Are you looking for simple and effective ways to beautify your garden and make your gardening tasks easier? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of 22+ easy garden hacks that will work wonders for your outdoor space. From creating natural fertilizers to deterring pests, these hacks are both affordable and efficient. Let’s dive in and discover how to take your garden to the next level!
1. Use Coffee Grounds to Deter Pests
Coffee grounds are not only a great addition to your morning routine, but they can also help keep pests away from your plants. Simply sprinkle used coffee grounds around the base of your plants to deter slugs, snails, and ants. The caffeine in the coffee grounds acts as a natural repellent, keeping unwanted visitors at bay.
2. Create Your Own Natural Fertilizer
Instead of spending money on store-bought fertilizers, consider creating your own natural fertilizer using eggshells, banana peels, and coffee grounds. Blend these ingredients together and mix them into the soil to provide your plants with essential nutrients. Not only is this method cost-effective, but it’s also environmentally friendly.
3. Use Epsom Salt for Healthy Tomatoes
If you’re looking to boost the growth of your tomato plants, consider using Epsom salt. The magnesium in Epsom salt promotes healthy foliage and overall plant growth. Dissolve two tablespoons of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and use it to water your tomato plants once a month for optimal results.
4. Save Your Eggshells for Seedlings
Instead of throwing away your eggshells, save them for your seedlings. Crushed eggshells can be placed at the bottom of planting holes to provide calcium to young plants as they grow. This hack is a great way to give your seedlings a nutrient boost without any additional cost.
5. Use Diapers to Retain Moisture
For plants that require consistent moisture, such as potted flowers or vegetables, consider using diapers to retain water. Place a clean, unused diaper at the bottom of a pot before adding soil and planting your desired greenery. The diaper will absorb excess water and release it slowly, keeping the soil consistently moist.
6. Repel Aphids with Garlic Spray
Aphids can wreak havoc on your garden, but you can easily repel them with a homemade garlic spray. Simply blend garlic cloves with water, strain the mixture, and pour it into a spray bottle. Spritz the garlic spray onto affected plants to keep aphids at bay without the use of harsh chemicals.
7. Use Cinnamon to Prevent Fungus
Cinnamon is not just a delicious spice – it also has antifungal properties that can help prevent fungal growth on your plants. Sprinkle ground cinnamon on the soil around your plants to protect them from diseases such as damping-off and root rot. This natural hack is a game-changer for maintaining the health of your garden.
8. Make Your Own Weed Killer
Instead of relying on chemical-laden weed killers, consider making your own natural alternative using ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Combine vinegar, salt, and dish soap in a spray bottle and apply it directly to the leaves of unwanted weeds. This homemade weed killer is an effective and safe way to maintain a weed-free garden.
9. Utilize Baking Soda for Powdery Mildew
If you notice powdery mildew on your plants, don’t fret! Baking soda can come to the rescue. Mix together one tablespoon of baking soda, half a teaspoon of dish soap, and a gallon of water. Spray the solution onto affected plants to combat powdery mildew and prevent it from spreading.
10. Protect Seedlings with Plastic Bottles
Protecting young seedlings from harsh weather conditions is crucial for their survival. Cut the bottoms off plastic bottles and place them over individual seedlings to create miniature greenhouses. These makeshift cloches will shield your seedlings from wind and cold temperatures, giving them a better chance at thriving.
11. Use a Lemon to Start Seedlings
Give your seedlings a head start by using a lemon as a seed starter. Cut a lemon in half, scoop out the flesh, and poke a drainage hole in the bottom. Fill the hollowed-out lemon halves with soil and plant your seeds. The lemon peel will decompose over time, providing nutrients to the seedlings as they grow.
12. Repurpose Citrus Peels as Seedling Pots
Citrus peels can serve as biodegradable pots for your seedlings. Simply hollow out the inside of a citrus peel, fill it with soil, and plant your seeds. The peels will naturally decompose in the soil, providing nutrients to the growing seedlings. This eco-friendly hack reduces waste and nurtures your plants at the same time.
13. Use Molasses to Boost Soil Health
Molasses is a natural source of carbohydrates, minerals, and trace elements that can benefit your garden soil. Mix a small amount of molasses with water and use it to water your plants. The molasses will enrich the soil, stimulate microbial activity, and provide essential nutrients to your plants.
14. Repel Mosquitoes with Rosemary
Keep mosquitoes at bay by planting rosemary in your garden. Not only does rosemary add a delightful fragrance to your outdoor space, but it also acts as a natural mosquito repellent. Place potted rosemary near outdoor seating areas to deter mosquitoes and enhance the ambiance of your garden.
15. Use Beer to Attract Slugs
If your garden is plagued by slugs, entice them with beer. Fill a shallow container with beer and bury it in the soil so that the rim is level with the ground. The scent of the beer will attract slugs, causing them to fall in and drown. This natural method helps control slug populations without the need for harmful chemicals.
16. Create Natural Plant Labels with Stones
Add a touch of charm to your garden by using stones as natural plant labels. Use a permanent marker or paint to write the names of your plants on smooth stones, then place them near the corresponding greenery. This DIY approach is not only visually appealing, but it also helps you keep track of your garden layout.
17. Use Nutshells as Mulch
Instead of purchasing mulch for your garden, consider using nutshells as a natural alternative. Crushed nutshells, such as pecan or walnut shells, can be spread around the base of plants to conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds, and add a decorative touch to your garden beds. Plus, nutshells gradually break down, providing nutrients to the soil.
18. Repurpose Pantyhose for Plant Support
Pantyhose can serve as a versatile tool for supporting your plants in the garden. Cut the legs of old pantyhose into strips and use them to tie up drooping or sprawling plants. The stretchy, soft fabric of pantyhose provides gentle support without constricting the growth of your greenery.
19. Use Vinegar to Clean Garden Tools
Keep your garden tools in top condition by cleaning them with vinegar. Fill a bucket with equal parts water and vinegar, then soak your hand tools to remove dirt, rust, and sap. The acidity of the vinegar helps dissolve residues, leaving your tools clean and ready for use in the garden.
20. Repel Cabbage Moths with Aluminum Foil
Protect your cabbage and other cruciferous plants from cabbage moths by using aluminum foil. Cut strips of aluminum foil and hang them near your plants to deter these pests. The reflective surface of the foil confuses the moths, preventing them from laying eggs on your prized crops.
21. Use Pine Cones as Mulch
Pine cones are not only a natural and decorative addition to your garden, but they also serve as effective mulch. Scatter pine cones around your plants to help retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds. As an added bonus, pine cones break down over time, enriching the soil with essential nutrients.
22. Save Onion Skins for Plant Dye
Instead of discarding onion skins, save them to create a natural plant dye. Boil onion skins in water to release their pigment, then use the dye to color fabric or to condition wooden planters. This eco-friendly hack adds a pop of color to your garden while reducing waste.
23. Use Lemon Balm to Deter Mosquitoes
Lemon balm not only adds a delightful citrusy aroma to your garden, but it also repels mosquitoes. Plant lemon balm in pots or directly in the ground to create a natural mosquito barrier. Crush the leaves to release their fragrance and enjoy a mosquito-free outdoor experience.