Do you love gardening but feel overwhelmed by the amount of work and maintenance it requires? Do you wish you could have a beautiful and productive garden without spending a fortune on tools and supplies? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this blog post is for you.

I am a passionate gardener who has been growing plants for over 20 years. I have learned a lot of tricks and tips along the way that have helped me create stunning gardens in small spaces, with minimal effort and cost. In this blog post, I will share with you 10 simple gardening hacks that will transform your outdoor space into a green oasis. These hacks are easy to implement, use common household items, and can save you time, money, and energy. Whether you are a beginner or an expert gardener, you will find something useful and inspiring in this list.

Garden

Hack #1: Use Eggshells as Seed Starters

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to start seeds is to use eggshells as natural pots. Eggshells are biodegradable, rich in calcium, and provide good drainage for the seedlings. All you need to do is crack open some eggs, rinse the shells, poke a hole at the bottom for drainage, fill them with potting soil, and sow your seeds. You can place the eggshells in an egg carton or a tray and keep them in a sunny spot until the seeds germinate. When the seedlings are ready to transplant, you can simply plant the whole eggshell in the ground or in a larger pot. The eggshell will decompose and nourish the young plant as it grows.

Hack #2: Use Plastic Bottles as Self-Watering Planters

If you have some empty plastic bottles lying around, don’t throw them away. You can turn them into self-watering planters that will keep your plants hydrated for days. This is especially useful if you are going away for a vacation or if you tend to forget to water your plants regularly. To make a self-watering planter, you will need a plastic bottle, a piece of cotton string or yarn, a drill or a nail, and some scissors. Cut off the bottom of the bottle and drill or poke a hole in the cap. Thread the string through the hole and tie a knot at the end. Fill the bottle with water and screw the cap back on. Invert the bottle and insert it into the soil next to your plant. The string will act as a wick and deliver water to the plant as needed.

Hack #3: Use Coffee Grounds as Fertilizer and Pest Repellent

Coffee grounds are not only good for making your morning brew, but also for boosting your garden’s health. Coffee grounds are acidic, which means they can lower the pH of your soil and make it more suitable for acid-loving plants like roses, azaleas, blueberries, and tomatoes. Coffee grounds also contain nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and other micronutrients that can enrich your soil and feed your plants. Additionally, coffee grounds can help deter pests like slugs, snails, ants, and aphids from munching on your plants. To use coffee grounds in your garden, you can either sprinkle them directly on the soil or mix them with compost or mulch.

Hack #4: Use Vinegar as Weed Killer

Weeds are one of the most annoying problems that gardeners face. They compete with your plants for nutrients, water, and space, and can ruin the appearance of your garden. While there are many commercial weed killers available in the market, they can be expensive, toxic, and harmful to the environment. A safer and cheaper alternative is to use vinegar as a natural weed killer. Vinegar is acidic and can burn the leaves and roots of weeds without affecting your desired plants. To use vinegar as a weed killer, you will need white vinegar (preferably with 5% acidity), a spray bottle, and some dish soap. Mix one gallon of vinegar with one ounce of dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the solution directly on the weeds on a sunny day when there is no rain forecasted for at least 24 hours. The vinegar will dry out the weeds and kill them within a few days.

Hack #5: Use Baking Soda as Fungicide and Powdery Mildew Remover

Baking soda is another common household item that can benefit your garden in many ways. Baking soda is alkaline and can raise the pH of your soil and make it more favorable for alkaline-loving plants like clematis, lilacs, lavender, and hydrangeas. Baking soda can also help prevent fungal diseases like black spot, rust, and powdery mildew from infecting your plants. To use baking soda as a fungicide and powdery mildew remover, you will need baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), water, and a spray bottle. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one gallon of water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the affected plants once a week until the symptoms disappear.

Hack #6: Use Cinnamon as Rooting Hormone and Antifungal Agent

Cinnamon is not only a delicious spice, but also a useful gardening aid. Cinnamon can act as a natural rooting hormone and help cuttings grow roots faster and stronger. Cinnamon can also prevent fungal infections and diseases from affecting your plants. To use cinnamon as a rooting hormone and antifungal agent, you will need cinnamon powder and some water. Dip the cut end of your cutting in some water and then in some cinnamon powder. Plant the cutting in moist soil and watch it grow. You can also sprinkle some cinnamon powder on the soil surface to ward off fungus gnats and other pests.

Hack #7: Use Epsom Salt as Magnesium Supplement and Bloom Booster

Epsom salt is a common name for magnesium sulfate, a mineral that is essential for plant growth and development. Magnesium is involved in many processes in plants, such as photosynthesis, chlorophyll production, enzyme activation, and nutrient uptake. Magnesium deficiency can cause yellowing of leaves, stunted growth, and poor flowering. Epsom salt can provide a quick and easy source of magnesium for your plants and help them thrive. Epsom salt can also enhance the color, size, and quantity of blooms in your flowering plants. To use Epsom salt as a magnesium supplement and bloom booster, you will need Epsom salt, water, and a spray bottle or watering can. Dissolve one tablespoon of Epsom salt in one gallon of water and spray or water your plants once a month.

Hack #8: Use Banana Peels as Potassium Fertilizer and Compost Accelerator

Banana peels are rich in potassium, which is another important nutrient for plant growth and health. Potassium helps plants regulate water balance, transport sugars, resist diseases, and produce quality fruits and flowers. Potassium deficiency can cause weak stems, curling of leaves, poor fruit development, and reduced yield. Banana peels can provide a natural and organic source of potassium for your plants and help them flourish. Banana peels can also speed up the decomposition process in your compost pile and add more nutrients to your soil. To use banana peels as potassium fertilizer and compost accelerator, you can either bury them whole or chopped in the soil around your plants or add them to your compost bin.

Hack #9: Use Milk as Calcium Supplement and Mildew Preventer

Milk is another household item that can benefit your garden in multiple ways. Milk is high in calcium, which is essential for plant cell wall structure, membrane function, and enzyme activity. Calcium deficiency can cause blossom end rot in tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and squash, as well as tip burn in lettuce, cabbage, and celery. Milk can provide a readily available source of calcium for your plants and help them grow strong and healthy. Milk can also help prevent powdery mildew from infecting your plants by creating an unfavorable environment for the fungus. To use milk as a calcium supplement and mildew preventer, you will need milk (preferably low-fat or skim), water, and a spray bottle. Mix one part milk with nine parts water in a spray bottle and spray your plants once a week.

Hack #10: Use Beer as Slug Trap and Lawn Fertilizer

Beer is not only a refreshing beverage, but also a handy gardening tool. Beer can help you get rid of slugs that are eating your plants by attracting them with its yeasty smell and drowning them in its liquid. Beer can also help you improve the appearance and health of your lawn by providing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other trace elements that can stimulate grass growth and greenness. To use beer as a slug trap and lawn fertilizer, you will need beer (any kind), shallow dishes or bowls, and a watering can or hose. Pour some beer into the dishes or bowls and place them around your garden where you see slug activity. The slugs will be drawn to the beer and fall into the traps where they will die. Empty the traps regularly and replace the beer as needed. To use beer as a lawn fertilizer, dilute one part beer with four parts water in a watering can or hose and spray your lawn once every two weeks.

Conclusion

Gardening is a rewarding hobby that can bring you joy, satisfaction, and beauty. However, it can also be challenging, time-consuming, and expensive if you don’t know some simple hacks that can make your life easier. In this blog post, I have shared with you 10 simple gardening hacks that will transform your outdoor space into a green oasis using common household items that you probably already have at home. These hacks are easy to implement, use natural ingredients, and can save you time, money, and energy. Try them out today and see the difference they make in your garden.

FAQ

Q: How often should I fertilize my plants with coffee grounds?
A: Coffee grounds are a slow-release fertilizer that can provide nutrients to your plants for several weeks. You can apply coffee grounds to your plants once a month or once every two months, depending on the type and size of your plants.
Q: How can I make my own compost at home?
A: Compost is a great way to recycle your organic waste and improve your soil quality. To make your own compost at home, you will need a compost bin or pile, a mix of brown and green materials, water, and air. Brown materials are dry and carbon-rich, such as leaves, straw, paper, and cardboard. Green materials are moist and nitrogen-rich, such as grass clippings, kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells. You should layer the brown and green materials in a ratio of 3:1 in your compost bin or pile, adding water as needed to keep the mixture moist but not soggy. You should also turn the pile every few weeks to aerate it and speed up the decomposition process. Your compost will be ready in a few months when it looks dark, crumbly, and smells earthy.
Q: What are some of the best plants for small spaces?
A: If you have a small space for gardening, you can still grow a variety of plants that can add color, fragrance, and beauty to your area. Some of the best plants for small spaces are:
- Herbs: Herbs are easy to grow, require little space, and can be used for cooking, tea, or medicine. You can grow herbs in pots, containers, or window boxes. Some of the most popular herbs are basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley, and cilantro.
- Succulents: Succulents are plants that store water in their leaves, stems, or roots. They are drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. You can grow succulents in pots, terrariums, or hanging baskets. Some of the most common succulents are aloe vera, jade plant, echeveria, sedum, cactus, and haworthia.
- Flowers: Flowers are the ultimate way to brighten up your small space with their vibrant colors and sweet scents. You can grow flowers in pots, baskets, or vertical gardens. Some of the best flowers for small spaces are marigolds, petunias, pansies, geraniums, begonias, impatiens, and zinnias.