Reuse Toilet Paper Rolls in Garden

A gardening expert suggests saving empty toilet paper rolls for several practical uses in the garden. Laura Walters, a Content Editor at Gardening Know How, details four ways to turn this common household waste into useful tools for plant protection, seed starting, pollinator support, and composting.

Stop Hungry Pests

Cardboard tubes can act as protective collars for vulnerable plants. Seedlings are especially at risk from pests like cutworms and slugs, which can sever stems overnight. Placing a roll around a young plant's stem creates a physical barrier.

For squash plants threatened by vine borers, a lengthwise-cut roll wrapped around the base of the stem offers protection. Covering this roll with tin foil and pushing it slightly into the soil provides further defense. An earwig trap can be made by filling a roll with a damp paper towel and placing it near affected plants. Captured earwigs can then be disposed of in soapy water.

Start Seedlings

Using toilet paper rolls as biodegradable seed pots is a popular, cost-saving hack. However, some rolls contain glue that slows decomposition, which can lead to restricted, circling roots if planted directly.

The solution is to cut slits into the sides of the rolls before filling them with a high-quality seed starting mix. When seedlings are ready for transplanting outdoors, the rolls can be peeled back along these slits to free the roots and encourage proper growth into the native soil.

Turn Them Into a Bee Hotel

Gardeners can support pollinators by constructing simple bee hotels from toilet paper rolls. The method involves gathering hollow stems, such as bamboo, and packing them inside the cardboard tubes.

Several filled rolls can be tied together with twine to create a larger structure. The exterior can be decorated with paint or reinforced with colorful tape. These hotels should be placed near plants that attract pollinators or hung in trees to offer resting spots.

Add Them to the Compost Bin

Toilet paper rolls, typically made from plain cardboard, are an excellent source of brown material for a compost pile or tumbler. Adding this carbon-rich element helps balance the compost mix.

For faster breakdown, it is recommended to cut or tear the rolls into smaller pieces before adding them to the bin. Like other uncolored paper products, they decompose readily, turning waste into garden nutrient.

Laura Walters, who has been gardening for a decade, provides these tips through Gardening Know How. She notes that the rolls are a prime material for composting, helping to keep this common waste out of landfills.