Recycle Household Items for Use in the Garden

Recycling is big these days. So is being thrifty. Many people have a vegetable garden because they love the taste of fresh produce but also because they like to save money. If you look through any seed and garden catalog, you'll find hundreds of 'gardening tools'. There are gadget for just about everything. It's very easy to get carried away and be tempted to spend money on these things. However, chances are good that you already have most of what you'll need!

Milk jugs are a gardener's best friend. There are dozens of way to use an old empty gallon milk jug in the garden. Cut it in half and use the bottom as a saucer for a potted plant. You can also use it as a tray to plant seeds. Bury most of the bottom part in the dirt so the top is level with the dirt and fill with beer to make an excellent slug trap. Turn the top part upside down and you have a funnel. Stick it into the ground near a plant and fill with water for prolonged even watering. If you planted too early and there's a frost warning, simply cover the small plants with the top of the milk jug. Cut the jug into strips, write on them with a Sharpie marker and use to mark your plants.

Egg cartons make wonderful starter trays for seeds. If you use the cardboard ones, simply cut the cups apart and stick in the ground with the plant. It'll break down and help nurish the soil. You can also use eggs themselves! Save your eggshells and rinse carefully. You can sit them back in the egg carton for stability. Fill with potting mix and plant your small seeds like herbs. When it's time to transplant to the garden, simply bury the entire eggshell.

Newspaper, cardboard and leaves are three of the best things to use as mulch around your plants. They hold in moisture and prevent weeds from growing. Worms especially love the cardboard and will congregate near the surface and work their magic on your soil. Coffee grounds, cooking water and water from your fish tank are also excellent ways to nurish your soil. Nutrients from vegetables leach out into the cooking water. Allow the water to cool and then use to water your plants. When you change the water in your fish tank, use that water because it's a natural source of nitrogen.

Old broom handles, pieces of wire fence, scrap wood and even branches work great for climbing veggies like beans, peas and tomatoes. Turn an old leaky garden hose into a soaker hose by punching more holes in it. Empty yogurt containers can be used as scoops or plant starter seeds in them.

If you want some of your plants in containers, check your basement, garage and shed before running to the store to buy pots. Old buckets, saucepans, colanders, plastic storage bins (you know, from those organizing projects you never got around to) and even a child's outgrown plastic potty can be used. Just make sure you drill a few holes in the bottom for drainage.

A vegetable garden is a great way to enjoy tasty food and save money. Remember to save even more money by reusing items you already own before buying new things!