7 Brilliant Paper Towel Hacks To Use In The Garden

Most people keep paper towels in the kitchen, but did you know they can be used in the garden as well? In fact, they are one of the common household items you should be repurposing in your yard and garden to optimize your planting and growing process. While they won't be cleaning up messes like they might be in the kitchen, they have many handy uses outside. From germinating seeds and boosting compost to protecting plants from sneaky garden pests, these paper towel hacks will become your greatest gardening tools.

Reusing things like paper towels and paper towel rolls in the garden is a great way to save money on new gardening tools. And they say time is money, so being able to skip a trip to your local garden center is an extra bonus. The best part, though, is that it's also good for the environment. Anytime you can keep waste out of the landfill, the better. Of course, you can just toss old paper towels in the trash, but since it's biodegradable, you might as well put it to good use outside, knowing it will break down and give your garden a boost.

One way to germinate seeds is the paper towel method. It's a simple paper towel trick that makes testing seeds for viability a breeze. Start by wetting the paper towel and laying it flat. Place the seeds on half of the paper towel, allowing for a bit of space between them. Fold the other half of the paper towel over the seeds and put the whole thing in a plastic baggie or small container. Set it where it will get light and warmth. In a few days you'll see the seeds sprouting and you can plant them.

Making your own containers is the paper towel roll hack that makes starting seeds for your garden even easier. When you've used all the paper towels, cut the cardboard roll into rings and place them on a tray. Fill them with soil or seed-starter mix, moisten with water, and plant the seeds according to the direction on the seed packets. Paper towel rolls are compostable and will decompose in the garden naturally so you can plant the whole thing in the ground once the seeds sprout and you won't disturb the roots.

Paper towel rolls work well as spacers in the garden whether you're planting seeds directly in the ground or you're planting newly sprouted seedlings. Cut the roll to size and place them upright in the ground, spaced according to the specific seeds you're planting. Fill them with soil and plant the seeds or seedlings, then water them. They will keep the plants spaced correctly and, over time, the paper towel roll will decompose since it's biodegradable. They will also act as a protective barrier for the new growth.

Earthworms are great for the garden. As they burrow along, they improve soil aeration and make nutrients more accessible to plants. And as it turns out, worms love cardboard. One way to keep them happy in the garden is to place a paper towel roll directly into the soil. You can cut them into smaller chunks and bury them in the areas you want to attract worms. As you water the garden, any pieces that don't get eaten up by the worms will eventually decompose into the ground.

Compost is a great addition to the garden, as it improves the condition of the soil by aerating it and elevating its nutrient density. Luckily, it's easy to make your own DIY compost, saving you time and money at the garden center while giving your plants a boost. And paper towel rolls work great in the compost bin since, as mentioned, they will decompose naturally. Cut or tear them into smaller pieces and place them directly into the compost bin. When the compost is ready, you can use it in the garden to mix into the soil.

Any time you have young plants in the garden that need a little extra support, you can use paper towel rolls along the bottom of their stems. Cut the roll vertically down one side and slip it around the base of the stem. Carefully push the roll back together at the seams, using a bit of soil at the bottom to keep it closed, if needed. This will help the plant stand upright instead of falling over, as well as keep any critters from chewing the stems before they are fully established.

The square foot gardening method is designed to optimize spacing between plants. A great way to teach kids how to do square foot gardening is by using paper towels. Take a single paper towel and create a grid to lay underneath (check seed packet for spacing instructions). Dot non-toxic glue onto each grid box and place a seed in each one. Lay the paper towel with seeds on the garden bed, water it, and add a light layer of soil. The paper towel and glue will break down and the perfectly placed seeds will grow.