15 Gardening Hacks That Actually Work

Protect young plants from rabbits, deer and voles with a wire wastebasket from the dollar store. Hold it down with landscape pins. The baskets are big enough to leave on while the plant grows larger.

Use a vase of water and a cotton string to wick water to houseplants while you are away on vacation. Raise the level of the vase higher than the plants to get a better result.

Soak banana peels in water for fertilizer plants love, especially roses and tomatoes. As they decompose, they release potassium, phosphorus, and other beneficial nutrients. Simply cut them into smaller pieces, add water and cover for a couple of days. Strain the water and pour over your plants.

Fill a bucket with coarse sand and mix in some mineral oil. Plunging your hand tools (shovels, trowels, etc.) into the sand a few times will clean off dirt and rust while the oil helps prevent future corrosion.

Dissolve 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt per gallon of water and use it to water your plants. The magnesium sulfate can help promote greener leaves and stronger growth. This works best for houseplants like ferns, pothos and vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. Do a soil test before using it for in-ground plants as the magnesium levels may already be high enough.

Place a terracotta pot (hole plugged) in the middle of a container as a watering device. The water seeps out slowly, keeping the plants from drying out as quickly. If your container is in full sun, add a saucer over the top to prevent evaporation.

Create a pollinator-friendly drinking station by adding rocks to inexpensive plates and setting around the garden.

Raid the office supplies for the garden. Use binder clips to hang your gardening gloves to allow them to dry and keep them paired.

Keep a container of baby wipes in your gardening kit to quickly wipe down tool blades after use, removing sap and dirt to prevent rust.

Rub soap under your nails before gardening to prevent dirt from getting trapped. Wet the bar of soap first so it stays in place.

Paint some rocks to use as a colorful reminder where bulbs and seeds will be coming up in the spring.

Halved orange, lemon, or grapefruit rinds can be used as small, biodegradable seed-starting containers. Make a small drainage hole at the bottom. Once seedlings are ready, plant the entire rind directly into the soil.

Instead of buying a germination mat, use a heating pad on low to gently warm your soil. This helps you get a more uniform germination and improves germination rates by maintaining an optimal soil temperature.

A mesh laundry bag is a cheap and convenient way to collect and wash your veggies. Simply throw it in the wash to keep it clean.