Cinnamon powder to prevent diseases
Aside from smelling good, cinnamon also has anti-fungal properties. Sprinkle cinnamon powder on seedlings to prevent diseases, especially “damping off” disease.
Idea from The Rusted Garden.
Citrus peel seed starters
Half-lemon slices can be re-used as seed starters or seedling pots after they’ve been squeezed off of all their juice. Aside from looking too cute, they’re biodegradable, environment-friendly, and add nutrients to the soil when planted.
Idea from My Roman Apartment.
Coffee filters to prevent clogged drainage holes
Before re-potting a plant, line the inside of the pot first with coffee filter. It prevents the soil from sneaking out of the drainage holes while watering and also keeps the drainage holes from clogging.
Idea from Pop Sugar.
Coffee grounds to repel slugs and snails
Via: Gardening Know How
Save your coffee grounds for garden pest repellent use. According to Nature journal, “Coffee grounds are already recommended as a home remedy for keeping slugs and snails at bay”.
Cooking water to water plants
When you boil vegetables, eggs, pasta, and potatoes, you can use the water once it’s cool, to water your plants. Nutrients released during the boiling process can also be beneficial for your plants. Do not use cooking water with salt or spices and other seasonings.
Idea from Reader’s Digest.
Disposable diapers to retain soil moisture
Who would’ve thought disposable diapers have an ingenious use in the garden? This may be the furthest thing from our minds, but apparently, it works!
Idea from Sandpaper and Silly Putty.
Epsom salt to prevent transplant shock
When transferring plants from one container to another, the shock from the change in environment may cause plants to weaken and wilt. For some reason, epsom salts minimize this and help plant roots recover from transplant shock.
Tutorial from Plant Care Today.
Ground eggshells for organic pest control
Crushed eggshells work as organic pesticides for garden pests and slugs, like plant-destructive Japanese beetles.
Tutorial from Get Busy Gardening.
Honey to propagate cuttings
We all know that natural honey contain many health benefits. But what a lot of us don’t know yet is that honey contains enzymes that promote root growth in plants, that’s why it’s also used as a ‘rooting hormone’.
Tutorial from Gardening Know-How.
Hydrogen peroxide to prevent root rot and fungal disease
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural antiseptic and has many uses in the household. It can also be very useful for your plants. Spray a hydrogen peroxide solution to your plants and seedlings to prevent root rot and fungal diseases.
Idea from One Good Thing.
No-drip milk jug watering can
Need a bigger watering can that doesn’t drip a lot, plus can water many plants and seedlings at a time? Instead of buying one, make one out of a recycled plastic milk jug instead.
Tutorial from A Journey to a Dream.
Paper towel plant watering system
If you’re going away on vacation for a few days and no one is there to water your plants, you can keep them alive with a glass of water and some paper towels.
Check out how it’s done on Life Hacker.
Self-sharpening garden tool holder
If there’s a way for you to clean your gardening tools quickly and less frequently, so you can get more gardening done in no time, this is it.
Tutorial from One Good Thing.
Vinegar spray weed killer
The acidity in vinegar makes it a natural weed killer. While it is effective, always take care not to use or spill too much vinegar solution into the soil to the point that it turns acidic, as some plants cannot thrive in acidic soil.
Tutorial from Balcony Garden Web.
Wine bottle watering system
When your potted plants don’t get enough water during the summer months, stick a wine bottle filled with water and flipped upside down into the dirt and you have yourself a self-watering planter.
Idea from The Greenists.