In life, sometimes hacks are a wonderful way to eliminate the guesswork and make things simpler. And if there’s a saying that were ever more true, it’s to “work smarter, not harder.” Cleaning hacks are wonderful, and mom hacks can save many mothers from headaches, too. But when it comes to gardening hacks, even those with the greenest of thumbs can benefit from these time-saving and handy techniques. Here I’ve gathered for you the best tips in tricks in the form of gardening hacks to make life easier on you when it comes to growing plants.
Here are some clever gardening hacks to try for yourself…and trust us, they really do work!
Put those old soda cans to good use
Whether you’re new to gardening of a full-fledged veteran, you can easily benefit from this gardening hack. Reach into your recycling bin and grab those empty soda cans out, and fill the bottom of big pots with them before planting. By doing so, you’ll create essential pockets for improved aeration and drainage and you’re plants will be grateful for it. This is a cost-effective hack that is a great way to grow healthy plants without spending an extra dime.
Milk jugs for watering cans
Just like you can repurpose those empty soda cans after you drink them, you can even repurpose milk jugs to function as watering cans for your plants. Simply rinse them out with warm soapy water, then poke holes in the lid and fasten them back on, and voila, now you have yourself a free watering can for your plants!
Use zip ties to keep your climbing plants nice and tidy
Winding vines and fanning leaves, climbing plants are simply gorgeous. But the only trouble is, sometimes these plants can start to grow in all sorts of crazy directions. This simple gardening hack not only works, but it’s a fun way to encourage your climbing plants to grow into directions that you can control. Apply them securely around a trellis or fence posts to keep your plants nice and tidy and growing in the direction that you prefer.
Hydrogen peroxide can be your plants’ friend
Did you know that good old-fashioned hydrogen peroxide can help out your plants in more ways than one? While we usually think to use this on ourselves as a home remedy, your plants can certainly benefit from this over-the-counter first aid solution, too. GardeningKnowHow.com shares that when applied to your plants, hydrogen peroxide encourages healthy roots thanks to its compound makeup. In addition to this, adding a few healthy drops on a routine basis can help to keep harmful bacteria from growing on your precious plants.
Don’t forget to deadhead
You may not have heard this term before, but basically it means to remove the wilted blooms from your plants. By doing so, it promotes the growth of new blooms, and it helps to keep your plants healthier for longer. This is great gardening hack to apply to those pretty and delicate flowering plants—like pansies and snapdragons. By simply pinching and removing the head of the flower once the blooming is over, it will help give way to new blooms much quicker. You can do this with roses, too, but you won’t want to use your fingers for that.
Apple cider vinegar can do wonders for your garden
We use apple cider vinegar for many things in the kitchen, especially when it comes to detoxing or purifying. But did you know that you can literally clean your plants’ leaves with the help of apple cider vinegar? This is one of those gardening hacks that super easy and serves a dual purpose, too. Not only will cleaning the leaves of your plants make them look better, but it’ll help to keep pests away from your precious plants as well. To make your leaf cleaning solution, simply add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to one gallon of water, and gently rub the leaves with a soft, damp towel. Another helpful gardening hack that calls for apple cider vinegar? Spray it around your plants with equal parts water to keep slimy slugs at bay.
Put the wine bottles to work when you’re out of town for the weekend
If you’re a mom, then chances are you’ve got one or two empty bottles of wine in your recycling bin. If you happen to have some potted plants that you’re growing, fill up those empty wine bottles with water and then stick them straight into your pots for the water to slowly drain out while your out of town for the weekend. That way you won’t have to worry about your plants going thirsty and drying out when you’re enjoying some time away from home for a few days.
Coffee filters will help you keep the moisture in
When you have a potted plant with holes, sometimes the moisture has trouble staying in the soil. And as a result, your plants won’t get the adequate water that they need to flourish. So, simply take a coffee filter and stick it at the bottom of your newly potted plant. This is a great trick for those baby plants that need all the help they can get turning into strong and healthy big boy plants. Once the plants have matured, you can transfer them to a bigger pot, replace the filter, and make way for new smaller plants that need a little something extra to help them grow.