In response to our recent contest to submit eco-friendly DIY gardening hacks, we received hundreds of amazing responses. Thank you to our gardening community, who shared some enlightening and practical hacks that will help gardeners with planting and maintaining their gardens while supporting their surrounding environment.  

In this article, we've pulled together the top 10 DIY hack submissions focusing on water conservation. These hacks will help you save water while keeping your garden lush and thriving. 

  1. Rainwater Harvesting with Recycled Containers: Reuse old plastic barrels or containers to collect rainwater. Position them under downspouts to maximize water collection and use it for watering your plants. 
  2. DIY Drip Irrigation System: Create a drip irrigation system using recycled plastic bottles. Poke small holes in the caps and bury the bottles next to your plants, ensuring a slow and steady water supply directly to the roots. 
  3. Olla Pots for Deep Root Watering: Bury unglazed clay pots (ollas) near plant roots. Fill them with water, and they’ll slowly release moisture to the plants, reducing evaporation and water waste. 
  4. Mulch Magic: Use organic mulch such as straw, leaves, or grass clippings around your plants. Mulch helps retain soil moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering. 
  5. Self-Watering Planters from Recycled Materials: Make self-watering planters using old plastic containers. These planters have a reservoir at the bottom that provides a consistent water supply to the plants through capillary action. 
  6. Recycled Milk Jug Watering Can: Create a watering can from an old milk jug. Poke small holes in the cap for a gentle sprinkle, perfect for delicate seedlings. 
  7. DIY Terracotta Watering Spikes: Use terracotta spikes inserted into the soil and connected to a water-filled bottle. The porous terracotta allows for slow water release directly to the roots. 
  8. Watering Early in the Morning: Water your garden early in the morning to reduce evaporation. This ensures that more water reaches the roots rather than evaporating in the heat of the day. 
  9. Drought-Tolerant Plant Varieties: Choose drought-tolerant plants for your garden. These plants require less water and are more resilient during dry periods. 
  10. Cover Crops to Retain Moisture: Use cover crops like clover or vetch in your garden beds. These plants help retain soil moisture, reduce erosion, and improve soil health. 

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 – Reusing Materials

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

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