Loo Rolls

[Jenegade]

I was wondering whether anyone uses loo rolls for starting seeds off, rather than root trainers? And do you think that you can get just as good crops starting them off in a loo roll?

I've been saving up loo roll for next Spring, but wondering if I should just buy some root trainers instead!

Thanks!

[emilymup]

Likewise! Am getting quite a collection of loo rolls! I have been told that parsnips and peas do well in loo rolls and that sweetcorn and beans in root trainers so thats what I'm going to try in the spring. I cannot wait to get going!

[Flummery]

I use them. I use root-trainers too but haven't got enough. The loo roll middles rot down fine in the soil. Trouble is, some people find they go a bit mouldy. Haven't had much problem with that. You can microwave them for a few secs (not long enough to set them on fire though!)

[Jenegade]

Maybe I should get a few rootrainers too, where's the best place to buy them from? I'm going to try sweetcorn next year, so would prob need them for them!

I don't have a microwave so can't sterilize them in there, prob not a good idea anyway, I've blown up several microwaves in the past! Do you think I could sterilize them in the oven? Or would I just set my flat on fire??!!

[womble]

I did parsnips and peas this year and they did very well. But when I ran out of loo rolls I used home made paper pots and they did just as well.
Just realised it was me that told emilymup.

I think most things would start off well in loo rolls.

[pdblake]

I use them too. They do go a bit mouldy sometimes but it's not a problem.

[Two_Sheds]

Maybe I should get a few rootrainers too, where's the best place to buy them from?

Mine were £8 from a garden centre.
you can get them from eBay too; 2 x Rootrainers (Deep) - Roottrainers, Root trainers on eBay, also Plastic, Pots Window Boxes Baskets, Garden Plants, Home Garden (end time 09-Dec-08 15:38:35 GMT)

[Alice]

The loo rolls work well Jenegade, but as said they can go mouldy if you get them too wet. It doesn't do any harm but doesn't look very nice.

[sharonr]

My loo rolls and kitchen roll tubes go to the gerbils, but i`ve heard that you can use newspaper rolled into tubes, I`m going to use that idea next year for my celary.

[Alice]

The newspaper pots work well Sharon. They hold their shape and are not easily spoiled by weather if outside.

[kitchengardner]

loo rolls

I use loo rolls for carrots, parsnips, peas, beans and sunflowers and they work great. They do go mouldy if overwatered but this poses no problem as long as they are well ventilated

I have done a head to head comparison with root trainers & loo rolls for parsnips and found no difference, except the price!

Kitchen Gardener

[BrideXIII]

I have loads of loo rolls saved, and am going to try newspaper pots as well, recycling at its best i think.

[Jenegade]

I'm hopeful that I'll get that paper potter for xmas, then I can recycle some old newspapers too!

Sounds like it's worth a try with the loo rolls, I'll just try not to let them get too wet!

Thanks for the advice

[Demeter]

You don't need a paper potter. A straight-sided tin or beaker will do the trick and save you a tenner...

1. Take one sheet of tabloid newspaper (or half a broadsheet) - fold lengthwise until you have a strip up to twice as wide as the height of your desired pot.

2. Wrap the paper strip around the beaker (using the beaker like a rolling pin, with some of the paper overhanging the edge so only part of it is actually wrapping the beaker) so you get a cylinder.

3. You can then fold the "overhang" of the paper over the bottom of the beaker to cover it - as if you were wrapping an Xmas pressie lol - you should end up with a pot-shaped paper on the beaker, which you can secure with tape if you wish. (NB don't put more than a little scrap of tape on, as it is not biodegradable)

4. Remove beaker, fill pot with compost.

Not sure how clear that all is, however once you've done one it is easy from then on in!

[BrideXIII]

You don't need a paper potter. A straight-sided tin or beaker will do the trick and save you a tenner...

1. Take one sheet of tabloid newspaper (or half a broadsheet) - fold lengthwise until you have a strip up to twice as wide as the height of your desired pot.

2. Wrap the paper strip around the beaker (using the beaker like a rolling pin, with some of the paper overhanging the edge so only part of it is actually wrapping the beaker) so you get a cylinder.

3. You can then fold the "overhang" of the paper over the bottom of the beaker to cover it - as if you were wrapping an Xmas pressie lol - you should end up with a pot-shaped paper on the beaker, which you can secure with tape if you wish. (NB don't put more than a little scrap of tape on, as it is not biodegradable)

4. Remove beaker, fill pot with compost.

Not sure how clear that all is, however once you've done one it is easy from then on in!

pefectly clear to me, for those not sure, good video here

How to Create Seed-Starting Pots From Newspapers | eHow.com

i have been practicing and have a dozen already lol.