7 home gardening practical hacks

1. Eggshell Fertilizer: Crush eggshells and sprinkle them around your plants. They provide calcium to the soil, benefiting plants like tomatoes and peppers.

2. DIY Watering System: Place a plastic bottle with holes near plant roots for a slow, steady watering system. This ensures consistent moisture without overwatering.

3. Coffee Grounds for Pest Control: Used coffee grounds can act as a natural pest repellent. Scatter them around plants to deter pests like snails and slugs.

4. Companion Planting: Planting certain crops together can enhance growth and deter pests. For example, basil planted near tomatoes can improve flavor and repel insects.

5. Homemade Weed Killer: Mix vinegar, salt, and dish soap for a natural weed killer. Be cautious, as it can affect surrounding plants, so apply it directly on weeds.

6. Upcycled Planters: Reuse items like old tires, wooden crates, or even broken wheelbarrows as unique and eco-friendly plant containers.

7. Mulching with Newspaper: Lay newspaper around plants to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Cover it with a layer of mulch for an effective and biodegradable weed barrier.

Banana Peel Boost: Use banana peels as a nutrient-rich addition to your compost or bury them near rose bushes for a potassium boost.

Garlic Insect Repellent: Plant garlic around your garden to repel aphids and other pests. It acts as a natural insect deterrent.

Milk for Mildew: Mix equal parts milk and water and spray on plants to prevent powdery mildew. The proteins in milk act as an antifungal agent.

Citrus Peel Slug Trap: Place citrus peels upside down near plants. Slugs are attracted to the moisture underneath, providing an easy and organic trap.

DIY Seed Tape: Mix flour and water to create a paste, then use it to attach seeds to strips of newspaper. This makes it easier to plant seeds evenly.

Cinnamon for Seedlings: Dust cinnamon on seedlings to prevent damping-off disease. It acts as a natural fungicide.

Raised Bed Protection: Place copper wire or tape around the edges of raised beds to deter slugs and snails. They get a mild electric shock and stay away.

Shower Cap Greenhouse: Use shower caps to cover young seedlings, creating mini greenhouses for protection during colder nights.

Herb Garden Window Boxes: Plant herbs in window boxes outside your kitchen window for easy access to fresh herbs while cooking.

Vinegar pH Test: Test your soil's pH with vinegar. If it fizzes, your soil is alkaline. No reaction indicates acidity.

Aluminum Foil Sun Reflector: Place aluminum foil around plants to reflect more sunlight onto them, boosting growth.

Compost Tea: Steep compost in water to create nutrient-rich compost tea. Use it as a liquid fertilizer for your plants.

DIY Watering Globe: Fill a wine bottle with water, invert it into the soil, and create a homemade watering globe for consistent hydration.

Hay Bale Gardening: Plant directly into hay bales for an easy, no-dig gardening method. The hay breaks down, providing nutrients to the plants.

Cucumber Trellis: Train cucumber vines to climb a trellis to save space and encourage straighter cucumbers.

Wood Ash Pest Control: Sprinkle wood ash around plants to deter pests like slugs, snails, and beetles.

Reuse Coffee Filters: Place used coffee filters at the bottom of pots to prevent soil from washing out while still allowing for proper drainage.

Companion Flowers: Plant marigolds, nasturtiums, or calendulas among vegetables to repel pests and attract beneficial insects.

DIY Pallet Planter: Convert old pallets into vertical planters for space-saving and a rustic garden aesthetic.

Epsom Salt for Tomatoes: Sprinkle Epsom salt around tomato plants to boost magnesium levels, promoting healthy growth and fruiting.

Onion as Aphid Repellent: Plant onions around lettuce and other susceptible plants to repel aphids.

Mason Jar Herb Garden: Grow herbs in mason jars on a sunny windowsill for a charming and practical indoor garden.

Reuse Water from Cooking: Collect and cool water used for boiling or steaming vegetables. Once cooled, use it to water your plants for added nutrients.