There is something empowering about planting. For one, it gives you that confidence when you successfully grow something that’s living and thriving. It also gives you the opportunity to be sustainable. But not all of us are gifted with green thumbs or might be too overwhelmed about the steps involved. This is why we’ll share with you some gardening secrets that can help you get started.
Honey helps encourage cuttings to thrive
Here’s one of the most underutilized garden secrets. Believe it or not, honey is a great way to help your cuttings grow!
This is because it contains growth enzymes that help them put out new roots. Since it also has antibacterial properties, it may protect your plants from disease.
Suffocate weeds with newspaper
You could spend hours pulling weeds up by the roots — or you could just smother them. It turns out, it’s actually easy to do.
One of the greatest gardening tips for beginners? Just throw some newspaper over the garden bed and they’ll wither.
Turn egg cartons into seed starters
Egg cartons are another great seed starter.
They’re small, have tons of space, and the cardboard ones are biodegradable. That’s a gardening hack that’s easy, reliable, and sustainable.
Use wine bottles to make a self-watering planter
Do you want to make caring for plants easier than ever? You can by using regular wine bottles.
Simply turn them upside down to make self-watering planters that’ll eliminate a lot of work. Just make sure to rinse them thoroughly first.
Plastic forks are a simple way to deter animals in the garden
If you have deer or rabbits that love munching on your garden plants, there’s no need to hurt them or even go to the trouble of putting up a fence.
Just pop a couple of plastic forks upright in the soil and they’ll stay away.
The top of a milk jug makes a protective “greenhouse” for seedlings
Are you tired of your seedlings getting exposed to the elements? The top of a milk jug makes a perfect miniature greenhouse. It protects delicate plants while also providing a warm, moist environment to help them thrive.
It’s easier to make a rain barrel than you might think
You might think it’s too hard to make a rain barrel. However, you can actually make one by attaching a regular trash can to your gutter. You can find easy tutorials online to help you with this project.
Gardening secrets: K-Cups make great seed starters
K-Cups can be a good way to get your morning caffeine, but they’re definitely not good for the environment.
Fortunately, you can reuse them in the garden as seed starters, and they’re super easy to move around.
Milk jugs make perfect watering cans
If you’d rather upcycle than spend money on a factory-made watering can, all you have to do is puncture the top of a milk jug. It’s ideal for watering your plants in a sustainable way.
Use PVC pipe to fertilize dense plants
Dense plants can be a challenge to water. Why? Because their root systems are well-protected and difficult to reach.
One garden hack is using a small bit of PVC pipe to help guide water all the way down to the roots.
Keep plants ultra-hydrated with kitchen sponges
Are you having problems with keeping the bottom of your planters moist and hydrated?
You can make it super easy by placing a couple of kitchen sponges in the bottom. This will keep water near the root system.
Use a posthole digger to make vegetable planting easier
Vegetable planting can be pretty tiring work but it doesn’t have to be. If you have a posthole digger, break it out when it’s time to plant your veggies. It’ll cut your planting time in half.
Get a five-gallon bucket for all your tools
Gardening 101 says to keep everything efficient. Sometimes, the best tools are the simplest ones.
If you just want something straightforward, invest in a five-gallon bucket for all your tools. It’s easy to carry around and it’ll probably fit most, if not all that you need.
Takeaway
So if you’re looking for garden hacks that actually work, the gardening secrets listed above are some techniques that you are most welcome to try out. Planting is not only enjoyable, but it’s also healthy, empowering, and mind-opening.
Source: Your House and Garden, Family Handyman, Balcony Garden Web