Fun and easy Garden Hacks

Gardening though rewarding can become a drain on our pocketbook.  Below are some of my favorite garden hacks.  Generally speaking gardeners are reuse, recycle and repurpose kind of folks.  I LOVE finding something around the house that I can repurpose in the garden.  From old boots to water jugs to crates and barrels, just look around and you’ll be amazed at what you have to grow in.  Keep in mind Lynette manages the Chetco Seed Library and as hundreds of flower and vegetable seed packets.  Just let her know what you need and let’s get sowing!

1. Use cardboard egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, or paper towel rolls as mini vessels. If the plants’ roots are growing through or out of the cardboard at the time of transplant, just put the whole thing in the ground. If not, soak the cardboard to remove it before transplanting the plant. Small plastic containers such as K-cups or yogurt cups can also be given a second life as seed starting vehicles, but when transferring seedlings to your garden bed, be sure to remove them from the cups.
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2. With a little extra work, newspaper and junk mail can also be crafted into little pots.  Follow this LINK for a tutorial on how to fold your own seed starting pots. 
3. Shoe planters are a fun way to recycle old shoes and boots.  Plant some flowers and watch them grow over the summer.  Get your kids to help recycle their shoes.  Plus they make a wonderful gift to put on a friend’s doorstep!
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5. 1. Step One— Look in your closet or out in the garage to find some old shoes or boots. ... 
   2. Step Two—Drill Drainage Holes. ... 
   3. Step Three—Add Potting Soil. ... 
   4. Step Four—Planting Your Flowers. ... 
   5. Step Five—Water Your Flowers. ... 
   6. Step Six—Show off your Planters.

   
   
6. For traditional gardens, create a nutrient-rich base layer by collecting yard waste like grass clippings and raked leaves. Scout for bags of leaves left out by the curb!
7. If using a planter or container with a large hole at the bottom, cover the hole with a coffee filter and elevate it about ½” off the ground with a small piece of wood. This will allow drainage while keeping soil intact and preventing staining of hardscapes.
8. Looking to create a raised bed garden or portable garden boxes? Try using wine crates, old wooden soda crates, plastic bulb crates lined with cardboard, or other topless wooden crates. Just make sure they have proper drainage.
9. Water plants evenly (e.g., from a watering can instead of a cup). Create a DIY watering can by making small holes in the top of a juice, milk, or detergent jug.
10. If you’re unable to water regularly, create a slow release watering system from wine bottles and insert them in damp soil.
11. After cooking eggs or vegetables, don’t pour the water down the drain. Some nutrients from these cooked foods will leech into the water and can be used to feed plants.

Finally, here are 19 garden hacks from Bob Villa!  Enjoy!