What am I supposed to use loo rolls inner tubes for again? I thought it was for planting my beans in before they go in the ground but now I see I should be saving them for my parsnips, but I don’t know why.
Anyone want to give me a list of useful things to do with loo rolls.
if you want to start off parsnips in modules rather than direct sowing, then loo rolls are just the thing because parsnips have a long tap root which doesnt want to be disturbed too much when transplanting. so thats why loo rolls for them. other things which are good for loo rolls are sweetcorn (same reason as parsnips) and any beans just because they are a convenient size and cheaper than pots. sweetpeas too. one thing to remember is thatt when you plant intot he ground there is no need to remove the loo roll but do make sure it is all below the surface; i usually cut down one side just to allow it to spread.
I am using mine for onion seedlings and leeks. Yesterday I pricked out about 60 giant onion seedlings and set them in individual loo rolls. I am also planning to use them for parnsips and sweet peas.
Consider loo roll tubes as a *Poor (Wo)man's Rootrainer* ;D
I am collecting a load from work for my sweet peas!
Old Bird
;D
Gosh hun I usr them for most things, I tend to lose a lot of pots as I grow for an organic garden as well. So instead of paying out for more I get the neighbours to save them for me, Ive pricked out lettuce into them as well as most of my other veg.
For lettuce I cut the loo roll in half so I get 2 little pots..........how many lettuce? Well last year FAR TOO MANY ;D ;D ;D
I have been collecting my loo rolls for arts and crafts with my boys, but have far to many, I do like the idea of starting the parsnips in them and the corn so I will def be trying that
I'm going to use them for surrounding my leeks once planted out, gives them a bit of protection and....i hope....blanched stems.
........living a solitary, if not constipated, life ::)...I've not saved many loo rolls in the past, BUT when I have....a question....how do you keep them upright when filled? They fall over in trad. pre-formed shapes, etc......so what's the knack here, please?
Tha 'knack' is to put them in a seed-box or tupperwary thingy.... ;)
Alishka if you want some i could post em to you
Deb's! You really are some-thing else!! Flogging off all your second hand loo-rolls......... :P
I use them for all the beans and sweet corn. If I could ever collect enough (People give me funny looks at work) I'd probably use them for a lot more.
I'd never thought of parsnips, but that's a good one.
Alishka_Maxwell
You can get 24 in a standard seed tray, or use one of the 24 hole tray inserts.
The thing to do is use more loo paper. Don't economise. Be generous. ;D ;D ;D ;D
i always have a problem with the mould that forms when growing in loo rolls. i have heard on here that it isnt really worthworrying about but... i dont like mould much. is there a way of preventing the mould? is it really ok? ???
I use plastic washing up bowls to stand the loo rolls in as they give better support than seed trays. They also transport better, in the car to the lottie. If you do have to buy them try the pound shops. I got 2 for a £1.
Quote from: sarah on February 17, 2008, 12:34:41
i always have a problem with the mould that forms when growing in loo rolls. i have heard on here that it isnt really worthworrying about but... i dont like mould much. is there a way of preventing the mould? is it really ok? ???
Don't worry about it. It does happen-paper+soil+water will create mould. It won't bother the plants. Ignore it.
Ken.
someone on here, can't recall the name, said a used teabag at the bottom stops the compost falling through, going to try it this year for my sunflowers ;D
Don't bother, Mani'...if you put your rolls into a tray the soil isn't going anywhere. When it comes to planting out, you'll find the roots will give the soil enough support between tray and planting hole. Honest... ;)
Quote from: manicscousers on February 17, 2008, 17:56:00
someone on here, can't recall the name, said a used teabag at the bottom stops the compost falling through, going to try it this year for my sunflowers ;D
might it have been me? I remember doing it (the one and only time I tried using the darned things) :-\
could've been alishka..no use ??
oh yes, I remember it did the trick - just that I didn't rate the loo rolls method, is all.
ah, I've done it for leeks, worked okay apart from the mould..might go back to the rootrainers ;D
Quote from: Alishka_Maxwell on February 16, 2008, 20:17:14
a question....how do you keep them upright when filled? They fall over in trad. pre-formed shapes, etc......so what's the knack here, please?
Form them into a circle and tie them together, one in the middle too helps keep the circle. 8)
Oh flip, Lauren!....it's all so simple now you've come up with that :-[
;D
Quote from: caseylee on February 16, 2008, 17:17:31
I have been collecting my loo rolls for arts and crafts with my boys, but have far to many, I do like the idea of starting the parsnips in them and the corn so I will def be trying that
I started corn in loo rolls last year and some in plastic pots. The ones in the rolls did not do well, so this year I will stick to pots for the corn
Quote from: Alishka_Maxwell on February 18, 2008, 21:13:59
Oh flip, Lauren!....it's all so simple now you've come up with that :-[
;D
I'm glad it worked for you too ;D
:) Put most of mine in my composter.... so I have a mix of browns (IE cardboard) along with the greens..... also use egg boxes and kitchen roll tubes.... but will save some of them now for the brilliant ideas already on this thread!!
(http://www.animated-gifs.eu/insects-ladybirds/0057.gif)
If you thread them onto string you can hang them up out of the way either in your greenhouse or shed.
When the kids are bored on rainy holidays, you can get them to decorate the loo roll tubes, then hang the *art* up as previously mentioned. ;D
Remember a week or two ago Bob Flowerdew was going on about some of the toilet rolls inner tubes containing fungicides that might stop seeds germinating.
I use them with mixed success so maybe he's right, I'd love to know the brands that use chemicals.
I have my sweet peas in "tesco value" loo roll tubes.
So far have 54 of 64 germinated :)
We only have el cheapo loo roll lol, as son likes to use 10 times what he needs! >:(
I order stationery and stuff for work. Just this week ordered some horrendous recycled loo paper 48 rolls for £9. Stupid silly little rolls which won't last a day apiece at work - but I will get a HUGE supply of roll innards!
Old Bird ;D
I'm with Aromatic, straight in the compost with the peelings. ;D ;D ;D
Interesting about toilet roll manufacturers using fungicides :( I try always to buy the recycled brands, but suspect now that these might be thought to require more. Like bleaches in tea bags, the chemical industry in Britain gets away with murder.
In the past I've had a problem with the comspost falling out of them whilst planting, so I'm experimenting this year with this nifty trick:
(http://bp2.blogger.com/_edgid1i_TvU/R9h8FGIQGkI/AAAAAAAABhw/PVFMh6VjTGc/s400/allotment+002.JPG)
Click below to see how I did it (Honest, it's far simpler than it looks!):
How to seal the end of a card tube in three easy steps: http://plot61a.blogspot.com/2008/03/breaking-code.html (http://plot61a.blogspot.com/2008/03/breaking-code.html)
How easy is that?..........Thanks for showing and sharing Tishop ;D ;D ;D ;)