Milk Jugs in the Garden

Most families, particularly those with young children, throw out or recycle a number of milk jugs every month. However, these jugs can be used in many ways around your garden. Instead of just tossing your milk jugs in the trash or recycling bin, try some of these ideas to give those plastic containers a second life.

A modified milk jug can be a handy gardening tool. If you cut a triangular shape from the handled side of the jug, the cut potion can work as a cultivator. You will need to cut along the full length of the jug, so that you can get a little of the bottom curve and enough plastic to provide a sturdy plastic edge. This triangular piece of plastic can now be used like a small hoe, to get in between plants to remove sneaky weeds. It can also be used as a scoop, funnel, scrapper for planting, or a small shovel. When you have made this handy little tool, do not simply through away the left over piece of the jug. The scrap can be used to protect seedlings or transplants because it will let in significant light and warmth while keeping the soil moist. You could also cut the scrap into strips or triangles and use as plant markers.

With a good rinse and a few snips of your scissors, or careful use of an exact-o knife, a milk jug can protect seedlings or transplants that are especially sensitive to the weather. You can turn the milk jug into a miniature milk jug by cutting around the bottom of the jug. Cut a hole, leaving one side still attached to the jug in order to serve as an anchor. Then cut away the top inch to inch and a half of the jug, mainly to make watering a little easier. Place the modified milk jug over the plant. To anchor the jug in place put a rock on the flap that you created when cutting the bottom of the jug. You could also just cut the jug in half, horizontally, and use is as a greenhouse. If using this method I suggest keeping an eye on the weather, because if it gets too hot and sunny your recycled greenhouse could cook your poor plants. The jugs will last for a year or two before the plastic begins to break down and needs to be replaced.

One of the easiest uses for the plastic milk jugs is as weights. A filled jug can act as weights to secure row covers, black plastic, or netting. Just be sure to put the cap on the jug once it is full, so that the water does not evaporate into the atmosphere. A bonus benefit of this idea is that you will also have a quick supply of water available if a nearby container plant or small section of garden is desperately in need of water. You can also use a milk jug to contain your compost tea or other diluted soil amendments so that you can sprinkle the fortified liquid on the intended plants as desired.

A milk jug can also be used as a bird feeder. If you plan on hanging the feeder, drill a hole on two sides of the container top and thread a sturdy twine or wire through the holes and secure the ends together. Be certain to make the length long enough to hang the feeder where you want to. Cut a hole in each side of the jug to create holes which birds can access the seeds you place inside. I suggest keeping the holes between two and three inches large, depending on the type of birds you intend to attract. Pre-drill a small hole on each side of the jug, below the feeding hole, and secure a wooden dowel or stick in each as a perch for hungry birds. Fill the jug with birdseed and hang from the chosen spot. If you do not want to hang the feeder, you can also place it on a stump, rock, or even on the ground.

There is no limit to the uses for milk jugs. Use your creativity and imagination to design your own repurposing for materials that would otherwise land in a landfill and stay there for years to come. If you have more great uses for milk jugs in the garden, please share them in the comment section so that we can all continue to try new things.