40 Simple Gardening Secrets Every Gardener Needs To Know

Gardening is both rewarding and challenging, often requiring you to tackle pests, weather, and soil issues. It can also become costly due to the various tools and supplies needed. Fortunately, the internet is filled with tips for achieving successful, budget-friendly, and eco-friendly gardening. Begin with these 40 essential gardening secrets, then gather your tools and start gardening!

K-Cups make for great seed starters.

K-Cups are convenient for morning caffeine but harmful to the environment. However, you can repurpose them in the garden as seed starters, and they are easy to move around.

Milk jugs are perfect watering cans.

If you prefer upcycling to buying a factory-made watering can, simply puncture the top of a milk jug. It’s a sustainable solution for watering your plants.

Upcycle egg cartons into seed starters.

Egg cartons make excellent seed starters. They’re compact, offer plenty of space, and the cardboard ones are biodegradable, making them a great choice for your garden.

Wine bottles into a good self-watering planter.

Want an easier way to care for plants? Use regular wine bottles as self-watering planters by turning them upside down. This method reduces effort, but be sure to rinse the bottles thoroughly first.

Coffee filters can keep soil from seeping out of pots.

If soil spills are a constant issue, place a coffee filter at the bottom of a pot. It will keep the soil contained when water drains out.

Use a shoe rack for a vertical herb garden.

If you want a garden but lack yard space, build up instead of out using a simple shoe rack. This easy solution maximizes your vertical gardening space.

Plastic forks can deter animals in the garden.

To keep deer and rabbits away from your garden plants without harming them or putting up a fence, simply place a few plastic forks upright in the soil. This will deter them effectively.

The top of a milk jug is a protective “greenhouse” for seedlings.

Fed up with your seedlings facing the elements? Transform the top of a milk jug into a miniature greenhouse. This makeshift solution shields delicate plants and creates a warm, moist environment for optimal growth.

Toilet paper rolls are great biodegradable planters.

Why opt for plastic planters for small seedlings when you can choose something more eco-friendly? Utilize toilet paper rolls instead of discarding them. Save them for your garden—they’re readily available and better for the environment.

Make a rain barrel with ease.

Making a rain barrel might seem daunting, but it’s simpler than you think. Attach a regular trash can to your gutter to create one. Online tutorials provide easy-to-follow instructions for this project.

Redesign the yard after your plants mature.

Many gardeners often reconsider their yard layout after planting their plants. The good news is you can easily transplant them by placing them in individual planters first, then transferring them to the ground.

Use old cans to aerate plant pots.

Placing empty cans in the bottom of planters not only saves soil but also facilitates air movement. This provides more oxygen to your plants, and the cans retain moisture, benefiting them further.

Use a regular wooden board for even lawn edging.

If you’re looking to edge your lawn, utilize a regular wooden board or post as a guide. Simply place it down and follow along to achieve the perfect shape.

PVC pipes fertilize dense plants.

Watering dense plants can be tricky due to their well-protected and hard-to-reach root systems. To overcome this challenge, use a small piece of PVC pipe to guide water directly down to the roots.

Keep plants hydrated using kitchen sponges.

Struggling to keep the bottom of your planters moist? Solve this issue easily by placing a couple of kitchen sponges in the bottom. This helps retain water near the root system for optimal hydration.

Make mulching easy with a small container.

Mulching can be a tedious task, but you can simplify it by transferring the mulch to a smaller container before starting. Working from a bucket rather than a large bag makes the job much easier.

Use a plastic clamshell container for a planter.

Plastic clamshell boxes from restaurants and salad bars are surprisingly versatile. They make excellent planters for seedlings, providing the small, warm, and moist environment needed for them to thrive.

To-go coffee cup as a watering can.

To-go coffee cups are perfect for watering houseplants. The hole in the top acts as an effective spout, and they’re easy to find. Just be sure to rinse them thoroughly before use.

Fertilize garden beds with Epsom salt.

Epsom salt, though not widely known for home and garden use today, is a highly effective fertilizer due to its high magnesium content. When added to soil in the right quantities, it can significantly benefit plant growth.

Croquet wickets can keep a hose in place.

Got lawn games sitting in storage? Use items like croquet wickets to secure your hose to the ground. This keeps the hose in place and prevents tripping hazards.

Zip ties can secure climbing plants.

Climbing plants like ivy and tomatoes are beautiful, but they often need support to prevent them from collapsing and damaging their leaves.

Use a tarp as a multipurpose garden tool.

A tarp is an invaluable garden tool. It can shield plants, waterproof structures, and kill unwanted plants by simply laying it over them.

A mailbox as a gardening tool holder.

For a convenient and stylish way to store your gardening tools, install a mailbox in your backyard. It keeps tools easily accessible and adds a charming touch to your garden.

Use a posthole digger to make vegetable planting easier.

Planting vegetables can be tiring, but it doesn’t have to be. Use a posthole digger to speed up the process and cut your planting time in half.

Use a knife to avoid yanking plant roots.

Transplanting can be tricky, often damaging plant roots when pulled out. Instead, cut down the sides of the pot with a regular knife. This method makes it easier to free the plant without causing damage.

Keep tools in a pot of sand.

To keep your gardening tools sharp and clean, rub them gently with mineral oil and then store them in a bucket of sand. This helps sharpen and polish them, ensuring they stay in top condition.

Citrus peels are easy planters.

For small containers to hold early seedlings, use hollowed-out citrus peels. They provide a healthy start for your seedlings and are easy to transplant. Just ensure the plants you use are tolerant of acidic soil!

Grab a five-gallon bucket for tools.

Sometimes, the simplest tools are the best. Invest in a five-gallon bucket for all your gardening needs. It’s easy to carry around and can likely accommodate most, if not all, of your tools.

Cinnamon can kill diseases in the soil.

Cinnamon possesses natural antifungal properties, making it an excellent choice to promote plant health and safety. Simply sprinkle it around your garden bed, and enjoy the bonus of a sweet cinnamon scent in your soil.

Coffee grounds can keep pests at bay.

Instead of tossing coffee grounds in the trash, sprinkle them around your garden beds. They serve as an effective natural pest deterrent, particularly against slugs that enjoy nibbling on growing plants.

As so do eggshells.

If you don’t drink coffee, use eggshells instead. They’re also an effective pest deterrent and environmentally friendly. Simply crush up some shells and sprinkle them liberally around your plant beds.

Kill weeds with vinegar.

You don’t need to purchase store-bought weed killer to tackle those pesky weeds. All you need is something you likely already have in your kitchen cabinet – a little bit of vinegar.

Use a mounted pallet for gardening tools.

Utilize your wall space for efficient storage by building up. A simple pallet can serve as a highly effective tool holder, integrated directly into the wall of your garage or shed.

Hydrogen peroxide can protect seedlings.

Hydrogen peroxide, commonly used to treat skin infections, can also combat soil-borne infections in plants. If you’re worried about your plants contracting diseases from the soil, adding a bit of peroxide can help protect them.

Honey encourages cuttings to thrive.

Surprisingly, honey can aid in the growth of cuttings due to its growth enzymes, facilitating the development of new roots. Additionally, its antibacterial properties may help protect plants from disease.

Cooking water to fertilize the garden bed.

Next time you boil water for vegetables or eggs, don’t discard it down the drain. Instead, use it to water your garden. It serves as an excellent natural fertilizer for your plants.

Pinch plants to help them grow.

Just as cutting hair promotes growth, the same principle applies to plants. Regularly pinch off dead heads from your plants to encourage thick and healthy growth.

Suffocate weeds with newspaper

Rather than spending hours pulling weeds, you can easily smother them. Simply cover the garden bed with newspaper, and the weeds will wither away.

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