Gardeners are being encouraged to save their toilet roll tubes this autumn, as the humble cardboard cylinders can serve multiple practical purposes in the garden during the colder months.
Horticultural specialist Ish, who shares advice on social media under the handle @gardening.with.ish, explained in a video that the tubes should not be thrown away because they can be highly beneficial outdoors. He detailed four distinct ways to use them.
Combat Weeds and Protect Plants
One of the main uses is as a weed barrier. By cutting a tube so it lies flat on the ground, it can stop weeds from pushing up through the soil. Ish said: "Cut up one of these tubes, and lay it flat on the ground, and all of a sudden you've got yourself a really good weed membrane and that, over the next few months, will slowly break down."
He added: "But, while it's been doing that, it's protecting your plants from any weeds growing up. You can also plant this underneath your plant beds, and that will also protect anything from growing through."
Thermal Protection and Seedling Pods
With frost expected to arrive soon, flattened toilet rolls can act as a thermal layer. Ish noted: "As a benefit of doing it around about now is that it works as a really good thermal layer for things like frost."
For those preparing seeds, the tubes make effective seedling pods. Because they are made of thin cardboard, Ish described them as "fantastic" as they break down naturally. Seeds can be started in the tubes for the first three or four weeks, then transferred with the tube into a larger pot or directly into the ground, where it will decompose by the time the plant matures.
Composting Benefits
Toilet rolls also contribute to homemade compost. Ish said: "Now, if you're trying to start to make your own compost, these work absolutely fantastic too. Simply just chuck the tubes in, and pile that down with layers of organic material."
He added: "The worms absolutely love this stuff - it will break away and give you some pretty good compost."
