Loo Rolls

[BrideXIII]

I think everyone should experiment with loo rolls and newspaper pots, it's free so it can't hurt to try it! I'm just going to be careful with my watering so they don't get too mouldy!!

well i juststarted some more beans off in some loo rolls, so i'll let you know if they start growing penicillin instead.

[emilymup]

They only go mouldy if you over-water them.

I microwave mine for a minute before planting them up (to kill any fungi)... they've been fine.

Can I have the recipe for microwaving your loo rolls Do you do say half a dozen at the time for a minute or one at a time for a minute or so. I have got loads so far so had better start cooking!!

[kate&rob]

i used loo rolls for my sweetcorn as they don't like their roots disturbing alegedly, i've had no problems with them at all, even with a bit of mould, i'll try microwaving this year. thanks to those who gave details of how to make paper pots, i too have looked at the expensive wooden things on sale, but wont bother now!

[Nicola.P]

Is it bad that I just rumaged through our kitchen bin to dig out all the yoghurt pots my boyfriend has thrown away?

[pdblake]

I have a bin bag full of yoghurt pots(modules) in the shed, another full of loo rolls (root trainers) and a big pile of plastic cartons(seed/module trays) and squash bottles (mini cloches)

[Nicola.P]

I have some 2 litre bottles in the fridge that I have my eye on.
I went to the garden centre the other day and in a big bin outside they had lots of clear plastic trays I was going to steal for use as a propagator, but there were lots of people around and i was too embarrased to steal them.

[Jenegade]

I made a newspaper pot with a jar last night, it's quite therapeutic really! Thanks for the great tips on making newspaper pots!! Will have a look at my loo roll colection later, see how its going, also got a good plastic bottle collection, don't eat yoghurts unfortunately!

Any other tips on things that can be recycled for gardening?

[BrideXIII]

I made a newspaper pot with a jar last night, it's quite therapeutic really! Thanks for the great tips on making newspaper pots!! Will have a look at my loo roll colection later, see how its going, also got a good plastic bottle collection, don't eat yoghurts unfortunately!

Any other tips on things that can be recycled for gardening?

anything that come in a plastic container, including takeways, for some reason although i can never afford one, we have hundreds ( blame occasional OH), anything that holds compost and you can puck a hole through

other handy tip is glass jars, upside down on top of small pots as a mini greenhouse, works a treat, and can be used for pickles later.

[crazy_red]

So, how do you go about picklin' these mini-greenhouses then, Bride?

Can I have a recipe?



*sorry...couldn't resist*

[womble]

I have some 2 litre bottles in the fridge that I have my eye on.
I went to the garden centre the other day and in a big bin outside they had lots of clear plastic trays I was going to steal for use as a propagator, but there were lots of people around and i was too embarrased to steal them.

Absolutely definitely ask there, alot of GC's have that "bin" outside to allow folks to take whatever they want.

[stella]

How do you make newspaper pots? It would be a good way of use up all the free papers that come through my door.
Stella

[kitchengardner]

free stuff

I have some 2 litre bottles in the fridge that I have my eye on.
I went to the garden centre the other day and in a big bin outside they had lots of clear plastic trays I was going to steal for use as a propagator, but there were lots of people around and i was too embarrased to steal them.

Wyevale's usually run a recycling box outside their stores for people to put trays, pots etc to be recycled. If you ask in the store they are usually happy to let you help yourself but it is a good idea to wash them in a good disinfectant just in case

For a cheap propagator tray a large mushroom tray with clingfilm over it (but leave a small ventilation hole). Or if you can find them the clear plastic punnets that supermarkets sell fruit make great propagator lids or seedling cloches. If you use them as cloches heat an old screwdriver blade and melt a couple of holes on the rim so you can peg them down with tent pegs

Hope this helps

Kitchen Gardener

[Demeter]

How do you make newspaper pots? It would be a good way of use up all the free papers that come through my door.
Stella

There are some instructions further down the thread.
If I've done it right this should take you straight to my post:
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tml#post312440

Another post includes a link to a video and alternative origami instructions

[kate&rob]

made some of the square ones tonight, they look really good with their handles on the side.

[womble]

I never have bothered doing anything to loo rolls (besides we haven't got a microwave anyway ) and I never have any problems, sometimes you get a small amount of fur, but just close your eyes for a few days and it goes away.
One thing you must be careful of when planting loo rolls, keep the level of the cardboard at the same level as the soil, otherwise the cardboard acts as a wick drawing up the moisture, drying out the soil.

Re parsnips, I think it is best to wait until the parsnips have grown out of the compost and plant outside as quickly as possible, the main tap root goes down very very fast.