A gardening expert has shared a simple hack that will help you to make the most of your garden. He explained why you should put cardboard loo rolls outside this month
Katie-Ann Gupwell Content Editor
14:19, 26 Oct 2025Updated 14:19, 26 Oct 2025
They have a super important use (stock image)(Image: ninitta via Getty Images)
Most people have toilet rolls lying around at home, but you may not know there’s a reason why you should put the cardboard part in your garden. If you enjoy spending time in your garden, this advice could make a significant difference to your outdoor space.
Gardening expert Ish, known as gardening.with.ish on TikTok, recently explained why, and the reason they’re so beneficial may surprise you. According to him, the humble toilet roll has more uses than you might think.
Ish advised not to discard the cardboard sections, as they can assist you in various ways. Not only does keeping them prevent waste, but it also helps your property look attractive outside, as they have some useful applications in the garden.
He said: “The first thing you can do with your cardboard tubes is make little seedling pots, and these work absolutely fantastic, because they are a thin cardboard, they will naturally decompose over the next couple of months. So, start your seedlings off in the first three or four weeks and, once they’ve started to grow, it’s worth taking them out and potting them up.
“You can simply put these in a bigger pot, or in the ground, and these will slowly decompose in the ground, causing very little root disturbance. If you’re trying to start to make your own compost, these work absolutely fantastic too, and you can simply just chuck the tubes in.”
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He further explained: “Pile that down with layers of organic material, and the worms absolutely love this stuff. It will break away and give you some pretty good compost.”
In addition to this, he suggested cutting up the tubes and laying them flat on the ground, which he claimed would provide an effective weed membrane that would gradually decompose over the following months.
This method helps to protect your plants from any weeds sprouting up, according to the gardening enthusiast. He also recommended placing them beneath your plant beds to prevent anything from growing through.
If you undertake this task now, it will also create a beneficial thermal layer to safeguard plants against elements like frost, he added. When it comes to cardboard tubes, he confessed they have numerous practical uses in the garden.
They offer more advantages than you might realise, and can significantly aid plants in flourishing. This is why it’s advisable not to discard them, particularly at present.
For those unaware, loo roll cardboard can be utilised in the garden as a compostable seed starter, a biodegradable pot, weed barrier or a protective collar for seedlings. The cardboard naturally decomposes in the soil over time, making it an excellent way to both recycle them and enhance your garden.
Since Ish posted the video, several people confessed to using this trick, with some eager to share their own success stories with others.
If you’re plagued by weeds, simply lay cardboard flat on the ground to suppress them. Over time, it will decompose, allowing you to plant directly through it.
This method is especially beneficial when setting up new garden beds. Additionally, you can chop up the tubes and position them around seedlings as a barrier against pests like slugs and snails.
The upright sides can also aid your seedlings in growing upright. There are countless ways these can be utilised to enhance your garden.
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