I’m no history expert, but I’m pretty sure humans have been gardening since forever. Or at least a really, really long time. With that experience, there have been a few clever changes and adaptions, but it’s still pretty much the same basic idea. Here are some of those insanely clever gardening hacks that you should know to make your gardening experience even better!
Gardening Hacks
Projects
Cinder Blocks
Cinder blocks are a great way to garden, especially if you want to grow herbs or something small. In each block, you can add soil and your herb seeds. You can also use cinder blocks as decorative porch gardens if you want to!
DIY Rain Barrel
While it may not seem like it, water bills can add up to be hundreds of dollars. Help cut some of those costs by making your own rain barrel. There are lots of different designs, but most are relatively the same and will help you utilize the water better.
Trellis
A trellis is a great addition to your garden, especially if you’re growing vine plants like cucumbers. Not only that, but you can double the trellis as a shade provider for your plants that can’t handle direct sunlight. Brilliant!
Gardening Hacks:Tips
Coffee Filters
An easy way to stop soil from spilling out the drain holes in your potted plants is to put a coffee filter in them. With a coffee filter at the bottom, your soil will stay inside while the water just soaks through it and out the hole! One the most simple gardening hacks.
Mini Greenhouse
Help your plants grow by making a mini greenhouse for them! All you need is a plastic bottle and you’re pretty much good! Just put the bottle around the plant and you’re done!
Eggshell Starters
There are tons of ways to start seeds, but one of the best methods is in an eggshell! The shell provides lots of nutrients your seeds need to get off to a good and healthy life!
Pot-in-Pot
If you love changing the landscaping in your yard frequently, then this idea is for you! Instead of digging up, switching, and then replanting all your flowers and plants, just do the pot-in-pot method! You stick a pot in the ground (with drainage holes) and then just stick a potted plant inside of it. When it comes time to switch, you just pull the potted plant out and put another one in it’s place!
Packing Peanuts
If you want to save on soil and make your potted plants lighter while still using big pots, then try this! Just fill the bottom of the pot with packing peanuts! This reduces the weight significantly while still allowing water to drain through the bottom.
Diapers
Diapers are another good solution for potted plants. If your plants are withering because they don’t have enough water, put a diaper at the bottom of the pot. The diaper will soak up water, allowing the plant roots to get more water!
Epson Salt
Epsom salt has tons of uses around the garden, believe it or not. One of the best things to use it for is a fertilizer. Epsom salt is rich in magnesium and sulfate, so any plants that need those nutrients can be helped with a healthy sprinkle of Epsom salt every now and then.
Vegetable Water
Don’t just waste the water you cook with! Instead, recycle it by using it to water your plants and garden! Not only is this better for the environment (and your budget), but the water has good vitamins and minerals that your plants can benefit from!
Citrus Peels
Use citrus peels as seed starters to get them off to a great beginning! The citrus peels still contain enough nutrients that the seeds can absorb, making them stronger and healthier faster.
Natural Mosquito Repellent
There’s no need to keep on applying mosquito repellent if you plan to spend a lot of time outside. Instead, plant some mosquito repellent plants that will do the job for you! One great example is lavender!
Test Old Seeds
Don’t just hope and pray that your old seeds will take root in your garden. To help save time and effort, test them out on a wet paper towel. If the seeds start to grow on the paper towel, then you’re okay to plant the rest of the seeds in your garden!
Pineapple
If you’re in the right environment, then consider growing a pineapple plant! And the best part is, it’s free because all you need is a pineapple head. Bury it in the ground, follow growing instructions, and you’ll see your pineapple begin to flourish!
Matches with Peppers
Peppers love phosphorous; it helps them grow strong and better. So, a quick and easy way to get some phosphorous into your soil is by burying some matches in it! The tips of the matches will provide phosphorous for the peppers to grow from!
Milk
Milk actually serves multiple functions in the garden. The two best ones are an anti-fungal and fertilizer agent. With certain plants, you can make a milk mixture that will help combat any fungi that may be infesting your garden. Milk also contains lots of nutrients that are good for your plants to absorb.
Basket
Don’t go through the hassle of picking your fruits and vegetables, putting them in a basket, taking them inside, and then transferring them to another basket or the sink to wash. Instead buy (or make) a basket with wire mesh at the bottom so you can wash them in the same basket!
Dental Floss
Use dental floss to get those pesky vines to go in the right direction. Just tie the vines down with nearly invisible dental floss so you get a great looking vine or trellis.
Chamomile Tea
Before planting your seeds, consider soaking them in chamomile tea. This will help promote growth and germination in the seeds, making them stronger when planted! Who would have guess that herbal tea would make one item on the gardening hacks list.
Potatoes to Propagate
Believe it or not, you can use a potato to propagate roses! Just stick the ends of the rose clippings into the potato and take care of them like normal. Soon, you’ll see a whole new rose begin to grow!
DIY Self-Watering Device
Don’t worry about whether or not your plants are or aren’t getting enough water. Instead, build (or buy) a self-watering device that does all the work for you! It’s pretty simple and cuts out a lot of effort,
Melon Slings
While growing melons and large fruits may be a great idea, it can sometimes be disastrous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Building a melon sling will help the melons grow big and strong without them breaking or ripping off the vine.
Potassium from Bananas
Use bananas and banana peels to add some extra potassium to your garden. Cutting the fruit into little pieces and then scatter them in the garden, burying them just a few inches.
Diatomaceous Earth
Use this product to help ward off bugs and pests. The diatomaceous earth is harmless to humans, but kills insects but cutting up their underbellies.
Vegetable: Pest Protection
One of the worst sights is going out to your garden to see it was chewed to pieces by rodents and pests. Help stop them by putting plastic forks in the ground around your plants! I think this is one of my favorite gardening hacks.
Don’t forget to check out these flower combinations for instant curb appeal!
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