Growing sweet peas in toilet rolls is a great way to reduce waste and an easy and affordable option for starting your sweet pea seeds indoors before transplanting them outside.
Today I will share different methods to successfully grow sweet peas indoors in toilet rolls and tips for ensuring their healthy growth and development.
Benefits of Growing Sweet Peas in Toilet Rolls
Growing sweet peas in toilet paper rolls is a novel and environmentally friendly farming technique with several advantages. Here are a few benefits of this approach:
Eco-Friendly
Toilet paper rolls are more environmentally friendly than plastic containers because they are made of paper and biodegrade quickly. They do not affect the environment and decompose quickly in soil.
Space-saving
Sweet peas are known to spread out and grow tall, but when planted in toilet rolls, they require very little room. Due to its tiny size, it is perfect for balconies and small gardens.
Cost-effective
Toilet paper rolls are inexpensive because they are widely available and frequently discarded after use. There is no need to buy expensive pots or containers, as toilet rolls can be easily repurposed.
Convenient planting
Planting sweet peas in toilet rolls is quick, clean, and accessible. The rolls can be planted in the ground after filling them with dirt and seeds. As the rolls break down over time, the roots can expand and take root in the soil.
Simple to keep an eye on growth
Because toilet paper rolls are transparent, gardeners can quickly check to see how well the seeds are growing. This makes it simpler to spot any possible problems and respond right away.
Why Are Toilet Rolls Important for Sweet Peas?
Toilet paper rolls are a crucial component of sweet pea cultivation because they offer the best conditions for seed germination.
The fragile seedlings are supported by cardboard tubes, which help them develop upright and prevent harm.
The substance is also biodegradable and will ultimately decompose, adding nutrients to the soil and encouraging the growth of healthy plants.
Gardeners may save waste while also giving their sweet pea plants the support they require to thrive by utilizing toilet paper rolls as support for their plants.
Due to their compact size, toilet paper rolls are also a practical choice for small gardens or indoor gardening setups.
How to Grow Sweet Peas in toilet rolls?
Materials needed for planting sweet peas in toilet rolls
- Toilet rolls
- Seed compost
- Sweet pea seeds
- Water
- Scissors
- Pot or container
- Pencil
A step-by-step guide to planting sweet peas
Get the toilet roll ready
Make numerous tiny holes on the bottom of a toilet roll to allow for efficient drainage. Towel rolls should be divided into parts of roughly 4 inches each.
Fill with compost in step two.
Seed compost should be poured into each part of the toilet paper roll, leaving a tiny space at the top. To help the compost settle, lightly tap the toilet paper.
Plant the Seeds
Make a small hole with a pencil or your finger in the compost’s middle. Fill each hole with one sweet pea seed, then tenderly bury it in manure.
Water the seeds
Carefully water the toilet paper rolls, careful not to wash the seeds away. To avoid disturbing the seeds, it is better to water them from the bottom of the container.
Put the toilet paper rolls in a pot or container, then write the name of the sweet pea type you planted on each one.
Place in a Sunny Area
Put the container in a bright area that is at least 60 °F (15 °C) warm. Watch for germination, but avoid damp compost of soil. The germination should happen between 7 to 14 days.
How to Transplant Sweet Pea Plants?
If you want to move your pea plants to a new location, you’ll need to transplant them. This is how you do it:
Pick the correct season
Since the weather is colder and the plants are not fully bloomed, spring or fall are the ideal times to transplant sweet peas.
Get ready for the new location
Pick a new place with soil that drains well and gets lots of suns. Dig a hole large enough for the sweet pea plant’s roots, and amend the soil with compost or other organic matter.
Sweet pea plant removal
To remove the sweet pea plant, gently loosen the dirt around its base with a garden fork. Lift the plant out of the ground gently, taking care not to cut the roots.
Prune the plant
Trim back dead or damaged branches and leaves when pruning a plant. This will enable the plant to focus its energy on establishing new roots in the new area.
Transplant the sweet pea plant
Place the sweet pea plant in the hole you’ve prepared and fill the hole with soil. Water the plant well to help the soil settle and give the roots moist.
Provide support
As climbers, sweet pea plants require support to develop and flourish. Install a trellis or other support structure close to the plant. As the stems develop, carefully attach them to the structure.
Tips for Caring for Sweet Peas grown in toilet rolls
Here are some home remedies for taking care of your toilet-roll-grown sweet peas:
Watering
It’s important to maintain soil that is moist but not soggy, as this might cause root rot. Regularly water your sweet peas, keeping the ground wet but not soaked.
Light
Sweet peas require at least six hours of daily direct sunlight since they adore it. If necessary, utilize grow lights or a sunny spot to store your toilet paper.
Temperature
Sweet peas prefer temperatures between 50°F to 75°F as their ideal range. If necessary, give them a heat source or keep them in a warm environment.
Rich Soil
Rich, well-draining soil is necessary for sweet pea growth. Compost, peat moss, and perlite mixed will be placed within the toilet paper rolls to offer appropriate nutrition and drainage.
Air Circulation
Sweet peas require sufficient air circulation to avoid the growth of mold and mildew. Use a fan to create air movement, or place the toilet paper rolls in a well-ventilated location.
Pinching
To promote bushier growth and stop the plants from being too tall and slim, regularly pinch off the tips of the sweet pea plants.
Fertilizing
Sweet peas benefit from routine fertilization to gives them the nutrition they need to develop and bloom. Use a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer and adhere to the directions on the container.
How to Tie in Sweet Pea Stems?
Before tying in sweet pea stems:
Pick a strong support, like a trellis or a stake. The stem should then be delicately tied to the support using light garden twine or a strip of fabric, taking care not to damage it.
Make sure the tie is strong enough to support the stem while being loose enough to allow the stem to continue developing.
Continue doing this while the sweet pea grows, adjusting the knots as necessary. This helps a lot when you are growing sweet peas in containers.
What Seeds should not be Planted in Toilet Paper Roll?
Some seeds should not be planted in toilet paper rolls. Knowing which seeds to plant and which to avoid is crucial since using the incorrect seeds can cause disease, poor growth, and even the death of the seedlings.
The following seeds are not recommended for planting in toilet paper rolls:
Large seeds
Large seeds, such as pumpkins, cantaloupes, or watermelons, are not ideal for planting in toilet paper rolls.
These seeds require more room to grow and expand, and the limited space in a toilet paper roll will not allow for adequate growth.
Deep-rooted seeds
Carrots, parsnips, and radishes are just a few examples of seeds that shouldn’t be planted in toilet paper rolls because of their deep taproots.
These seeds need deeper soil to grow correctly; the small depth of a toilet paper roll will not allow for sufficient root development.
Long germination period
Toilet paper roll planting is not recommended for seeds that take a long time to germinate, like some native wildflowers.
The lack of depth in the toilet paper roll makes it challenging to maintain the ideal conditions for germination. These seeds need a more regular and controlled environment.
Growing Sweet Peas in Toilet Rolls: Conclusion
Growing sweet peas in toilet rolls is a fun and easy activity you can do with the whole family or as a hobby.
Now you can grow sweet peas indoors when the temperature outside is too high for the plants, or you do not have enough space in your garden.
I hope this post clears all your questions about this topic. If you have any other questions, tell me in the comments. Thank you!
Every plant has its growth habit. Some can grow in toilet rolls, while some cannot. Read my other articles to learn more:
