One of
pleasurable spin-offs in organic gardening is finding alternative ways of coming up with same, if not better, end result..... Household throwaways can be valuable to alternate enthusiast. Here are ten recyclable ideas to make gardening a little less hard on pocket!1.Hedge clippings: Instead of burning or direct composting, beg, borrow or even buy, if quantity justifies price, an electric garden muncher. Branches up to an inch in diameter are posted into a slot and machine munches them up into small chips. Spread these chips thickly around shrubs or fruit trees to help keep moisture in, and control temperature of soil.
2.Food Waste: All food waste must be composted. Composting is becoming quite an art form, and special composting bins can be bought, or very simply made. There are many different theories and each gardener will find his or her preferred way. Keeping compost fairly warm is overall key to a good result. Or, if you're in no hurry, simply keep adding to a heap, and dig out bottom when required. Sieve before using and compost will be ready for planting small plants and even seeds.
3.Old carpets, large damaged cardboard boxes; and similar materials can be laid over vegetable plot in autumn to help prevent those early spring weeds appearing. Spread over a whole patch and weigh down with stones or logs. Lift off on a sunny day in early spring a few days before digging.
4.Paint trays: Keep old roller painting trays and similar containers for seed trays. Punch a few holes in bottom for drainage. Add a little fine gravel before filling with seed compost. Seed trays shouldn't be deeper than 15cm.
5.Yoghurt pots: All plastic yoghurt or dessert pots can be washed and saved for re-potting seedlings. Make a hole in bottom of each and add a little fine gravel before filling with compost or soil..
6.Glass jars: Glass jars with sealable lids are excellent for storing seeds, beans and peas for planting next year. (Safe from mice as well) After washing jars, dry in oven to remove all traces of moisture before storing your seeds. Collect dark glass jars, or wrap paper round clear jars to prevent seeds being damaged by light.
