Don’t Throw Out These 10 Household Items! You Should Be Using Them In Your Garden
You might not realize it, but a lot of household items can do double duty in your garden. You don’t always need fancy tools or expensive products to get things blooming and growing. In fact, a lot of things you’d usually throw out can be surprisingly useful outside in the dirt. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks that have saved me tons of money, cut down on waste, and made gardening a little easier, too. Here are ten household items you probably already have lying around, and the best ways to put them to work to give your garden a boost.
Coffee Grounds for Better Soil
If you drink coffee, don't throw out the used grounds. They're rich in nitrogen and can really give your soil a leg up. Sprinkle them lightly around acid-loving plants like tomatoes, roses, and azaleas. They also help attract worms, which is a good thing in the garden. Just be careful not to pile them on too thick or use them too wet, as they can clump and block airflow to soil. Let them dry out a bit, then mix them into your compost or soil. Coffee grounds give your plants a little morning jolt, just like a cup of coffee does for us.
Eggshells for Calcium and Pest Control
Rinsed and crushed eggshells are a small but mighty garden helper. They break down slowly and add calcium to the soil, which is especially good for tomatoes and peppers. Plus, the jagged bits can help keep soft-bodied pests like slugs and snails away. What I like to do is leave a container by the sink and toss my shells in there until I’ve got enough to crush. It’s simple, free, and better than sending them to rot in the landfill.
Old Spoons as Garden Markers
Ever lose track of what you planted where? I do it way too often. That’s why I love this hack using old metal or wooden spoons. You can write the name of each plant on the spoon with a permanent marker or paint pen. Then just stick the handle into the ground so you can easily see the name. They don’t rot like other markers and they add a little unique charm to your beds. It looks especially sweet and whimsical if you do this with mismatched thrift store spoons with pretty handles.
Toilet Paper Rolls for Seed Starters
Those cardboard rolls can do more than just go in the recycling. They’re perfect for starting seeds. Cut each roll in half, fill it with a potting mix, and drop in your seeds. Once the seedlings are ready to plant, you can easily pop the whole thing in the ground because the cardboard breaks down naturally. It’s an easy project that lets you save big on seed starter containers and is perfect to do in early spring when you're itching to get things growing.
White Vinegar for Weed Spots
Vinegar can help control weeds in places where you don’t want anything growing, like cracks in sidewalks or between patio stones. It’s not for your flower beds, because it doesn’t discriminate and will kill anything it touches, but for those stubborn spots where weeds pop up, it does the job. Just pour it directly onto any weeds you can find on a sunny day and watch as the acid dries out the leaves. It’s not a miracle cure and you should never use it on grass, but it’s cheap and effective.
Cinnamon as a Fungal Fighter
A sprinkle of ground cinnamon can help prevent fungus from growing in seedlings or on freshly cut stems. If you’ve ever had little sprouts suddenly wilt from “damping off,” this is one trick worth trying. Just dust a pinch of cinnamon across the soil or dip cuttings in it before planting them. It won’t solve every garden problem, but it’s an easy way to defend your plants from fungus when they’re at their most vulnerable.
Banana Peels for Blooming Flowers
Banana peels are packed with potassium and phosphorus, two nutrients that flowering plants love. Chop them up and bury them near the roots of roses, marigolds, or any bloomers that look like they could use a little extra love. As the peels break down, they release those nutrients slowly, giving your plants a vitamin boost. Just avoid leaving big chunks on the surface, as they can attract hungry critters.
Dish Sponges for Moisture Control
This is a hack everyone with a container garden should know. Old dish sponges can actually help your containers hold water. If you’re planting in pots, toss a sponge in the bottom before adding soil. It will hold and slowly release moisture, helping prevent your plants from drying out too quickly. It’s especially useful in summer when potted plants can get thirsty fast. Just make sure that the sponge is clean and there’s no soap residue or chemicals that could harm your soil.
Cooking Water for Fertilizing
Next time you boil vegetables, pasta, or even eggs, don’t dump that water down the drain. Let it cool and then use it to water your plants. The nutrients that leach out during cooking, especially from cooking veggies, can actually be a gentle fertilizer for your garden plants. Just make sure there’s no salt in the water, as that’s not good for most plants. It’s a small change to make, but it truly feels like making something out of nothing.
Dryer Lint for Mulching (Sometimes)
This one’s a bit odd, and you have to be careful, but dryer lint can work as a mulch or compost additive if it’s from natural fabrics like cotton or wool. Lint can help hold moisture in the soil, but don’t overdo it, and skip this one if your laundry includes synthetic materials. If you’re unsure, just compost it. Dryer lint, surprisingly, has many helpful uses.
You don’t need a garage full of garden supplies to grow something beautiful. Instead, try to think about what you already have, and what helpful supplies you might be wasting. It’s easy to throw things away, but hacks like these help your garden and your wallet without too much extra effort. So get creative and give these hacks a try! The results might surprise you.