They are ready to lie in the garbage but have gardening powers if you know how to use them. They are also easy to make at home with just a few steps and little effort. They can be a small greenhouse, a fruit picker, a vegetable holder or a self-watering planter… they are all great ideas for your garden. Save them and try some for your garden now. Here we are!

No. 1 Temporary protection of vegetables

• Recorder

Source:  Good Spirits

As any gardener knows, nature can be unpredictable. From sudden drops in temperature to hungry critters, our precious crop can face various threats. If you need a simple yet ingenious solution that stands out to protect your gardens’ bountiful harvest, enter the humble glass jar. These iconic glass containers have been a staple in kitchens for generations, but their versatility goes far beyond simple storage.

And here are some useful ones that these glass guardians play a vital role in ensuring your vegetables thrive, as frost fighters, pest shields, mini greenhouses, microclimate managers, reusable and eco-friendly.

Simply, place Mason jars on top of individual plants in your garden. Make sure the jars completely cover the plant and gently press them into the soil to create a seal. Remove the pots in the morning when the temperature rises to avoid overheating the plants. At the same time, let sunlight and rain reach the plants.

#2 Zero dollar trellis

• Recorder

Fonte: Thedeliberateagrarian

If you’re looking for creative and economical gardening solutions, consider reusing old bicycle wheels to create a no-cost trellis for your garden. This ingenious DIY project not only adds a touch of whimsy to your outdoor space but also provides valuable support for climbing plants, transforming your garden into a lush, green paradise.

Materials needed:  old bicycle wheels, paint (optional), brushes (if painting), screws and anchors (for assembly), twine or garden wire (for plant support).

How to do:

• Step 1:  Thoroughly clean your old bicycle wheels, removing any dirt or rust. If desired, paint the wheels with your chosen color. Let them dry completely.
• Step 2:  Select a suitable location in your garden where you want to install the trellis. Make sure it is close to the climbing plants you plan to support.
• Step 3:  Securely attach the bicycle wheels to a fence, wall or sturdy wooden posts using screws and anchors. Make sure they are at a height that allows your plants to climb freely.

#3 A low-tech gravity-fed drip irrigation

• Recorder

Fonte: Sustainablenicafarming

This system is an efficient and economical way to water your plants, especially in areas with limited access to electricity or pressurized water sources. This system relies on the force of gravity to deliver a slow, steady supply of water directly to the root zones of your plants. It is especially useful in areas with limited access to water or where electricity is unavailable.

Materials needed:  plastic bottles (2 liters or similar size), a sharp tool (scissors, utility knife or drill), garden hose or hose, garden stakes or stands, water source (elevated, such as a raised surface or a hook).

How to do:

• Step 1:  Using a sharp tool (scissors, utility knife, or drill), create small holes in the bottom of each bottle. These holes will allow water to drip through.
• Step 2:  Attach the hanging hooks or brackets to a suitable structure, such as a wall, fence or trellis, near the plants you want to water. Hang plastic bottles upside down on hooks or brackets so that the neck of each bottle is facing down.
• Step 3:  Connect a piece of garden hose or hose to the neck of each bottle. This will serve as the main water distribution system. Place the other end of the hose/tube at a high point or attach it to a hook, making sure it is higher than the bottles. This elevation creates water pressure powered by gravity.
• Step 4:  Fill the plastic bottles with water and watch as the water drips from the holes. Adjust the flow rate by widening or narrowing the holes as needed. Monitor water distribution to ensure there is enough water for your plants.
• Step 5:  Use garden stakes or supports to hold the hose/hose in place and prevent it from moving or kinking.

#4 Plastic Bottle Fruit Picker

• Recorder

This is a simple, DIY tool used to pick fruit from trees, especially those that are out of reach. It is made by attaching a plastic bottle to the end of a long pole or stick, creating an improvised basket or container for collecting fruit.
It is a useful tool for home gardeners and can help reduce the risk of injury from climbing trees or using ladders to reach high branches. It also allows you to gently pick fruit to avoid bruising or damage to the product.

Materials needed:  a plastic bottle with a screw cap (2 liters or similar size), a sturdy wooden or metal pole (about 4-6 feet long), a sharp knife or scissors, a screwdriver or drill, strong adhesive or epoxy resin (optional).

How to do:

• Step 1:  Using a sharp knife or scissors, carefully cut a hole near the top of the plastic bottle, leaving enough room to insert the rod. Make sure the hole is large enough to fit the post snugly.
• Step 2:  Connect the bottle to the rod and insert the rod through the hole of the plastic bottle. The bottle should slide down the shaft, with the cork end facing up. If the bottle is loose on the rod, you can use a strong adhesive or epoxy to secure it in place, ensuring it doesn’t slip off during use.

To use the plastic bottle fruit picker, simply place the bottle under a fruit on a high branch. Reach out and gently twist or tap the fruit with the bottle’s opening, causing it to fall into the bottle.

#5 Seed starting in mini greenhouses

• Recorder

Creating mini greenhouses is a practical way to protect young vegetables from the elements. Also known as seedling trays or seed starting trays with clear lids, they create a controlled environment that promotes seed germination and early seedling growth. It allows you to control the early stages of plant growth and extend the growing season.

Materials needed:  small steel frames (shaped like small umbrellas), nylon or clear plastic sheeting, garden stakes or small wooden stakes, twine or zip ties.

How to do:

• Step 1:  Place the steel frames over the young vegetables you want to protect. Make sure the frames provide enough space and height for the vegetables to grow inside.
• Step 2:  Use garden stakes or small wooden stakes to secure the steel frames into the ground. Place stakes around the perimeter of each frame and drive them firmly into the ground to prevent the frames from shifting or falling.
• Step 3:  Cover with nylon, draped nylon or clear plastic sheets over the steel frames to create a clear fence. Make sure the material completely covers the frames and reaches the ground on all sides.
• Step 4:  Secure the cover using twine or zip ties to secure the nylon or plastic cover to the steel frames. Make sure the covering is taut and well fixed to the frames to prevent it from being blown away by the wind.

To ensure ventilation and access to your plants, you can open or partially lift the cover during the day when the weather is mild. In the evening or in adverse conditions, close the cover to protect the plants.

#6 Natural garden pest control

• Recorder

Fonte: Pakovska

In some cases, cabbages seem so powerful, but there is a cabbage fly that can easily destroy all your crops. For this reason it is advisable to put anti-insect nets around the cabbages and collars around the stem. You can make these collars using old thick plastic mixed with fabric sheets. Plus, you can make them with just about anything that’s a little thick and will stay in place and can handle rain and wind.

It’s very simple to make: you cut a circle from a sturdy material and cut it in half. When you reach the center, start cutting a few small circle-shaped cuts. You do this so that the cabbage can grow during the period when the collar is still worn, but at the same time it will keep the collar closed against flies that lay their eggs during the periods when the stem is still thin. Having arranged them around the stem, you need to press them tightly to the ground so that there is no air between the collar and the cabbage.

This method manages and reduces pests in your garden without relying on synthetic chemicals. Not only is it safer for the environment and beneficial insects, but it also promotes healthier, more sustainable gardening practices.

#7 Way to get rid of larvae

• Recorder

Fonte: Montanahomesteader

Earthworms are common garden pests that can damage or kill young seedlings and transplants by chewing on their stems at or near soil level. These caterpillars are active at night and can pose a frustrating problem for gardeners. So, to organically protect garden plants from larvae, here is one of the simplest and most effective ways to get rid of them.

For larger plants, such as tomatoes and tomatillos, you can use nails to protect the stem. In addition, toothpicks or plastic straws cut into shorter pieces are also used. Basically, the idea is to put something tall around the stem of the plant to prevent the larvae from wrapping around and cutting it.

#8 DIY snail collars

• Recorder

Fonte: Beginnergardenerti

Also known as slug barriers or slug rings, they are simple but effective devices used to protect plants from slug damage in your garden. They create a physical barrier that slugs have difficulty crossing, helping to keep your plants safe. You can make DIY snail collars using various materials. But in the article we want to share this really simple method that we use to make DIY snail collars.

Materials needed:  a plastic bottle, scissors.

How to do:

• Step 1: Cut around the bottle so you have 2 or 3 rings, each about 10-20cm).
• Step 2: Cut the tips on one side of each plastic ring.
• Step 3: Bend each tip down sideways so that it sticks out horizontally.
• Step 4: Place the DIY snail collar on the seedling and make sure it is pushed into the soil.

#9 Another way to prevent damage to young plants from moths

• Recorder

Font:  Hobbyfarms

As soon as you’ve planted tomatoes, peppers, sunflowers or other young plants in the ground, use a 3-inch piece of cardboard from a toilet paper roll or paper towel to create a protective barrier. Simply cut the cardboard tube into sections and divide them lengthwise. Gently wrap one of these cardboard sections around each plant, making sure the bottom of the tube is pushed into the soil about an inch. The larvae tend to move just below the soil surface, so this method keeps them away from the plant stem.

As well as using physical barriers such as collars or barriers made from materials such as copper tape. By implementing one or more of these methods, you can effectively prevent moth damage to young plants in your garden and promote healthy growth.

#10 Goodbye weed

• Recorder

Fonte: Gentlysustainable

Eliminating weeds in your garden or yard can be a persistent challenge, but with the right strategies and perseverance you can effectively control and minimize weed growth. Using newspaper to protect plants from weeds is an effective, eco-friendly method that also helps retain moisture in the soil.
Materials needed:  Newspaper (black and white pages without colored ink), mulch (optional).

How to do:

• Step 1:  Remove any existing weeds or grass around your plants
• Step 2:  Collect old newspapers with black and white pages and no colored ink. Avoid using glossy or colored pages, as they may contain chemicals that are harmful to plants.
• Step 3:  Lay a layer of newspaper around the base of your plants. Overlap newspapers to ensure complete coverage. The layer of newspaper should be about 2-3 sheets thick. This thickness helps prevent weeds from growing.
• Step 4:  Lightly moisten the layer of newspaper with water to help it conform to the ground and stay in place.
• Step 5:  For greater weed suppression and a shinier look, you can cover the newspaper layer with a 2-3 inch thick mulch such as wood chips, straw or compost.

#11 An easy way to edge a lawn

• Recorder

This not only improves its appearance, but also helps maintain its shape and prevents grass from invading flowerbeds, paths or other areas. It prevents grass from invading other areas and keeps garden beds and paths clearly defined. Regularly edging your lawn can become a satisfying and relatively simple part of your yard maintenance routine.

#12 Simple Pea Trellis

Creating a simple trellis for your pea plants is a great way to support their growth, keep your peas off the ground, and make harvesting easier. It provides the support needed for your pea plants to grow vertically, which helps save space in your garden and keeps peas off the ground, reducing the risk of pests and diseases. It also makes harvesting peas more convenient.

• Recorder

Source:  Kristine Newhouse

Materials needed:  Sturdy tree branches (long and straight), rope or twine, pruning shears or a saw (if necessary).

How to do:

• Step 1:  Choose long, straight tree branches that are strong enough to support the weight of your pea plants as they grow. Branches should be at least 6-8 feet long, prune or cut branches (if necessary).
• Step 2:  Place two or more tree branches into the ground at an angle, creating an A-frame shape, or vertically or horizontally.
• Step 3:  Dig holes in the ground deep enough to securely anchor tree branches. Place the base of each branch in a hole and fill it with soil to secure it upright. Compact the soil to ensure its stability.
• Step 4:  Create a support structure by tying the top ends of the tree branches together securely using rope or twine. You can attach shorter tree branches horizontally across the structure at various heights.

As your pea plants grow, you can continue to add more horizontal twine supports to accommodate their height. These crossbars will provide more surface area for your bean plants to climb. This method not only provides support for your beans, but also adds a rustic, natural touch to your garden.

#13 Blanched leeks from toilet paper rolls

• Recorder

Fonte: Gapphotos

This is a gardening technique used to produce long, tender, light green or white edible stems. While toilet paper rolls are not typically used for this purpose, you can use a similar method to blanch leeks using other materials such as cardboard or PVC pipe. Using cardboard tubes or similar materials helps create the desired tender, clear stems prized for culinary use. This method also provides some protection from pests and makes harvesting leeks more convenient.

Materials needed:  toilet paper rolls (empty), garden twine or rubber bands.

How to:  Collect empty toilet paper rolls and make sure they are clean and free of paper residue. Gently wrap each leek plant with a roll of toilet paper. Slide the roll over the stem of the leek to cover the exposed part, leaving the green foliage sticking out at the top. To keep the toilet paper roll in place, use your hands to press it into the ground. As the leeks grow, continue adding more toilet paper rolls to prolong the blanching process. Make sure the rolls cover the exposed stem to prevent sunlight from reaching it.

#14 DIY Plant Markers from Broken Pots

• Recorder

Fonte: Chickenscratchny

Making DIY plant markers from broken pots is a creative way to reuse materials and help you easily identify your plants in the garden.

Using pieces of broken pots as plant markers not only helps you identify your plants, but also reduces waste by reusing materials that would otherwise have been discarded. Plus, the natural terracotta color adds a rustic and charming touch to your garden.

#15 The fastest way to clean garden tools

• Recorder

Fonte: Gardenbetty

Cleaning garden tools is essential to prevent the spread of disease, preserve their effectiveness and extend their life. The fastest way to clean garden tools depends on how dirty they are, but here’s a quick method for routine cleaning.

Regularly cleaning your garden tools after use not only prolongs their life, but also ensures that they work effectively and reduces the risk of diseases spreading from one plant to another. This quick cleaning method is suitable for routine maintenance, but for instruments in extremely poor condition or with significant rust, more thorough cleaning and restoration may be necessary.

# 16 Lettuce in cloches

• Recorder

Fonte: Tumblr

This method can help protect your plants from adverse weather conditions, pests, and extend the growing season. It allows you to control the environment and protect your plants from various challenges. It is especially useful for planting in early spring and late fall, when temperatures are cooler and less favorable for lettuce. Just remember to monitor the temperature and provide adequate ventilation to avoid overheating on sunny days.

#17 Recycled Garden Edging

• Recorder

Fonte: Flickr

Using recycled materials for garden borders is an eco-friendly and creative way to define garden boundaries, paths and landscape features while reducing waste.

When using recycled materials for garden edging, be sure to prepare the area by digging a shallow trench to accommodate the edging materials. Clamp the materials in place and consider using a level to ensure they are even and provide a stable edge. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can give your garden a distinctive and eco-friendly touch.

#18 Protect green bean seedlings

• Recorder

Source:  Caroljmichel

If you have animals such as chickens, dogs and cats, this is excellent advice to prevent them from “damaging” your garden. Placing old forks in your flower bed will help protect your garden when you grow vegetables indoors.