Loo Rolls????

[squashysu]

I see lots of people saying about using loo rolls, can someone please explain about what you use loo rolls for and how?

Thanks
SS

[robD]

Planting stuff that doesn't like root disturbance when transplanted - the toilet roll just rots away when planted out. I plant a lot of my beans this way. Also, anything else when I've run out of plant pots

[Alison]

We are obviously very economical on loo roll in our house as, even if I collected a whole year's worth supply I still wouldn't have enough to plant up anything meaningful! Suppose there's just the two of us and we're usually out all day but I find that newspaper pots are better for small seeds and use and reuse root trainers for beans etc.

[squashysu]

thanks rob

but sorry to seem unbright lol x how are they used, like plant pots? can they go around carrots to stop carrot fly??? when in the ground, do you put a base in them? sorry i just cant work it out, but with 3 kids we use loads so they will be in plentiful supply lol .

cheers
SS

[Alison]

You simply use them in the same way as peat pots, expect they're free! Plant them up inside without worrying about the bottoms, just put them on a tray of some sort. Then you can plant them out with them fully buried and the cardboard will gradually decay into the soil. Don't worry about the bottom, the roots will grow down and out the sides throught the softened cardboard. Obviously you can't reuse them again but if you've got loads then it's a good option for you.

[terrier]

Squashysu, you just fill the card rolls with compost and support them in a tray/ice cream carton or whatever you have available. You'll need to water a little more than in plastic pots becaust the water is wicked away by the card. When you plant out, you put the whole thing in the ground and in theory the loo roll should decompose in the wet soil. If you want to make newspaper pots, use a loo roll as a former to wrap the paper round (about 3 times)like making christmas crackers. leave an inch or so overlap of paper at the end of the tube and fold that in to make the pot base. Get the idea?

[squashysu]

thanks guys

thats great, i will defo try this then because i like recycling and an excellent idea and its free and as the kids go through a roll a day its like i might as well!!

i will put my carrots in them i think and some others as well.

Thanks again

SS

[robD]

Yes they do dry out quite quick. Also when you plant them out give them a good soaking first to help the paper/card rot away faster.

We obviously aren't that economical in our house, I've got loads - but then we've got two small children who use the stuff like it's going out of fashion!

[Bren In Pots]

Don't forget you can also use kitchen roll tubes but cut in half

[HeyWayne]

Don't forget you can also use kitchen roll tubes but cut in half

Make sure you get a responsible adult to help you though!

I failed my first time last year to get any parsnips to germinate. This year I adopted the loo-roll method and a heated propagator, and here are my little beauties:

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l7...t/IMG_1587.jpg

[Bren In Pots]

Looking good HeyWayne, I only started my seeds off yesterday hope I've not left it too late.

[mclarenpitcrew]

We grew last years Sweetcorn and Beans in toilet and kitchen rolls, snuggled up in an ice cream tub with a clear plastic tomato punnet over the top. when planting out we just planted the whole thing and forgot about it. It took up less space than a tray of pots as well.

[mrs dog]

I've collected a handful (!) of loo rolls and duly put compost in. I've put 2 peas to a roll is that too much or should it be ok. Never have much success with peas as there is a mouse next door who thinks I grow them just for him"