen this years ago. Thank you so much. Starting to save mine now.
I wondered what the water was for. I thought you were going to tuck the flaps into each other which is what I've done before but it's a bit fiddly so I'll try your method instead.
This is brilliant! Glad YT put it on my recommendation list!
Great video with very clear instructions and demonstration, as well as a worthwhile opportunity for recycling material! 👏🥇
Biodegradable too when you come to planting out.
No need to remove from said ‘ loo roll ‘ !
Excellent ! 👏👏
This was my question. So the roll won’t restrict the young plants development while it is biodegrading?
Thank you! I like using these to start seeds but I was folding in shorter tabs like a cardboard box lid and they always were uneven & let dirt through.
Exactly, I had the same thing, which is when I came up with the using water to harden the base thing :)
Great video. I wondered how to stop the compost falling out!!!😂
I've never grown toilet roll before, very useful during the pandemic
How very clever are you, thanks for sharing. What a great way to economies under this new administration.
cardboard often has lead and other substances in it
....with the magic of television.....😅😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂👍
A fantastic trick 👍 thank you 😊
I made these once and became frustrated because they came apart. Why? I didn’t get the bottom wet. Thank you so much for the tip!
It is very clever of you so now no more into the bin they go but ready for next seasons planting. Last year there was a shortage of seedling pots so now there wont be anymore.
I've filled cardboard egg cartons with soil seed water. Place on plastic or aluminum tray to germinate
So glad I came across this video. I'm gonna start planting my own veggies soon, and I think this a great method to start growing my little seedlings. Ty so much!
I put a line about 1 1/2 in. up and make two cuts about 1 1/2 inches apart up to the line. (Make a template out of a piece of plastic) Then I cut the rest of the roll off. Fold the flap inside the roll - it should be a little long. Turn the roll over and push the flap down flat - on the bench. The end tips of the flap will fold up a 1/4 inch to create as a little resistance and you have a TP Roll Pot. I haven't tried it but you could use a shallow dish of water - stand the finished roll in the water for a bit - then put aside to dry.
A caution about using the rolls. I used them for several years, but one year nothing I planted in them germinated. Other kinds of containers was no problem that year, but not one in the roll grew. It was several types of plants too, so it's not that I had a bum pack of seeds. It was so disappointing. It was over 30 plants.
Something about them (either a chemical in the paper processing or maybe the glue) prevented germination. So you might want to do a test one before commiting a bunch of time and effort only, and stick to the same brand. I decided after that to buy proper pots (usually on clearance the year before) and give the empty rolls to the kids for crafts.
That's interesting - looking at the comments, I'm wondering if I should look which brand of loo roll works best. Some tend to mould as well.
That's a great tip, thanks for share,
BRILLIANT - kicking myself as I type for throwing away toilet roll holders.
Great idea to make them square. I just cut them in half and set them in a container. I did waste a lot of potting soil between them when filling them.
I make mine square as you do (and store them flattened until I need them) but don't faff about folding the bottom. To use, just stand them in a box of some sort such as the ones mushrooms come in (from memory, they hold 12 or 15) fill with compost and off you go. Also has the advantage of another 1" for the roots to grow down into.
my first thought was why is he folding the bottoms. the roots will be stimied and possibly kill the plant and all your work was for naught.
@@carldaniels4827 Roots can easily push through cardboard, which decomposes with water, so I wouldn't worry about it.
Jon in BC, Canada
I flatten mine twice with the paper still on and hang facing the wall. This makes the paper come down only two or three sheets at a time and stymies cats who want to unroll it, since it rolls up.
Jon in rural BC, Canada
@@JonTanOsb thank you for sharing this insight.
I used to fold a bottom but also stopped doing that when I figured out the roots hold the soil in. Also, I now use containers tall enough to fill entirely, along with the loo rolls, in compost. The seeds sit in each loo roll, and the entire loo roll is covered with soil. And yes, I bury the entire loo roll, since the roots often go into the cardboard. Just bury above the loo roll. Sometimes, I cut the loo roll in half, since not all seedlings need that much height.
Intriguing - I will have to think about making these!
Cool. Then when the seedlings are ready for planting, you can just open the bottoms and let the roots out.☀️
Best recycled starter solution 👏🏼
Such a good idea with no expense at all. Thank you very much. Great 👍
Oh my goodness! This is a stroke of genius 😲 Thanks for sharing. 👍🏻
This is such an excellent idea, thank you. I’ve already started using them for my little tomato seedlings. I have a quick question though, on another video someone else also used loo roll but left the bottom open and put them all into a big tray. Once grown his seedlings had roots coming out the bottom and he planted them directly into the ground loo roll and all.
1. Do you plant them with the toilet roll directly into the ground?
2. Do u open the bottom before planting them so the roots have access to the ground?
Sorry or the questions, I’m a newbie and just learning
Garden nurseries also use these and newspapers which are all biodegradable...they just plant everything together, that way there is no "root shock" to your new starter plants.
I just plant them straight into the ground, sometimes, they'll fall off if everything is wet. I generally don't worry about opening the bottoms when planting out. :)
Great idea,thank you for the video.
This is such a good video full of excellent tips. Thank you for sharing.
To make the edges sharp, just use your pencil or ruler to run along the edge. Faster and better than fingers. Neat idea though!
Great idea
Great t thank you for sharing . I am now collecting rolls
Have you tried using a bone folder to make your crease sharp?
Thank you so much Adam, that’s a great 👍 idea.
Cheers for that. Have a collection of loo rolls to use to start my sweet peas.. was wondering how to sort the bottoms..yay!
Tried a few times. If you don’t keep them moist all the time the whole thing dries out, if you do, then they get mouldy. And they stink.
They work for me but get slightly moldy the only issue is them falling apart at the seam when wet they also dry out fast and need lots of watering to stay moist 😒😕
I actually found that if u cut them in half and make similar flaps like yours but only half as long and u fold them like u do closing up a box once u do this fill them with seed starting mix and plant the desired seeds
Here’s the cool part they’ll fit the 12 cell 36mm peat pellet jiffy windowsill green houses PERFECTLY !!! Unlike the dang pest pellets that are coated in plastic mesh that doesn’t break down these toilet paper tubes will break down when planted
so clever i did some and yes it is much better than having them round...thank you for sharing
Great tip!! Thanks for sharing!!
Very clever and great repurposing idea. Thanks for sharing.
I tried to do it just 2 weeks ago, and 1 day after i planted them into my planter..... bad bad bad idea.
True, it made things so easy. Dig a hole and put it straight in. But you can never figure out what's bad about this until you do it yourself.
Crows come after the roll paper. They pulled out all of my seedlings and poked at the roll cardboards. For their nest or whatever, I do not know. It's almost their breeding season and they go at anything to make nest. They don't care about my seeds/sprouts. But they pull out every single roll, regardless.
Brilliant!
Thank you very much. I will use all my loo rolls from today for gardening.
Nice! I often use kcup pods.
I'm going to try this ,
Up date ! It has made a difference in the way of starting seed , I love it thank you for the idea 😀
Hi Adam. my rolls started getting mold on them couple weeks later. is that normal.
It's not unheard of. I'm wondering if I should look into which different brand of roll is best to grow in.
Well daRn Adam...Where have you been all these years while I've been wasting money...LOLOL
Seriously, I am SO glad I just randomly found this video & your channel... *: )* This is brilliant!
Glad you like it :)
Great idea! Incredibly simple yet very smart👍
1. Does it water bottom well? 2. Does it get moldy easily? Use a fan to prevent this?
It holds together pretty well, sometimes you get mould, but I'm personally not too bothered. I don't use a fan, but it does naturally dry out.
Great info 👌
A new Subscriber here 👍
I was just thinking about how to do this. This is so great!👍👍👍🥳
Yes!
Great, short, simple. Thank you!
I tried this and also tried some in the bottom part of a cut up water bottle and the ones in the toilet paper role ended up molding): any tips to prevent that? I wasn't keeping them too wet either...
Mine always get moldy too ☹️ I have even sprayed them with alcohol, peroxide or vinegar but still get mold !
Really helpful. Thank you
And here I was folding the corners into a std locking box. Will try your method.
Yeah, I found that way much too fiddly for me, which is why I came up with the wetting/paper mache approach :)
So, I have tried using toilet paper and paper towel rolls for 2-3 years now (along with the traditional plastic containers and on multiple different plants) and I can clearly state that unfortunately, this is not a good solution. Germination rates are much worse than in plastic and in almost all cases, the seedlings were struggling, because the paper retains moisture and starts molding, which makes the seedlings sick. If I wait until the paper gets also dry, it's too late for the soil and the seedling. I'm sorry for bearing the bad news: it does not work.
sounds like bad technique
Thanks for the video and the ideas! Do you know how long it takes for the rolls to biodegrade?
Thank you for this...Great idea!
Super facile et super pratique ! Merci beaucoup pote cette idée ! J'ai fait mes semis dedans cette année, c'est absolument parfait ! Bonne continuation
Vous êtes le bienvenu, je suis content que vous l'aimiez :)
This is very helpful thank you sir .
So complicated. Just cut the round roll in half put in a tray and fill. Can be put into soil with seedlings in it as is, will dissolve...
I prefer more cylindrical carrots Adam, but excellent idea thanks
Great idea!! Thanks for sharing 😃
Great idea, thanks for sharing
Good method, I've collected a ton :) Thank you!