The Unexpected Reason You Should Start Burying Toilet Paper Rolls In Your Garden

After you're done with a roll of toilet paper, it usually goes straight into the trash or recycling bin. But if you love gardening, you might want to hold onto it. As it turns out, these cardboard tubes can actually come in handy outdoors. They have found a second life in garden beds, not just as compost, but as a simple way to give your plants a cleaner, stronger start.

One of the easiest ways to reuse them is by burying them straight into your garden beds. When you bury them next to your plants, the toilet paper rolls break down slowly, feeding the soil as they go. That gives microbes and earthworms something to chew on, and both are great news for your plants. They can also help the soil retain moisture, especially in newly planted areas or dry spots. And while they're decomposing, they act as a short-term barrier that can block light from reaching weed seeds and slow down unwanted growth.

They also serve as a physical barrier for young seedlings. Moths often lay eggs near plant stems, while cutworms chew through tender shoots at the base. When placed around the stem, the cardboard forms a physical barrier that blocks these harmful insects that damage crops from getting too close. This works especially well during the early stages of growth, when seedlings are most at risk. As the rolls soften and break down, the plant grows stronger, and by the time the barrier is no longer needed, the cardboard has already started to disappear into the soil.

Using toilet paper rolls in the garden is as easy as digging a hole and dropping them in. You can bury them whole near seedlings, layer them between rows, or tear them into pieces and scatter them throughout your garden bed. They work especially well in dry spots or areas where your soil needs a little extra structure and organic matter. Try not to let them get too soggy if you live in a humid environment, though. Soaking wet cardboard can slow things down and might even invite mold. 

If composting is more your thing, toilet paper rolls are great for that, too. They're carbon-rich, which helps balance out all the fruit and veggie scraps in your pile. Just tear them into smaller pieces before tossing them in — that way, they break down faster and mix more evenly. When added in the right way, they break down easily and give your compost a solid boost.

You can also use toilet paper rolls as seed starters. Fold the bottom to make a base, fill it with soil, and drop in your seeds. Cut the rolls into 3- or 4-inch sections, snip the ends, and fold to close. Place them in a tray, fill with seed-starting mix, then place that tray in bright, indirect light. A sunny windowsill works well as long as it's not too hot. Take care of them just like you would take care of any other seeds you're starting indoors. If any cardboard sticks out above the soil, tear it off so it doesn't draw moisture away from the roots.