Simple Gardening Hacks You Need to Try

Coffee grounds can be a valuable addition to your garden, offering a natural way to enrich your soil. They are rich in nitrogen, providing an essential nutrient that helps plants grow lush and green.

Beginner gardeners can start by adding used coffee grounds directly to the soil around plants. Mix them into the top layer of soil to improve aeration and water retention, especially in heavy clay soils.

For a more advanced technique, consider using coffee grounds to create a simple compost. Mix them with other organic materials like leaves and grass clippings to balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio for optimal decomposition.

It’s important not to overuse coffee grounds, as they can alter soil pH levels. Limit their application to no more than 20% of your total compost volume to avoid soil acidity issues.

Creating DIY self-watering pots can be a game-changer for busy gardeners. These pots help maintain consistent moisture levels, ensuring plants thrive even when you’re away for a few days.

To make your own self-watering pot, start with a large container that has no drainage holes. Drill two holes: one in the side near the base for overflow, and another on the top edge for filling the reservoir.

Insert a wicking material—such as cotton rope or strips of old T-shirt—through the base of the inner pot. This material should touch the water reservoir below, drawing moisture up to the soil as needed.

Fill the inner pot with a well-draining soil mix, like one containing peat, perlite, and vermiculite. This helps prevent root rot while ensuring your plants get the water they need.

For added efficiency, choose plants that naturally thrive in consistently moist conditions, such as ferns or peace lilies. More experienced gardeners can experiment with water-loving varieties like tomatoes, which benefit greatly from steady moisture.

Repurposing eggshells as seedling starters is an eco-friendly and effective way to begin your gardening journey. These natural containers are rich in calcium, which can benefit soil health as they decompose.

Start by carefully cracking eggs in half, rinsing them, and letting them dry. Once prepared, fill each eggshell with a seed-starting mix, such as a light, well-draining soil blend, to provide optimal conditions for germination.

Plant a single seed in each eggshell and place them in a sunny location, such as a windowsill. Ensure they receive consistent moisture by lightly watering them daily, but avoid waterlogging, which can lead to rot.

When seedlings are ready to be transplanted, gently crush the eggshells in your hands before planting them directly into the garden. This technique not only minimizes transplant shock but also enriches the soil with calcium as the shells break down.

Pairing herbs together in your garden can be a game-changer for both plant health and flavor. **Companion planting** involves growing certain herbs in proximity to enhance growth, deter pests, and improve flavor.

Consider planting **basil and tomatoes** together, as basil can help repel insects that often plague tomatoes. For the best results, plant them in well-draining soil and ensure they receive at least six hours of sunlight each day.

Another excellent pairing is **rosemary and sage**, which thrive in similar conditions and can protect each other from certain pests. Both herbs prefer sandy soil and require infrequent watering, making them perfect companions for a low-maintenance garden.

For those with a bit more experience, try growing **chives and carrots** together; chives help deter carrot flies with their strong aroma. Ensure both plants are spaced appropriately, using rich soil and watering them consistently to achieve a healthy harvest.

Using newspaper as mulch is an effective way to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. Begin by laying down a few sheets of newspaper, about 5-7 layers thick, directly onto the soil around your plants.

It’s important to wet the newspaper thoroughly after laying it down to ensure it stays in place and begins breaking down. This simple technique not only improves soil health as the paper decomposes but also enhances the water retention capabilities of your garden bed.

For best results, cover the newspaper with a layer of organic mulch like straw, wood chips, or leaves, which adds an extra layer of protection and improves the garden’s appearance. This practice is particularly beneficial in vegetable gardens, where consistent moisture levels are crucial for healthy plant growth.

Advanced gardeners might experiment with different types of newspaper to compare their effectiveness. Avoid colored inks, as they may contain toxins that can harm your soil’s health.