Seed starters the easy way

Last fall I started saving cardboard toilet paper tubes. We had guests for Thanksgiving and guests for Christmas, so we went through a whole lot of toilet paper. Which means I have a whole lot of toilet paper tubes.

I thought I might save them to give to the kids for crafts later. Then I stumbled onto this idea - using them to make seed starters!

You can purchase trays to start your seeds, or you can use material you've already paid for when you bought toilet paper. I know which one I'd rather use.

It's really very simple. All you need are toilet paper tubes and a pair of scissors.

Start by cutting the tube in half width-wise.


Then make four 1-inch .cuts around the tube.


Fold the cut cardboard down like you would to make a box.


Press the folds down firmly.


Here's what it looks like on the inside.


If you're going to make several of these, do each step for all the tubes at one time. Cut all the tubes in half, then cut slits in all the tubes, then fold them all down. It saves so much time instead of doing each one individually. In no time at all, you'll have a pile of seed starters.


Now you're ready to fill them with potting soil and get those seeds started! Spring will be here before you know it, so now is the time to get ready.

I'm going to start some tomatoes, peppers, beans and sunflowers this weekend. And the kids are going to help. It's just that easy to get seeds started.

For more helpful tips, head on over to We are THAT Family's Works for Me Wednesday.