10 Free Garden Hacks Using Household Items
Image by The Gardening Channel With James Prigioni
Love gardening? You will surely find these 10 free garden hacks using household items by The Gardening Channel With James Prigioni. These are effective, cheap, and will surely improve your garden! Watch the video below for a full explanation of each item.
Q-tip
Does your squash plant develop little mini squash that turns yellow and dies off before they mature? It’s because they weren’t properly pollinated. You can use a Q-tip and go over to your squash male flowers (no squash at the base of the flower). Gently swirl it on the inside to get some pollen, then bring it over to the female flowers (with mini squash at the end).
Clothespin
Use the clothespin to train the branch angles to 60-degree angles. The angle of the branches will determine whether the branch focuses on leaf or fruit production.
Egg carton
Start your seeds in egg cartons. Cut some holes in the bottom for drainage. Fill the cells up with soil and plant your seeds. Since the cells are too shallow, stick with small seeds.
Clear gallon jug
This item will act as a mini greenhouse. Simply cut the bottom part with a scissor. It will act as a form of protection for one plant during cold nights and it will help the plant grow quicker. Make sure to build up some wood chips or some soil around.
Dish soap
Pick the ones that don’t have added fragrances and isn’t a degreaser. Make a dish soap spray. Mix 2 to 4 tablespoons of dish soap in a gallon of water. Transfer it to a spray bottle and use it as an insecticide. Make sure to spray the top and bottom sides of the leaves.
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Plastic bottle or a solo cup
These two are great to start the season and give the roots of the plant more room to grow than the egg carton. Just make sure to make holes in the bottom.
Cardboard
This works great for suppressing weeds and it will naturally break down over time.
Simple cup
Allow the seeds to soak in water for 24 hours in the cup to improve germination.
Eggshells
Did you know that eggshells are a good source of calcium? Add them to your compost pile or you can crush them up using a food processor or mortar. Sprinkle around your plant.
Wood ashes and coffee grounds
Wood ashes from a fire pit can be used as a natural source of potassium. Only add ashes to your soil if your soil is acidic and is below about 6.5 pH. Used coffee grounds are also a great choice to add to your compost.
