Creating Paper Seed Pots from Toilet Paper Rolls

Paper pots (Photo: INSTRUCTABLES(CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Easy to do and great way to start seeds!

Materials:  Toilet paper rolls and scissors

Paper seed pots are not only economical and thrifty but also reduce environmental waste plus make transferring seedlings to the garden easy. Once in the garden, the biodegradable cardboard tubes will fully decompose in soil. This means that when it's time for planting out, the roll and its seedling can be transplanted together, reducing transplantation shock and potential root damage. This is particularly useful for plants that develop long taproots such as milkweed, root vegetables, sunflowers, and herbs such as parsley and dill.

They are good to use in recycled containers for winter sowing. (See the eBlog  post for Winter Sowing).

For shorter pots, cut the roll in half across the middle.

Fold the roll in half one way. Then, fold it in half the other way, so the creases from the last fold line up and to make a square. It works best if you press a ruler or pencil side along the creases to make them sharper.

Make a 1/4 -1/2” slit up the 4 corner folds to make 4 flaps. Fold the flaps in to create a bottom. Press the bottom against a firm surface.

Stand them up and fill with potting soil and add your seeds. In a winter sowing jug be sure to bring the soil up and around the tubes and even with the top.

When seedlings are ready to transplant, be sure to bury the tube in the ground so the edge is below the soil surface. 

CKagan, Master Gardener

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