Our gardening community is full of creative minds who love to repurpose and reuse. We received hundreds of incredible responses for our DIY garden hacks contest, and we’ve put together a list of the top 10 hacks that focus on reusing materials to create a sustainable garden. 

  1. Toilet Paper Roll Seed Starters: Use halved toilet paper rolls to make biodegradable seed starters. Plant the rolls directly in the soil, and they’ll decompose naturally. 
  2. Sticks as Garden Markers: Reuse sticks from your garden as plant markers. Write the plant names on the sticks with a marker or paint for a rustic and eco-friendly labeling solution. 
  3. Egg Carton Seed Trays: Use old egg cartons as seed trays. The compartments are perfect for starting seeds, and the carton can be planted directly into the soil, where it will break down. 
  4. Recycled Plastic Bottle Greenhouses: Cut the bottoms off plastic bottles and place them over young seedlings. These mini greenhouses protect seedlings from the cold and create a humid environment to encourage growth. 
  5. Cork Plant Labels: Save wine corks and use them as plant labels. Write the plant names on the corks and attach them to sticks for durable and reusable markers. 
  6. Pallet Compost Bin: Create a compost bin using old wooden pallets. This simple and effective bin helps you recycle garden waste into nutrient-rich compost. 
  7. Broken Pot Drainage: Use broken clay pots or crockery to improve drainage in larger planters. Place the pieces at the bottom of the planter to prevent soil from clogging drainage holes. 
  8. CD and DVD Bird Scarers: Hang old CDs or DVDs in your garden to deter birds from eating your seeds and plants. The reflective surfaces and movement scare the birds away. 
  9. Repurposed Furniture Planters: Give old furniture a new life by turning it into unique garden planters. An old dresser, for example, can be used to grow a variety of plants in its drawers. Look for furniture with non-toxic paints and stains. 
  10. Glass Jar Luminaries: Use old glass jars to create garden luminaries. Fill them with candles or solar lights and hang them around your garden for a charming and eco-friendly lighting solution. 

Want to read more eco-friendly hack submissions? Check out our two blogs below based off user submissions: 

Top 10 Eco-Friendly DIY Garden Hacks – Water Conservation

Top 10 Eco-Friendly DIY Garden Hacks — Natural Fertilizers & Pest Control

All these eco-friendly hacks were submitted by our wonderful community are we hope they will inspire you to make your garden more sustainable. Try them out and share your own tips with us.