Healthy Plant Hydration
Water settling at the bottom of pots can lead to root rot. To combat this problem, cut up old sponges and put them in the bottom of the pot. The sponges retain moisture and create necessary air space. They also help prevent water from flushing out the bottom. The sponge acts as a water reserve and keep soil moist longer.
Love to garden but short on time? Here are some tips that will help you plant, water and weed more efficiently so you have more time to stop and smell your roses.
11 DIY Planters Made From Kitchen Castoffs
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Flour Sifter Flower Pot
If you have an old flour sifter you no longer use, try turning into a planter. If you don't have one, there's a good chance you'll find one at a thrift store or garage sale. For additional unique planter ideas, visit Pretty Handy Girl. Photo: Courtesy of Pretty Handy Girl
Dual-Purpose Coffee Pot
Updating your old coffee pot? Try using your castoff as a fishbowl and planter in one. Have your child choose a small fish from the pet store and add a couple small plants to the top of the pot. Read about the project here. Photo: Courtesy of The Unextreme
Coffee Mug
Try using an old coffee mug or tea cup to grow some small plants. Try an oversized mug to hold flowers on your dining table. For more ideas, click here. Photo: Courtesy of The Indoor Gardens
Loaf Pan
Are your loaf pans getting rusty or showing their age? Use them to plant some succulents, which don't need much maintenance. Read more about this project at just about home. Photo: Courtesy of just about home
Cupcake Pan
Instead of cupcakes, this pan is serving up some hens and chicks! You'll need a drill to complete this planter, along with some landscape fabric or burlap. Find the instructions at Fred Gonsowski Garden Home. Photo: Courtesy of Fred Gonsowski Garden Home
Cardboard Carton
Instead of tossing that cardboard milk or orange juice carton in the recycling bin, cut off the top, wrap it with fabric and use it as a planter for herbs or flowers. For more ideas, visit Cut Out + Keep. Photo: Courtesy of Cut Out + Keep
Tea Pot
This old tea pot has a new life as a planter. You can get a similar look with an old coffee carafe. For even more ideas, click here. Photo: Courtesy of So Fresh and So Clean
Coffee Cans
Don't toss those empty coffee cans! Give them an updated look with some paint and use them as planters. For a video tutorial, click here. Photo: Courtesy of iTendToWingIt on YouTube
Cabinet Drawer
If you're remodeling your kitchen, save an old drawer and use it as a planter. You can use it as a small garden box or hang it on the wall for a vertical garden or flower box. For ideas, visit Veggie Gardener. Photo: Courtesy of Veggie Gardener
Plastic Jugs
Those plastic milk jugs can be cut and used as planters. Try hanging them from a fence with wire coat hangers, as shown here. To read about the project, click here. Photo: Courtesy of Croydon Food Swap