Using toilet roll tubes for seeds question (MERGED)

robnye

having read this..... i have been meaning to do something green....i have several packets of seeds gather over the months, so will now gather up all teabags and used toilet rolls and do something positive

ghp

I'm impatiently waiting for more empty toilet roll tubes!

demented_2

Hi, I have used toilet rolls for sweetpeas and also for runnerbeans, they do really well as you don't have to disturb the roots when you plant them out into their final growing place. I also put old used teabags in the bottom of the toilet rolls and then put the soil in half way up the tube, put in the seed/s and top up with soil. when you plant them out into the final growing place, don't forget to make sure that the top of the toilet roll is completely covered, because if it isn't the top of the exposed bit of T.R will act as a wick and will dry out really quickly. My sweet peas are really taking off now and look quite healthy.

ghp

Thanks for the info about planting out, demented. I wuldn't have thought about the plants drying out if the toilet roll was above the surface of the soil.

I've sown two peas per tube and I'm watering them from the bottom to stop them from getting waterlogged.

I'm planning on doing the same thing with broad beans once I get enough tubes together.

Trishh_2

Broad beans do great sown this way, ghp. I've done mine this way (sown last month) they're about 6" tall now and ready for going out on the lottie ...if we ever get any let up from the rain! I've got mange tout, peas & french beans on the go in the same way :beer:

Farway

ghp wrote: »

I'm impatiently waiting for more empty toilet roll tubes!

Have a curry;)

Primrose

I've just tried this method for the first time for growing parsnips as we have stoney soil, having soaked the seeds first on wet tissue paper until they started to push out a tiny shoot. My first green parsnips shoots are just showing through. It's supposed to be an ideal way of growing things which don't like root disturbance because you simply plant the whole carboard roll and gradually when it's in situ it rots away. It would be good for sweet peas and sweet corn too as they don't like their roots to be disturbed. Empty kitchen roll holders are good too. Just cut them in two.

sarahpeck

I use this method every year and have no problems. Yes they get a bit soggy when you water them and yes they get a little mouldy sometimes but it hasn't effected anything I've grown. If I get a bit impatient waiting for more rolls I tend to plant up half trays as you only need 12 rolls to fill one of these and it's seems to satisfy me until I have some more to plant. Helps with succession planting too.
My kids are always bringing home toilet and kitchen rolls for me it's become a bit of a laugh!

ghp

Trishh wrote: »

Broad beans do great sown this way, ghp. I've done mine this way (sown last month) they're about 6" tall now and ready for going out on the lottie ...if we ever get any let up from the rain! I've got mange tout, peas & french beans on the go in the same way :beer:

Thanks Trishh. I sowed a few today - hope they're not too late.

RAS

I put 6-8 in one of the punnets that you get peaches and things in, depending on the size - holds them upright and stops the soil falling out in the early days.