11 Easy Gardening Hacks You’ll Wish You Had Tried a Lot Sooner

It’s finally the right weather to start a garden or work on the one you already have!

And that means you’re gonna need some helpful gardening hacks to help you out this season.

Seriously, gardening can be fun, but there’s a lot to think of when taking care of plants. Pests, frost, making sure they’re watered when on vacation, and so much more!

And that’s why I decided to help you get prepped before you head to the yard. This year, these tips will give you the gardening information you need to have a thriving and healthy garden.

So try out these plant hacks and see how much easier your garden tasks and chores become!

1. Use Broken Terra Cotta Pots as Markers

If you want a cute and creative way to mark your herbs or veggies, then try using some broken terra cotta pots.

It’s a fun way to keep on top of things in your garden beds and make them look aesthetically pleasing.

Update: Site and DIY no longer exist.

2. DIY Toilet Paper Roll Starter Pots

A great way to easily measure out your seeds depending on the plant is to use a toilet paper roll. We all have plenty of those which makes this a nice cost effective way to reuse, recycle, and start growing new plants!

Update: The site that has this tutorial no longer exists.

3. Use a Water Bottle to Water Plants When Away

If you’re gonna be gone for spring break, summer vacation, or you’re visiting family, then this is one of the best garden hacks you can try right now. There’s no reason why you should have to come home to dry and dead plants that you took the time to grow and care for.

GET THE TUTORIAL

4. Use Plastic Forks as Animal Prevention

If you have that annoying neighborhood cat (or cats) that likes to use your garden as their personal bathroom, then using some plastic forks is a great way to get rid of them. It’s one of the most simple DIY garden hacks on the list, but it’s also very helpful for protecting your outdoor plants.

5. Milk Jug as a Watering Can

While this might seem like one of the most unusual gardening tips on this list, it’s such an easy way to recycle and not spend more money on garden tools.

And if you like (or love) recycling, then try making your own watering can out of a milk jug. It’s such a simple DIY gardening trick that’ll help you take care of your plants and cut costs.

6. Protect Against Frost with a Milk Jug

If you’re afraid of frost killing your plants and ruining your hard work, then here’s another cost effective way to reuse your milk jugs.

You can use these for your bigger plants and it’ll keep them safe from the frost overnight. Just make sure to head over to the original page to get more details!

7. Start Seedlings with Egg Shells

I love this idea! It’s such a creative, natural, and organic way to start seedlings. Also, if you have kids, this could be a fun project to try out come springtime!

Update: Page for this garden hack no longer exists, but you can follow this other tutorial for growing seedlings in egg shells here.

8. Prevent Fast Water Drainage with a Coffee Filter

If you don’t want water to drain from your pot too fast, then just use a coffee filter to slow it down.

It’s a great way to repurpose something you already have in the home, save money, and take care of your indoor plants.

Update: Page for this gardening hack no longer exist.

GET THE TUTORIAL

9. A Self-Cleaning & Sharpening Storage Hack for Tools

I’ve been told for a while now that if you treat your equipment right, then it’ll last you so much longer than you ever thought possible. So if you want your gardening tools to last, then try keeping them in a pot with sand and mineral oil.

It’s such a simple gardening hack to keep your tools taken care of, so make sure to check out the tutorial on how do it just right!

GET THE TUTORIAL

10. Use Eggshells Around Your Plants

Egg shells do two things for your plants. First, they protect them from pests like snails, and second, they give them awesome wonderful to grow and thrive.

So if you have some extra egg shells after making breakfast, try crumbling them up and putting them around your plants!

Update: The page for this tip is no longer there.

11. Use Fillers in Your Pot

If you have big pots for some of your plants, then definitely try using fillers like styrofoam or packing peanuts. The dirt and roots will fill in around them and save you some time and money.

---