Saturday, March 28, 2020

Recycled Toilet Paper Rolls For Gardening ~ Grow Your Own Food







     
I did this blog in 2014.
I'm revising it this year, 2020.


We are presently in a pandemic, Covid-19,
 and toilet paper has become a very
 popular item in our world.


Save your seeds from your tomatoes,
 cucumbers, peppers, etc., let them dry 
about a week, and plant them. 
I plant my seeds in starter pots made
from toilet paper and Scott Towel paper rolls.

It may not be easy to buy seedlings
this year and planting your own
 may be safer than going to a garden
 centre, if they are open... Plus it's
 a great idea to use up the massive
 amounts of toilet paper rolls that
 people are consuming. It's recycling,
 they are biodegradable and economical.







I put them in a large aluminum pan
 (a baking pan) that has a clear plastic cover on top.
This acts like a greenhouse and will keep in the moisture
until the plants are tall enough to remove it.











A lot of land isn't necessary to grow vegetables.
Vegetables can be planted in pots, on balconies
 or among flowers, and there's a lot of health 
benefits in growing your own food, including
mental health.


********************

Cardboard is better than plastic.
Plastic is not good for the environment
and does not decompose.

Scott Towel and toilet paper rolls.

 
             
 Here's how I make the seedling pots:

Flatten the roll and make it square






Cut about 3/4 inch down each corner.


fold the corners interlocking







After filling the pots with soil, dampen the soil 
with water before planting the seeds.
(I need something with a small spout to water with
so I used this watering cup.)



I place the seed on top of the moist soil,
spray the seed with water,
and cover the seeds with 
a thin layer of soil.





About a week later





When the danger of frost has passed, 
I plant them in larger pots or my garden.
 In my colder region,
of Eastern Quebec, it is usually in June. 
I live in horticulture zone 4b.


Most of my flowers are perennials.
Below are 2 of my favourite annuals,
 I usually start indoors.

Heliotrope - an annual purple/blue 
flower with a vanilla scent, smells so nice.
The flowers dry to seeds that can be 
planted the next year. 



I like this plant in pots at the entrance.
Gives off a nice scent.
It also is a deterrent for mosquitos.


Amarante - Love Lies Bleeding,
 an annual flower also.

When the tassels hanging start to turn brown,
it's time to collect the seed. 



I plant these in an old barrel.
A cucumber plant hanging out.
Do you see the cucumber?

Tomatoes and Turnip


My little garden, If I'm able to get back home this Summer, I will enlarge it.
In the distance, is my rhubarb.


I am planning on enlarging my 
vegetable garden this year.
I did buy these seeds,
before this pandemic started.

Anyone in Quebec, I bought these at Canac Hardware Store.
They are open, (essential stores).
They were 49cent at the time.
Wish I had bought more.


Yellow and Green String Beans



For the first time I will try brussell sprouts and
these small sweet turnips 


One of my seed catalogues.

Order you seeds by mail



A nice variety of flowers and vegetables.



Rhubarb.
Squash and Pumpkins
Strawberries

Happy Gardening!
Stay home and stay safe.


Thanks to  The Sherbrooke Record 
newspaper for publishing this article:




Thanks for visiting xo



11 comments:

  1. Wonderful thing to do with the end of the toilet paper roll,It will get another chance to do something good for the earth for planting seeds instead of the recycle (HaHa). A very good Idea 😁 very good Blog Thel. 💖💖

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  2. This is really brilliant! As one person, I don't go through a lot -- but I'll be saving. I've been thinking of the planting these days, as it begins to get a little nicer here in Michigan and we see things popping up. Thinking I should order seeds since I am not supposed to go out. Wondering if by the time the ground is ready for starters, maybe I can go out or send someone? A dilemma. This would be a productive way to start. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jeanie. If you have tomatoes and cucumbers from the store, that you like, you can save the seeds and plant them. We're living in a terrible times. I order my food from the store and will be picking it up today. Someone will have to put it in my car trunk and then I have to go through the process on how to make it safe. Take care and stay safe. Thelma xo

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  3. Hello sweet lady !
    What a fantastic idea to use and recicle the toilet paper rolls, specially for planting.
    Wish there was blog 20 years ago when we lived in a farm, but how wonderful for the younger people, so many brilliant ideas !
    Keep safe and blessings,
    Fabby

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your visit Fabby, Stay safe and well. xo

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  4. Like you we have been spending our time planning and now starting to set seeds. We too use the toilet roll and kitchen roll for the seeds. Stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Perfect smile for something NEW about Toilet Paper. LOL, I've used lots of things to start plants in, now I will add these rolls to my list of useables. Sandi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your visit Sandi. Stay well.

      Delete
  6. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could actually grow the toilet paper? (Ha Ha)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, that would be nice. Maybe one day LOL

      Delete

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