Empty toilet rolls might seem like trash, but they’re actually an eco-friendly and versatile resource for your garden. Repurposing them can help you save money, reduce waste, and improve your gardening efforts. Here are seven clever ways to reuse toilet rolls in the garden:
1. Seed Starters
Toilet rolls make excellent biodegradable seed-starting pots, allowing you to plant directly into the ground without disturbing the roots.
How to Use:
- Cut each roll in half or leave it full-length for deeper roots.
- Fill with potting soil and plant seeds.
- Place them in a tray and water gently. Once the seedlings sprout, plant the whole roll in the garden. The cardboard will decompose naturally.
2. Plant Markers
Toilet rolls can be cut into strips and used as temporary plant markers.
How to Use:
- Write the name of the plant or crop on a strip of cardboard and place it near the seedling or pot.
- It’s a great biodegradable option for short-term marking.
3. Bug Hotels
Provide a safe haven for beneficial insects like ladybugs, solitary bees, and lacewings, which help pollinate plants and control pests.
How to Use:
- Pack several toilet rolls tightly into a small box or container.
- Fill the rolls with natural materials like straw, twigs, and dried leaves.
- Place the bug hotel in a sheltered garden spot.
4. Compost Additive
Toilet rolls break down easily in compost, adding carbon-rich material to balance nitrogen-rich waste like kitchen scraps.
How to Use:
- Tear or shred toilet rolls into small pieces and mix them into your compost pile. This helps improve aeration and speeds up decomposition.
5. Protect Seedlings
Young seedlings can be vulnerable to pests and harsh weather. Toilet rolls act as protective collars to shield them.
How to Use:
- Place a toilet roll around the base of each seedling to prevent slugs, snails, and wind damage.
6. Weed Barrier
Cardboard toilet rolls can be used as a simple weed barrier in the garden by suppressing unwanted growth around plants.
How to Use:
- Flatten the rolls and place them around the base of plants or under mulch. The cardboard blocks sunlight, preventing weeds from sprouting, and eventually decomposes into the soil.
7. DIY Bird Feeders
Attract birds to your garden with a homemade bird feeder crafted from toilet rolls.
How to Use:
- Spread peanut butter or honey on the outside of a toilet roll.
- Roll it in birdseed until fully coated.
- Slide the roll onto a branch or garden hook.
Bonus Tip: Organize Small Tools or Supplies
In addition to gardening tasks, toilet rolls can help you keep small gardening tools, ties, or seeds organized in your shed or toolbox.
Final Thoughts
Repurposing toilet rolls in your garden is an easy, cost-effective way to practice sustainability while improving your gardening experience. Give these creative ideas a try and turn everyday waste into valuable garden tools! 🌱♻️