With budgets tightening and resources shrinking, now is the perfect time to recycle materials for the benefit of your plants, your pocket, and the environment.
Not only do you reduce the amount of waste you produce, but you save money, which can’t be a bad thing!
I’ve listed a few ways that you can recycle used household items to help you grow your plants. Give everything a good clean before you use them!
1. Recycling Pots
Your plant doesn’t care what colour its pot is, so why not recycle materials and make use of old plastic bottles, pots and cups?
Just cut them to size and make a few drainage holes in the bottom and you’ve got a free, perfectly good plant pot!
If you are too lazy to cut up your rubbish, then visit your garden centre. Most garden good centres offer a ‘Free Pot’ service. Don’t be shy!
2. Recycling Water
Many plants, such as Orchids, should only be watered with rain water as tap water contains many unhelpful chemicals.
Many common garden plants are less fussy – many of them won’t object to your waste water from the bath or kitchen – think how much goes down the drain!
3. Recycling Bottles
Recycling bottles is a must for every gardener. Old Pop bottles are ideal as mini-greenhouses. Just cut the bottom off and you have a lovely little greenhouse with a removable top! Screw and unscrew the cap when you want to alter the humidity – Perfect!
4. Recycling Soil
You can even re-use soil and compost. Empty the old pot and sieve out the dead / residual roots. Then place the soil in a metal pan in the oven, on a low heat, for a couple of hours. When cooled you’ve got a load of free sterilised soil. I mix this in with new compost and have never had pest or disease problems!
5. Compost Heap
One of the most rewarding ways to recycle is to have a compost heap. If you grow veg, you shouldn’t be without one! You can usually obtain low-cost compost bins from your council or local garden centre, however it is easy to make one yourself.
Think of all the uncooked food waste you throw away. It could be adding goodness to your garden in a years’ time! Recycling material such as uncooked food waste can directly benefit your plants and you!
I take recycling very seriously and do as much as I can. I often use recycled packaging to post your plants out. It is always sturdy and effective, even if it isn’t pretty.
If I use a new box, please recycle it yourself. As I say, it saves more than money!