Hello Fellow Gardeners,

Today we’re going to complete our Going Green series with part three of Going Green in the Garden. If you are interested in previous recycling/gardening articles please check out these links…

New Recycling Ideas

Going Green in the Garden Part 1 and Part 2

Now let’s get started!

Old Coffee Cans

Keep an old coffee can around the kitchen! This little container is the perfect size to collect a day or two worth of kitchen scraps like egg shells, fruit peels, and wilted veggies! Once full, simply empty it into your compost bin along with other common items you’d find around the house like newspapers and shredded junk mail! In a few months you’ll have wonderful vitamin rich compost to use in your garden from items you would have otherwise thrown away! Best of all, the coffee can lid helps keep nasty smells to a minimum and won’t attract pesky critters to your home. Hmmm, an old coffee can…convenient and helps make cleanup a breeze!

And don’t throw away those old coffee grounds either! Throw them in your compost bin along with everything else, or mix them in with the soil in your houseplants! Just like you, your plants like a little jolt of caffeine to help give them a boost!

Ashes

Who doesn’t like a nice warm fire to sit next to this time of year? Unfortunately a wood fire creates ashes that are messy and can cause stains on your carpet. However, here’s a new use for old ashes that may just make them rise in your esteem! Save the completely cooled ashes outside, in a metal garbage can for next Spring, then sprinkle around your plants! The ashes will give your plants (like Lupines) a nitrogen and potassium boost, helping make them happy and healthy!

Always use caution when handling and storing ashes! Don’t forget to wear a mask to protect yourself from inhaling small particles, and store away from buildings! In other words, use good old common sense!

Old Spice Containers

I love using spices when I cook, so much so that I found myself having a lot of the little empty containers lying around! I knew there had to be some use for them, but I didn’t find it until I was struggling planting small seeds in soil. Then it hit me!

I put my seeds in the empty container, snapped on the lid, and voila! I had a homemade seed container that with a little shake distributed my seeds perfectly—no mess and no stress!

Keep all your empty spice containers, and in the fall when you collect seeds from your garden, simply label the container and place the seeds inside! Next Spring they’re ready to go!

Have a great recycling idea that can help make someones life a little easier and help save the planet? Don’t keep it to yourself! Share it with the world in the comments section below!

Stay tuned for more tips, tricks, ideas, and inspiration on cold climate gardening from the Daily Weeder!

Happy Gardening,

Marie Suzanne

Hello Fellow Gardeners,

Today we’re going to continue our look at innovative ideas for recycling in the garden. If you are interested in previous articles of a similar nature check out:

Going Green in the Garden Part 1

Save the Environment and Save Money Part 1 and Part 2.

The ideas presented in these articles can help you reuse everyday items you find around the house in your garden. You can save time, money, and help the environment, and you may just have a little fun along the way!

Paper Egg Cartons

The paper type egg cartons are a great size for starting seedlings in! Simply fill the twelve individual holes with a little bit of a soil/compost mixture, press your seeds down just below the soil, and keep in a warm (not hot!) well lighted environment. Throw in a little TLC, and water as needed, and in a few weeks or months you can have nice seedlings to transplant outside! Best part is, no need to go through the trouble of un-potting the seedling, simply cut the section of the egg carton that holds your seedling, and plant in your garden as is—the egg carton will naturally decompose providing your plant with nutrients!

Don’t throwaway those egg shells either! Add the egg shells to your compost bin and later give your plants a homemade nutrient boost by mixing in some compost with the soil! For two more great uses for egg shells check out: Save the Environment and Save Money Part 2!

Old Plastic Bags

No, we’re not going bonkers! There is a use for an old plastic bag in your garden! You know all those clay pots you have? Well, you may have noticed you have to water them more often because they have a tendency to dry out pretty quickly. The reason for this is because the clay pot is porous and it absorbs the water, robbing your plant of its much needed drink! A quick fix is to simply provide a barrier between the clay pot and your soil with an old plastic bag! Don’t forget to add a hole in the bottom for drainage! Voila!

Old Nylon Stockings

Got a pair of old nylons lying around the house? Don’t throw them out, you may be surprised just what these little wonders can do in your garden!

Nylons are great to tie your plants up with! The material is light which lets air circulate, while still being strong and getting the job done! Best part is that they last forever!

Turn your rain barrel into a giant cup of tea… for your garden! Simply scoop some fresh manure into a pair of old nylons and let steep in your rain barrel for a few days. Use the manure “tea” to water your garden, giving your flowers a great nutrient boost while still providing much needed water! It’s a one two punch!

These are just a few ideas of how to reuse items in your garden you would otherwise throw away. If you have some tips you would like to share, let the world know in your comments below! You can help make the planet a little greener!

Stay tuned for more great tips, tricks, ideas and inspiration on cold climate gardening! Love our blog—get it delivered in your email by subscribing!

Happy Gardening,

Marie Suzanne

Hello Fellow Gardeners,

Now is the perfect time to start saving household items to recycle in your garden in the Spring! These items will save you time and money, work great in the garden, and have the added benefit of keeping the world a little bit cleaner! Gardeners love green, and If we all just make a few small adjustments, and get a little creative we can really help the environment flourish! Here are a few ideas to help get you started…

Start saving everyday items such as…

Newspapers and Paper Grocery Bags

Newspapers and paper grocery bags are great for keeping the weeds down in your garden and also help to keep your soil moist! Simply apply several wet sheets down on the ground around your plants and cover with mulch. The paper will naturally decompose over time and add nutrients to your soil! Why spend money on expensive landscape fabric when you have a solution delivered everyday in your newspaper box!

Pencil Shavings

I collect pencil shavings from my pencil sharpener and sprinkle them on top of my houseplants soil. It’s a great way to help keep bugs at bay! Simply sprinkle and water!

Plastic Bottles

We all have a few plastic bottles lying around the house from juice, water, or pop. Instead of throwing them out reuse them in your garden!

Plastic bottles can be used as a watering dispenser in a flower basket. Turn upside down (keeping the cap on), poke a few holes in the sides, and cut the bottom off, then simply insert it in the middle of your flower basket! Not only will this make it nice and easy to water your potted plants since the bottle acts like a funnel, but the water will trickle out over time and water your plant evenly down in the soil where your plant needs it most! Don’t forget to add a little natural fertilizer to your water to really give your plant a boost!

If it’s a hot day, and your plant looks like its starting to wilt, try putting a few ice cubes in the bottle instead of water! The ice will slowly melt keeping your plant hydrated all day, as well as help your plant cool off a bit!

Interested in even more tips? The Daily Weeder has you covered! Check out these previous articles…

Save the Environment and Save Money: Part 1

Save the Environment and Save Money: Part 2

Mother Nature has been showing her concern for the environment with the vast changes in weather many areas have been experiencing. We can take these hints now to help right our wrongs! The Daily Weeder will be exploring the world of recycling for your garden throughout 2008, but if you have some great ideas that we haven’t thought of—don’t keep them to yourself! Help make the world a better place by sharing them in the comments!

Keep a look out for our next article Going Green in the Garden Part 2 or get it delivered automatically in your email box by subscribing!

Happy Gardening,

Marie Suzanne