Do you think a breathtaking garden requires excessive investments or a professional gardener? Well, that's not so! Sometimes, all you need is the rummages from your garage or basement to achieve the best results in no time.
Fight Stubborn Weeds With Newspaper
We all know how newspapers lose their value the second one reads them. So, what's a way to use them again? Sure, you can recycle, but you can also add newspaper to the soil of the garden. And, they'll fight the most stubborn of weeds for you!
It's pretty straightforward. First, lay the papers into a thin, even layer. Then, top it with some soil. The waterings and rain will be able to seep through the light paper and moisturize the soil. Still, it will act as a barrier, preventing weeds from spreading around your garden.
Create A Mini Greenhouse In A Bottle
Grandeurious greenhouses require temperature retention, ventilation, and so on, essentially meaning more than a few bucks. A great alternative to this expensive solution is using plastic bottles. All you need to do is cut the bottle in half. Then, use the bottom part as a pot with soil, plant, and the top as a cover.
Essentially, you will get a mini-greenhouse for each plant. By covering the seedling, it will maintain its humidity and comfortability. Then, all you'll need to do is expose the bottles to sunlight. For instance, you can place them in front of the window or even outside.
Use A Gallon Jug To Water Your Plants
Another thing you may have in your home and can use as a gardening tool is a gallon jug. Not only is it easy to turn into a watering can, but it's also accessible and family-friendly. With a quick and simple transformation of the jug, your kids will finally be able to join in with watering duty.
First, you need to remove the jug's cap. Then, poke several holes in it so the water can flow. Remember to fill it with water while it's open! Once you close the container, you can begin your quest to water the plants the same way you would with the most expensive water irrigator.
Diapers And Sponges Are The Root Rot Enemy
Improper watering leads to root rot, which is essentially the number one enemy of plants. Unfortunately, this is what may have 'killed' a few of your plant babies. And no matter how much you love them, sometimes, we cause harm by dedicating too much attention. So the question is, how can you stop? Here's an easy trick!
This is another hack that uses some home equipment. First, find a kitchen sponge or a diaper and place it below the soil or the plant in a pot. The material will eventually absorb all extra water, allowing the roots only to get what they need. Therefore, it'll act as your plant's protector of excessive water-based love.
Design The Ultimate Plant Organizer
Sometimes, all you need is a bit of extra space to store all your plant babies. It's challenging, especially if you live in a small apartment. But, with enough wall space in your home or outdoor space for a shoe organizer, all of your issues can be solved. Just get some soil and a collection of your favorite seeds.
First, position the shoe organizer on the wall in a sturdy fashion. Then, poke several holes in each pocket's base. Or at least the spaces you intend to fill. The holes will allow proper draining of water. Finally, you can add the soil and seeds, and after a while, your garden will reach its full potential.
Label Your Plants With Wine Corks
Like newspapers, wine corks have no value. Well, at least if you don't create one. But gardening is an art, and you are the artist. So, why not experiment a bit? Gather the corks, chopsticks, and or toothpicks to hold them and a marker to label the plant collection. Then, get right to work!
You need one cork for each plant. Then, write the plant's name, attach them to the sticks and place them into the soil. This simple DIY can help you organize your home garden like a true professional. Not only are these cute, but they will also capture onlookers' attention to your great gardening hack.
Grow Jar-Based Green Onions
Do you want to grow green onions but don't have space for them? Here's a quick solution: First, get a few green onion scraps from your last meal. It's essential to choose ones with attached roots. Then, find a jar, and you can start designing your mini garden.
Fill the jar with a bit of water, then position the bottom piece of the green onion root toward the base and stick it into the water. Remember that there should always be enough water to submerge the roots, not the whole plant. Leave it as is and revisit your sprout in a few days to find new onions.
Plastic Forks To Fight Against Tiny Pests
Have you ever used a scarecrow to keep the pests away from your garden? Did it work? If not, here's the second-best solution. All you need are a few plastic forks to keep squirrels, rabbits, and mice away. After all, they can find another location to snack!
First, visit your local store and buy a package of plastic forks. Or, you can use the pack from your last get-together. Then, spread them a bit apart and stick them handle-down in the soil between your plants. Once you make a barrier, you'll discourage small pets or rodents from munching on your harvest.
Use Empty Toilet Paper Rolls Instead Of Pots
No one enjoys spending excessive amounts of money on pots for the garden. Believe me when I say this DIY is the cheapest option ever. Instead of throwing away or recycling empty toilet paper rolls, you can use them as an organizing tool for germinating seeds! Just stand them up on a solid surface, and add potting mix.
Then, it's smooth sailing. Place seeds into the soil-filled rolls and leave things to time. When they begin to poke through the soil, you can transfer them to the garden. The plants need time to become strong and independent. And, in the meantime, the rolls will disintegrate; it will be like they never were there at all.
Kitchen Scraps Make The Perfect Fertilizer
If you are into composting, you already know what we're talking about here. We all have kitchen scraps that get tossed out daily or weekly. So, instead of going to the garbage, keep these ingredients in a bag or container. However, make sure you keep the collection outside, as it usually gets smelly.
So, what are the best scraps to keep for the garden? Eggshells, peels from citrus fruits, potato peels, coffee grounds, scrap veggies, and even bread are worth mentioning. When forming your collection, bury it beneath the soil in your garden. This will surely account for green and successful plants with time!
Potatoes To Stimulate Rose Garden Growth
We all love the different shapes and sizes of potatoes, including baked or even french fries. But did you know that this vegetable has a hidden power? If you have some roses that have seen better days, you can test this theory. First, cut the stem at an angle and remove the leaves and flowers. Then, grab some potatoes.
Now, let's get to the magic part. To start, poke a hole in each potato's longer side. You can use a knife, a chopstick, or any other sharp object in this regard. Then, place the rose stem inside the hole. Finally, bury the potato in your garden. In no time, you'll have your very own rose bush!
Use A Muffin Tin For Proportional Spacing
It's not easy to have the perfect garden and feel entirely satisfied with it, especially if you're a perfectionist. At this point, it's vital to create gardening spacing. Not only does it look nice, but it will also provide your plants the needed space to reach their full potential.
Sure, gauging it with your eye can work, but you can also use the back of a muffin tin to space out your digging holes proportionally. Then, all you need to do is lightly push the container into the soil to make dents. Then, finally, you can start planting.
Kickstart Your Vegetable Garden With Kitchen Scraps
You mustn't waste money on seeds from the supermarket. Instead, you can use what you have at home. Not only is it cheaper, but it's also more fun to create full-grown plants out of a single vegetable. For instance, you can chop open a bell pepper and use the seeds to grow your own.
Now, it comes time to plant. Use a pot, a shallow tray, or even go directly to the ground. Either way, you need to water the soil and place the seeds inside. You can do the same with a tomato, only cut it horizontally. If you do the process as described, you will have new veggies in no time.
All-Natural Homemade Weed Killer
Sure, weed killers from gardening stores might get the job done, but they do come with some downsides. First, they may be pricey, and second, they contain lots of chemicals. Luckily, there's a solution! Instead, you can use an all-natural distilled white vinegar to avoid keep weeds away but allow plants to stay.
The question is, does it work? It certainly does. Distilled white vinegar contains all ingredients needed for your weeds and without chemicals! Mix a gallon of this liquid with a cup of salt and a tablespoon of dish soap. Shake well, and spray the weeds while it's sunny out.
A Tiny Greenhouse To-Go, Please
Who says you can only get a coffee or a donut to go? With this DIY hack, you'll be able to order tiny takeout greenhouses! If you're curious, here's how easily you can create this. Obviously, it would be best if you found plastic to-go containers first. Still, there's a small secret to success.
If you want to protect your plants-to-be from pesky little mouths, you should place a clean plastic to-go container's lid on top of the plant and bury the sides in soil. Not only does this act as a barrier, but it also creates the needed temperature and conditions for even your stubborn plants to grow.
Water Garden With Nutrients From Weeds
Sometimes, your weeds can help the plants grow. For example, if you weed your garden, you can collect your extractions in a bucket instead of throwing them away. Then cover all of the contents with water. Essentially, it will soak up all weed's nutrients, which will then assist other plants.
After a few hours, the weed's job is done. You can then throw them away. The water you're left with is what you need for the garden. What should you do next? Water your plants like you always do. Only this time, you will see them flourish as they respond to the extra nutrients they receive.
Use Coffee Filters To Immobilize Soil
I think I speak for all when I say outpours of wet dirt from the bottom of the planters are the worst. It doesn't matter if it comes to your indoor or outdoor plants; you can quickly solve this issue. All you need to do is add a coffee filter between the bottom of the pot and the soil itself.
The coffee filter will then create a thin layer, acting as a barrier between your plant and the pot's drainage hole. It keeps the loose soil inside the pot, but that's not all! As it's not a thick layer, water can still drain on its own because there's nothing in between.
Soap Is The Ultimate Repellent To Pests
You are not the only one to love your garden; squirrels, rabbits, and other critters like it too. But, no matter how much you take care of your plant babies, one animal is enough to ruin all your hard work in a day. So, the key to a beautiful garden is keeping them at bay. One great way to do so is using soap.
You can either scatter shavings of soap or a whole bar of it in the garden. If you go for the first option, try using a food processor or cheese grater. Pests, especially deers, hate soap. So, no matter how harsh it sounds, you will be able to repel the pests, and your plants will get a peaceful night of sleep.
Salt Is The Perfect Garden Fertilizer
If you didn't have some of the items in your kitchen mentioned before, you surely have this one. After all, salt is essential for cooking. Well, at least for most people. But, did you know you can also use it for your garden? You can either sprinkle a bit over your plants or mix a tablespoon of the seasoning with water.
If you go for the second option, the liquid mixture, you should add a bit to each plant's base. It's an excellent alternative to fertilizer, and it's also the cheaper route. Still, you should be careful and precise in the process. Adding salt, as the secret ingredient, will work wonders with your garden.
Use An Aluminum Can For Targeted Spraying
There's no denying; you'll need to eliminate some weeds at one point or another during your gardening adventure. However, if you use a spray bottle, it will essentially come with a broader range than you need. But, you can use an empty aluminum can to keep the weeds contained.
First, cut the bottom part out using a can opener or another similar tool. Essentially, it should look like a tunnel for the liquid to pass through. Then, all you need to do is spray through it. It will contain a range of spray and help you avoid ruining your healthy plants.
Lift Potted Plants With Plastic Bottles
Gardening should always come with a plan. But who is there to blame when you find the perfect planter in the store? You might not know which plant you will buy it for, but it's alluring, so you go for it anyway. If your favorite flower later doesn't fit into it, you can use several plastic bottles to lift it.
Once you fill in the bottom of the pot with empty plastic bottles, regardless of how much you need, you can add soil. It will raise the plant's height to fit your desires, but it doesn't end there. This DIY hack will also help avoid root rot. A win-win! And the best part? No one will know our secret.
Zip Ties To Keep Plants Standing Tall
The higher a plant is, the greater its chances are of bending or toppling over completely. So what can you do about it? Well, you can go for some sticks from a plant nursery or even chopsticks, but there is a little hack that will work wonders for any gardener.
First things first, you need to align the stick against your plant's stem. Then, use a zip tie to secure the stick and stem together. The last step is to cut the excess of the tie off. Once you do this, your plants will be good to go and grow. This will allow them to stand tall at all times, reaching their full potential.
Beer Allures The Pesky Slugs
Now we come to yet another enemy to our gardens: Pesky slugs. Don't be fooled by their size; they can ruin your hard work in minutes. So, here's how you can protect your plants from them. First, pour some beer into a cup or dish and put it somewhere inside your garden.
When the beer attracts the slugs, they will not eat your garden plants but instead turn to the more desirable alternative. All you need to do next is replace the container and its contents with a new one. You can repeat this process for as long as you see fit, and your garden will be free to flourish.
Cinnamon, An Ant's Worst Garden Enemy
You don't need to visit the store for this next trick, because as you can find all you need to get rid of ants in your kitchen. And, even if you don't, someone down the block does. Now, here's the secret. Cinnamon can not only help you spice the tastiest of meals, but it can also resolve the issue you have with garden ants.
You don't need to mix the cinnamon with water or anything else in particular. Instead, simply sprinkle some of the spice around in your indoor and outdoor garden. What's more, you can add a small amount to the stem of a new plant cutting to make it grow even taller than it would have.
Orange Peels To Substitute For Pots
Oranges and similarly shaped fruit rinds are just the sizes to start new plant growth. So, the next time you eat such a fruit, you can save its peel instead of throwing it away. Then, poke a hole in the bottom of it to allow for drainage; add soil, seeds, water, and you're set to go.
There you have it; it's your new favorite pot! One thing to keep in mind is that the citrus rinds make the soil inside more acidic. Consequently, the best seeds to plant in it are peppers and radishes or similar acid-loving veggies. All that's left to do is decide what you'd like to watch grow and see it come to life.
Use Cardboard To Create A Weed-Free Garden
Weeding is such a time-consuming process, not to mention, an exhausting job. And why would you do so if there's an easy hack to facilitate your experience? It's pretty easy. All you need to do is bury a thin layer of cardboard beneath the garden or right under the soil. But, why does it work?
First, gather the boxes you want to use and unfold them into sheets. Next, place them in the garden, allocating enough space, and cover them with water and soil. It will act as a barrier for weeds and simultaneously soak up the excess to keep the garden plants full of moisture at all times.
Epsom Salt Is Yet Another Fertilizer
Epsom salt, hydrated magnesium sulfate, is excellent for home remedy uses. But who knew it was secretly another fertilizer beneficial for gardening? Epsom salt consists of magnesium, like all common store-bought fertilizers. Thus, it helps to increase seed germination, chlorophyll production, and vital nutrients absorption.
First, mix the Epsom salt with water. Then, fill a spray bottle with the mixture and mist your garden. The best ratio to use for most of your plants is two teaspoons of Epsom salt with one gallon of water monthly. No doubt, your plants, especially those vegetables will grow taller and stronger.
Protect Your Gardening Tools From Rust
If you're constantly working in the garden, you are well aware of the importance of keeping your gardening tools intact. Who wants to purchase this expensive equipment over and over again? One simple step to prolong their lives is to mix a bag of sand with mineral or baby oil to avoid rust.
When you create the combination, you must ensure to mix it well. Then, add the blend into a bucket or whatever else you find fit, and place the tools inside. This will help to clean the utensils in-depth. Of course, it's a simple DIY hack and will save you money for years.
Use Plastic Pots To Keep Plants Contained
No matter how much you plan your dream garden and work towards creating it, you can quickly lose all your hard work if roots get out of hand. After all, plants are living creatures and can spread far and wide in different directions. Sometimes, one plant might even take over the designated space of another.
So, if it would help you find a way to keep your plants in line, here's what to do; for this, you can use their original packaging: the plastic pots they come in. Make sure the container is slightly bigger than the plant and bury it deep in the soil. Better yet, this DIY hack will facilitate future reallocating.
Baking Soda Sweetens Tomatoes
Last and probably the least expected DIY hack on our list is baking soda to grow sweeter tomatoes. Who knew that adding a dash of baking soda around the base of your tomato plants can take the following harvest to the next level? But! Careful, make sure to keep the soda off of the plant leaves and roots.
To create a liquid mixture, you'll need to add a teaspoon of baking soda into a gallon of water and stir it until it dissolves. Then, as mentioned, keep the liquid to the base of the plant. For this, you can use the trusty watering can hack, similar to using the baking soda powder.
DIY Watering System
Heading out of town for the weekend and worried about your mini jungle at home? This quick-fix can tie you over for the weekend or offer a fast trick to cut down on watering time. All you need is a clean wine bottle, a cork, and little savvy DIY energy.
Make a small hole in the wine stopper and add water into the wine bottle. Place the cork back in and flip the bottom upside-down. What you have is a slow drip of water to place into your plant pot! And just like that, your leafy greens will have a healthy dose of H2O even if you're away.
The Perfect Contraptions for a Strawberry Garden
Based on their modest shrub size, you wouldn't expect it, but strawberries need a fair share of real estate for their roots beneath the soil! And because of that, sometimes the average shallow garden bed just won't cut it. But lucky for you, we have a handy DIY to try out.
All you need is a hamper similar to the one pictured above. Once full with soil, the basket will act as the perfect home for your strawberries. Just make sure you plant the seeds close to either the top or sides of the basket. And as an added bonus, you can move the basket around for ample sun time!
At-Home Avocado
Far too often do we eat a pitted fruit and toss away the pit without giving it a second glance. But, when it comes to avocados at least, bringing back that pit to life isn't as hard as it may seem! Here's how it works: Wedge some toothpicks into the pit and place semi-submerged in a glass of water.
Before you know it, you'll see fresh growth coming from the pit, which requires immediate replanting. Once in its new home, the seedling just needs regular watering. And with each passing day, your mini avocado supply will continue to grow! Keep scrolling for more unique gardening DIYs...
Make a Seed Library Out of Old Pill Bottles
Looking for an organized solution for your growing seed collection? Try a seed library! This handy trick will help keep the seeds usable for five full years, and it's pretty easy to make! Gary Pilarchik of The Rusted Garden broke it down for us in some simple steps.
All that's needed are some empty pill bottles. To get them ready, give the plastic containers a good scrub and peel off the label. Once dry, they can be filled and labeled accordingly! It's as simple as that. Plus, the containers are easy to stack on a shelf rather than the flimsy store packets!
Grow Baby Succulents in Your Recyclables
Looking to expand your succulent family? We don't blame you. These adorable garden additions are as pretty as they are easy to take care of. And it turns out, growing them is just as simple. And a quick rummage through your recycling bin should give you all that you need to give it a try.
Here's how to do it: Cut multiple holes in a plastic bottle and pour a couple of inches of H2O to the bottom. Next, place your succulent leaves base-first into the bottle. In just about a month, you'll see new additions that are ready to be added to a mini pot!
DIY Water Drip
If you're worried about coming home from a getaway to a house full of dead plants, then this next hack might be the one for you. And instead of roping your neighbor into helping out, all that's needed is a little bit of rope or string! Here's how you do it:
Place your pots on an even low surface and place a large container full of water close by and higher up. For each thirsty plant, snip a strand of rope long enough to reach, from H2O to plant, and voilà! A DIY drip system. The string acts as a carrier that will deliver a steady supply of water to each pot.
Dig Your Nails Into Soap Prior to Gardening
While the soap usually comes at the end of your messy session in the garden, it can also play a helpful role before getting down and dirty. By scratching a bar of soap, the flakes will coat both sides of your nails and block dirt from getting jammed in there.
Plus, come time to clean up after your time in the dirt, you'll already have a head-start with some soapy fingers! To try it out, all you need to do is dig your nails into some soap blocks and scratch until fully coated. It's sure to save some time on scrubbing!
Turn Used Tires Into Planters
Whether they're lying around in your shed or stacked up at your local car parts shop, this next tip can help keep some junk out of the landfill and save a couple of bucks along the way! And as you can see in the picture, it can also help brighten up your garden with a fresh paint job.
All that's needed is some sort of base to keep the nutrient-rich dirt from escaping, and you're good to go. These planters can either rest on the ground or can be mounted with some sturdy rope. And with such a wide circumference, these tires will offer roomy space for the plants of your choice.
Repurposing Your Gutters
When spring cleaning comes around, we often find ourselves throwing out the old and bringing in the new. But instead, we've got a special hack for putting some outdated rain gutters to use. Rather than toss them in a bin or let them collect dust, they can be used as a DIY garden bed!
And the steps are as easy as one-two-three. All that's needed is a gutter patted down with fresh soil. Then, add either seeds or baby saplings and a little liquid gold (AKA, water)! And the best part about it? This handy contraption can be used as many times as needed. Talk about green gardening!
Bug Repellent Made at Home
For passionate gardeners, there's nothing quite as frustrating as watching all your hard work go to waste due to some unwelcomed creepy crawlies. So, in an effort to keep these bugs off your goods and maintain that garden-fresh taste, we've got the perfect solution.
You might even have a good chunk of these things lying around! All you need to do is whiz up a few simple ingredients: An entire head of garlic, one tsp. of cayenne spice, six cups of water, a tiny pump of dish soap, and a cup and a half of fresh mint. Once the mixture is liquidized, add it to a spray bottle and spritz away!