Paper Seed Markers

Hello,

I've posted a couple of easy gardening Instructables before. Back in '07 I posted a Soda Bottle seed starting Instructable, the sandwich bag seed starter & propagating succulent cuttings Instructable.

Today I'm posting another easy one that was pretty popular on my urban gardening blog and thought I'd re-shoot some images and make it an Instructable here. You've probably seen empty toilet paper tubes used to start seeds indoors--but I've discovered that they are just as useful outdoors when you are sowing seeds directly into the ground. This method helps me remember what I planted and where and saves on watering.

All you need are some seeds, a pair of scissors, empty toilet paper tubes and a desire to garden. You start by cutting the tube into sections like in the image attached.

Step 1: Placing Seed Markers

Once you've cut your tubes into sections insert them into the ground at recommended planting distances for whatever seeds you are sowing. Generally, on the back of a seed packet you'll find recommended planting distances and depths for whatever seeds you bought.

If I don't have the original seed packet I will usually just space them about an inch or two apart. Depending on the seed I will usually place two seeds per section in case one dies or gets eaten by garden pests or succumbs to disease.

Comments

[passionfortrashin]

I really love this idea!

[sojeo]

I wonder if these would prevent cutworms from destroying plants? I think I will give it a try!

[jensenr30]

what are cut worms? I have had worms destroying my onions for days now! every night when the worms come out, they crawl around and pull my onions' nice green stalks underground (presumably by accident)

[sojeo]

Here are what cutworms look like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutworm. They do a lot of damage, then there are wireworms http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Click_beetle. We have both in our garden, they make a mess of things. I thought that maybe the toilet paper rolls could help protect the plants since they just go after them right under the soil or just at soil level. This wouldn't prevent slugs, they are another problem I run into but ashes will take care of them.

[mcbeth53]

I think I'll try this!  I 'll write the plant name and date on the ring in Sharpie as well....I seem to have a problem remembering what I planted and when.  Thank you for a great idea.

 

[johnwh]

This is a great idea. What a good way to get kids involved in the garden. They can help weed at a younger age since the plants should be inside the tubes and the weeds on the outside :)

[dirtdigger]

Aw, we meet again Mr. Brown Thumb- great idea!

[ChrysN]

Yay! You found a use for empty toilet paper rolls. That's a cool idea!

[MrBrownThumb]

Thanks.

[wazzup105]

I use cut up toilet rolls as an indoor seed started (filled with some dirt). After the seeds come up I plant the whole thing outside. Never thought on using it straight outside...

[MrBrownThumb]

Hi, I use the same technique for seed starting too. When I took outside one day I got the idea to just start outside and skip the indoor step.

[twiztedreams]

awesome idea! I never much liked the idea of using them to go around plants indoors because they would always gets soggy and fall apart. Outside, who cares! Great job!

[MrBrownThumb]

Thanks.

[Earthmother1947]

I've been using straws cut in half and placed near where I planted the seeds but I like your idea much better! Thank you so much for sharing.

[MrBrownThumb]

Thanks for the comment. The straw idea is pretty good too.