Instead of throwing them away, here’s how you can reuse empty toilet rolls in your garden to help plants thrive.

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1. Seed Starters

Empty toilet rolls are perfect for starting seeds indoors before transplanting them into your garden.

Since they are biodegradable, you can plant the entire roll directly into the soil without disturbing the delicate roots of your seedlings. The cardboard decomposes naturally, allowing your plants to grow undisturbed.

How to use them as seed starters:

• Cut each toilet roll in half to create shorter tubes.
• Stand them upright in a shallow tray or container and fill each tube with potting soil.
• Plant your seeds according to the instructions on the seed packet.
• Water the soil gently and place the tray in a sunny spot.
• Once your seedlings are ready to be planted outdoors, plant the entire toilet roll directly into the garden. The cardboard will break down over time, enriching the soil.

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2. Plant Protection from Pests

Young seedlings and tender plants are often targeted by pests like slugs, snails, and cutworms. You can use empty toilet rolls as protective collars around your plants to create a barrier against these harmful critters.

The cardboard provides a physical barrier that pests find difficult to cross, giving your plants time to grow stronger.

How to use them for plant protection:

• When planting seedlings or young plants in the garden, place a toilet roll around the base of each plant.
• Push the roll slightly into the soil so that it stays in place.
• The toilet roll acts as a barrier, preventing pests from reaching the tender stems and leaves.
• As the plant grows and the roll begins to decompose, the protection continues, and you can easily replace the rolls as needed.

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3. Compost Boosters

If you have a compost pile or bin, adding toilet paper rolls can help balance the compost mix. They are rich in carbon, which helps balance the nitrogen-rich green waste, like food scraps and grass clippings.

This balance is essential for creating nutrient-rich compost that will feed your garden soil.

How to use them in compost:

• Tear or cut the toilet rolls into smaller pieces before adding them to your compost pile. This helps them break down more quickly.
• Mix the cardboard pieces with other compost materials like fruit peels, vegetable scraps, and garden waste.
• Regularly turn the compost pile to ensure everything decomposes evenly. Over time, the toilet rolls will break down and become part of the rich, fertile compost you can use to improve your garden soil.

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4. Organizing Garden Tools and Supplies

While not directly related to planting, toilet rolls can be incredibly useful for organizing small garden tools and supplies.

You can use them to keep things like string, plant labels, and small stakes organized in your garden shed or workspace. This helps you keep track of all the little things that often get lost in the clutter of gardening supplies.

How to use them for organizing:

• Group small items like plant ties, labels, or even gloves inside toilet rolls to keep them neat and accessible.
• Place the rolls in a box or container to prevent them from rolling around.
• Label the rolls if necessary, so you always know where to find your supplies.

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5. Biodegradable Plant Markers

Toilet paper rolls can also be repurposed as biodegradable plant markers for your garden. As they break down over time, the cardboard won’t contribute to plastic waste, and you can easily replace them throughout the season.

How to use them as plant markers:

• Cut the toilet roll into small rings.
• Write the name of the plant or seedling on the roll using a marker.
• Place the ring at the base of the plant or insert it slightly into the soil next to the plant.
• As the plant grows and the cardboard starts to break down, you can compost the remaining pieces and replace them with new markers if needed.

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6. Mulching Around Seedlings

Toilet rolls can be used as a temporary mulch around small plants or seedlings to help retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing close to the plant base.

The cardboard acts as a protective layer around the plant, ensuring the soil stays moist and reducing competition from weeds.

How to use them for mulching:

• Cut the toilet rolls lengthwise and flatten them out.
• Lay the flattened rolls around the base of your seedlings or small plants.
• Water the area well, and as the cardboard breaks down, it will help improve soil texture and add organic matter.

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7. Root Training for Deep-Rooted Plants

Toilet rolls can be used to train the roots of deep-rooted plants like beans, peas, or sunflowers.

By planting these seeds inside the rolls, you encourage the roots to grow downward, which can help the plants establish themselves more strongly once transplanted into the garden.

How to use them for root training:

• Fill toilet rolls with potting soil and plant seeds for deep-rooted plants.
• Water the seeds and keep them in a sunny location until the seedlings are ready for transplanting.
• When planting the seedlings in the garden, plant the entire toilet roll. The roll will guide the roots downward, ensuring they grow deep and strong.

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Empty toilet rolls may seem like waste, but they offer endless opportunities for improving your garden.

From helping you start seeds to protecting plants and boosting compost, these simple cardboard tubes can be repurposed in ways that benefit both your garden and the environment.

So the next time you finish a roll of toilet paper, save the cardboard tube and put it to good use in your garden!