These Insanely Genius Hacks Will Help Anyone Grow A Perfect Garden

by Shelley Thompson

Most people do not have the time to take gardening classes or learn everything there is to know about growing plants, fruits and vegetables, and landscaping. But fortunately, you only need a few gardening hacks to transform your yard into something beautiful. This collection of gardening tips is designed to teach you new and practical techniques for creating the enchanting garden and backyard you have always wanted but didn't want to slave for. These tricks are simple and helpful. And even if you are new to gardening, these hacks will get you started in the right direction. So, keep scrolling to enhance your green thumb!

Sprinkle this baking ingredient over tomato seeds for extra flavor

While going to your local grocery store or farmer's market to stock up on tomatoes is pretty simple, you might have noticed that those can sometimes taste bland. They are much tastier if you can grow them yourself.

The best part is that growing them in your garden does not take much time or effort. However, one gardening tip to remember is that you can add flavor to your homegrown tomatoes by sprinkling baking powder over the seeds. 

Lemon skins can help your seedlings grow

If you eat lemons on a regular basis, this hack is perfect for you. Since you only require the skin to master this genius gardening hack, you can still use the delicious flesh and juice. 

Did you know that lemon skin form perfect cups that can aid in the growth of your seedlings? When they are ready, simply plant them directly into the soil with the shell of the lemon acting as a pot. The lemon skin will eventually decompose and enrich the soil with nutrients.

WD-40 is a gardner's best friend

If you are gradually allowing your green fingers to take over, you know that keeping your yard in top shape requires many tools. And most of these items are left outside in a garage or shed, exposing them to rust and weather damage. 

Of course, replacing them is not cheap, so what are you supposed to do? If you find yourself in this scenario, it looks like WD-40 will be your new BFF, as this miraculous spray can clean anything up. Spray it on your dirty tools and watch them look brand new in seconds. 

Don't throw away cardboard tubes

Unless you don't use toilet paper, chances are that you throw away many cardboard tubes. But what if you did not have to get rid of them? Since they are made of recyclable cardboard, these tubes can also be used as seedling planters.

In addition, they are completely compostable. This is one of the best ways to help your seedlings grow; plant them separately in little cardboard tubes and keep them together until they are ready to be transported out into the open ground. 

Turn wine bottles into watering cans

If you leave your house a lot or forget to water your plants, this genius hack is for you. Watering your plants takes significant time and dedication, which some people cannot commit to.

Fortunately, if you have a few extra wine bottles, you can keep an eye on your plants. Just fill some bottles with water, turn them upside down, and let the bottles release the water to keep the plants hydrated slowly. 

Make heart-shaped watermelons

If you are looking to start growing your own vegetables and fruits, you should consider breaking the mold, literally. While most farmers let their produce grow naturally, some prefer something a little different, which is where produce molds come in. 

These molds cling to the vegetable in the early stages of their growth, allowing them to grow into the mold as they grow larger. This means you can have giant heart-shaped watermelons, square tomatoes, and even Buddha-shaped pears.

Seed tape is a secret weapon

If you are starting from scratch, you probably researched everything there is to know about planting seeds. Seed tape is an excellent addition to your planting process, and while some people buy it at the store, others have been able to make their own at home. 

All you need for this hack is toilet paper, flour, and water. Tear off some toilet paper and mix it with three parts water and one part flour. Then, smear the mixture over the tape and evenly distribute your seeds before folding the toilet paper in half.

How to protect your plants from the cold

Although it is easy to believe that plants are tough and resilient, they frequently require some protection. It is your responsibility as their adopted parent to keep them warm during the coldest months.

So, it might be a surprise to learn that milk jugs can help you do that. Remember that frost can have a significant impact on plants. Therefore, it is critical to keep frost at bay by covering each plant with a jug. This is an excellent way to recycle your plastic jugs and protect your plants. 

Placing basil stems in water will save them

It is cheap and simple to buy fresh herbs at your local grocery store, but what most gardeners do not know is that they do not have to throw the herbs away when they begin to look a little rough.

Basil is one of the toughest herbs but also one of the most delicious. Even if the stems appear rough or dry, soaking them in water for a few days will save them. New roots should form, allowing you to grow basil in your garden.

Pour a teaspoon of Epsom salt to make your seeds germinate faster

Many people fantasize about large tomato vines snaking through their gardens, but this does not have to be a dream. This fruit is relatively simple to grow and maintain, but there are a few tricks that should make the entire process go more smoothly.

Pouring a teaspoon of Epsom salt into the hole before putting your tomato seeds should help them germinate as quickly as possible. When the tomatoes have begun to grow, continue spraying them with an Epsom salt and water solution.

How a potato can help grow beautiful roses

Roses have long been considered some of the most beautiful and romantic flowers, but they are also expensive. So, if you want to plant your own roses and have your personal collection, here is the trick. 

Using a potato is a genius hack to regrow roses. To do so, cut an inch off the stem of a rose and coat the end with cinnamon before inserting it into a potato. While this may seem a little weird, it actually works!

Your online shopping addiction is useful in the garden

If you cannot get enough online shopping, you probably have a lot of packing peanuts around your house. Most people would throw these in the trash, but you might want to keep them safe. 

This is because these packing peanuts can significantly improve plant drainage. Most potted plants do not require deep roots, so if you have a large pot, simply fill it with these peanuts. This will also aid drainage because the peanuts will absorb any excess water.

Don't discard egg shells

You can always use natural ingredients for a variety of purposes, and eggshells are no exception. Most people enjoy an omelet or poached egg for breakfast, but throwing the shells away can seem like a waste. 

Fortunately, there is a way to reintroduce those shells into the earth. They decompose in your soil and enrich it. So, the next time you have some leftover eggshells, crumble them around your plants and let them do their thing.

Scrape your nails on a bar of soap

Avid gardeners' hands are constantly covered in dirt. And if they are not, you are not doing your gardening right! But there is something that you can do before you go outside to make cleaning your nails less of a chore. 

Scrape your nails on a soap bar before heading out into your yard, and let the soap deposits work their way under your nails. When soil tries to get under there, it will not be able to, and you will only have to clean up the soap.

Moss can make your garden more magical

You might have noticed that almost all fairytale movies show forest flora in the trees and on the ground. Yes, these films frequently feature beautiful carpets of moss, but most people regard moss as a bad omen in their garden.

However, that is not the case. Moss can actually benefit your yard because it prevents weeds from growing by cutting off the oxygen supply. Furthermore, moss in the right places can look quite magical too. So, embrace moss!

Paint rocks to identify where you have planted

Whether you want to grow herbs, fruits, vegetables, or flowers, you will probably want to keep track of what is growing where. Of course, you could go to the store and buy plastic markers to write on and stick into the ground. But here is a better idea.

Find some rocks and paint them in various colors to brighten your yard and label where you have planted your seeds. Write the names on the rocks of the plants found in the soil. 

DIY bucket garden for small spaces

Got a tiny yard but big gardening dreams? Don't worry! With a bit of creativity, even the smallest spaces can turn into lush gardens. This DIY gallon bucket garden hack is perfect for those short on room.

By using large gallon buckets and some wooden beams, you can craft a unique, raised garden bed. It's not just space-efficient but also back-friendly, making gardening a breeze for everyone. This idea is a game-changer, especially for folks who find bending over tough.

Remove salt deposits with this simple hack

Sometimes, clay pots can become clogged with salt deposits. This might cause them to lose their bright color and look worn out, but you will be relieved to know that there is a simple hack to help you with that.

Combine rubbing alcohol, water, and vinegar to make a solution. Brush it over your containers and allow the solution to do its work. Once you are finished, your pot will look as good as new. 

DIY bird bath from a tree stump

If there is a tree in your yard that is causing you problems and you have always wanted to cut it down, there is something that you can do. Transform that tree stump into a bird bath.

You can DIY a bath by placing a water dish on top of the stump. This excellent hack will provide a place for cute birds in your garden to rest and clean themselves, and it will undoubtedly provide you with some entertainment while you drink your morning coffee. So, chop it down but keep it functional.

Store Seeds In The Most Efficient Way

We bet you never thought about storing your seeds in photo album? Well, turns out this approach is one of the most efficient ways to do so, and theres a great order to the process.

For a more compact method, a photo album with sleeves allows you to slip packets of seeds into them. Additionally, you can include notes about the seeds and arrange them in order of planting time. Organization at its finest.

DIY Watering Can From a Plastic Milk Jug

We all know gardening may not be the cheapest hobby, but we’ve discovered hacks to help with that. In fact, there are a few things that really don’t require any money, and this is one everyone can get on board with.

By taking an empty milk carton and a needle, it just requires a few holes in the lid to create a watering jug for the plants! We love anything that upcycles items we already own, not to mention recycling plastic efficiently.

Grow tangerines up, not out

Forget about buying tangerines again! With the magic of vertical gardening, you can grow these juicy fruits in the smallest of spaces, even on your balcony. The key to this compact vertical garden? Just a simple item you probably already have.

Tomato cages are your secret weapon for growing citrus trees indoors. Choosing tangerine or Sunkist orange trees makes perfect sense - they bear fruit all year and thrive in pots. Not to mention, they have a great sweet taste.

Make your own de-weeding solution at home

It does not take an expert gardener to know that some weeds are not good for your yard. If they appear to take up every available space in your yard and multiply before your eyes, here is an easy solution. 

Make your own de-weeding solution at home, which only requires one ingredient! Simply sprinkling salt on these weeds should cause them to shrivel up quickly, as the salt depletes the weed of water, causing it to become dehydrated.

Get Creative And Save Money By Upcycling Old Boots

Once again, there are just some things that you really don’t need to buy for gardening and we’re all about saving money with our DIY creations. This time, it’s not only frugal, but it’s also really beautiful.

Using boots as plant pots has so many benefits. To make a boot planter all you need is a pair of boots, a drill, potting soil, and some flowers to plant. Drill drainage holes on the bottom, fill it with soil, then get planting!

Help your seeds to grow quicker

Anyone can plant seeds, but there are a few gardening hacks to help you accelerate the process. While you could simply plant them in the soil and let them grow on their own, one simple trick can help them grow even faster.

The hack here is to soak the seeds in some warm water for at least 24 hours before planting them. You can soften the seed's coating and help the roots develop by doing so, but the water must be warm rather than hot.

Dig a diaper into the soil to avoid overwatering

Diapers are associated with babies. But what if we told you that diapers could come in handy during your gardening experiments? Well, babies use diapers because they are extremely absorbent, right?

And this is what you need when it comes to your plants. If you are concerned about overwatering your flower beds or plant pots, dig a diaper into the soil or wrap it around your pots. The diaper will catch any excess water and keep everything moist.

Restore Rusty Garden Tools In This Super Simple Way

A gardener would not be a gardener without their tools, but you may notice that they can become not only dirty but also blunt. Most people believe this is the end of the tool's life, but that doesn't need to be the case.

By spraying vinegar on the tools, covering it in tissue and then spraying it again, leave the tools to dry for two hours before soaking them in water and baking soda and cleaning with a toothbrush - sparkly like new!

Keeping Flowers Blooming All Year Round

If you want to make your garden as colorful and vibrant as possible, check out the following hack. To start with, put the same flowers in one section, and then take different flowers to another section to create distinct segments.

Taking into account blooming seasons, you should get a color explosion of flowers that will grow efficiently and throughout the year. Since each flowers have different needs, it is important to know them to get the best results.

Create your own self-contained herb garden

If you only have a small space and cannot go all-out with your gardening plans, why not start with a small herb garden? The best part about a herb garden is that you can make your self-contained garden out of whatever you want.

It is important to take into consideration some factors, such as providing strong light for these indoor herbs, as well as, growing each herb in a seperate pot. Most importantly check which herbs grow best indoors, such as basil, mint, and oregano. 

Solve The Most Annoying Part Of The Garden

While sloping gardens can be charming with their country design style, they can also be challenging landscapes. But with this hack, you can solve one of the most annoying garden challenges.

Since water naturally flows down the slope and settles at the bottom, where possible, incorporate some rocks into your sloping garden. This will allow the water to be absorbed in all levels and save the plants at the bottom.

How to use frozen herbs

While we may have spoken about how best to grow herbs indoors, we also have a hack for the best and yummiest ways to keep herbs. This hack helps reduce waste but also keeps herbs going longer in the winter months.

Take fresh herbs, remove the stems, and chop the herbs as desired. Then pack ice cube trays about 2/3 full of herbs and pour EVO or melted butter over the herbs. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and freeze overnight before storing in freezer containers.

You can easily grow green onions at home

Fruits and vegetables can be purchased at your local grocery store, but you can grow your own using cuttings from produce you already have. For instance, it is extremely simple to regrow green onions from the comfort of your own home.

To do this, keep the green onion's root bulb, which you will then place in a container with enough water to cover the entire bulb. As the days pass, the onions and roots should grow larger and larger.

How to utilize beer in your garden

Although we love all of the animals on this planet, there is no denying that slugs can wreak havoc on your carefully planned garden. They can eat your flowers in a matter of days and disrupt the entire organization of your yard. 

So, if you are looking to get rid of these slugs and prevent them from returning, we have a garden hack for you. Just pour a beer into a dish and place it in your garden. It will attract slugs, so they will stay away from your plants.

No need to buy rope. Make ties with this

To grow plants with weak stems, you must ensure that they are always supported. You could purchase rope to secure your plant, but why not just use what you already have?

One simple and inexpensive way to make your own ties is to repurpose those t-shirts that you were going to throw away. You can make many ties by cutting these shirts into little strips and then into even smaller ones.

Make a space-saving onion planter

Transform your small balcony into a lush green space with a DIY vertical onion planter. All you need is a large plastic bottle, some soil, and onions. This project is super easy, quick, and fun to make. Just follow these steps.

Cut holes big enough for each onion. Add soil up to the first set of holes, then place onions pointy side up. Continue layering soil and onions until the bottle is full. Water well. This simple setup allows you to harvest fresh spring onions in no time.

Keep the pests away with this DIY home remedy

Slugs are not the only animals that can cause problems in your garden; a plethora of other creatures will eat their way through your flowers and leaves. Luckily, there are natural alternatives that will keep these critters at bay. 

A natural concoction can be made with a glass of water, one tablespoon of canola oil, and some dish soap. The critters should stay away if you spray this on your plants, and this will allow your garden to thrive without unwanted guests.

Trust Us, You Don't Really Need It

While we all know it’s simple advice to not buy what you don’t need, we also all know it’s harder to put it into practice. The same happens with gardening, when we buy lots of equipment only to realize we don't use half of it.

So, now the advice we'd like you to follow is this. Start with a few basic tools and with time you’ll be wiser about the purchases to come. It's more cost efficient and reduces waste and resources. 

Only buy plants that you know will thrive

Although you may have grand plans to fill your garden with your favorite flowers, certain plants only thrive in specific temperatures and climates. As a result, having your heart set on certain plants can be a concern.

Instead of just buying the plants you love without doing any research, make sure that you understand where these plants will thrive and whether you will be able to care for them in this environment. It is time to reconsider your garden and its contents.

Have you ever considered growing squash in your yard?

When it comes to a vegetable garden, everyone has their own wants and desires, and while some people are content with the basics, others want to go all out. Have you considered growing squash in your garden? 

This vegetable must be grown off the ground so it can hang as it grows. As a result, it is a good idea to grow them from a trellis or other structure that allows for movement. There are squash varieties that thrive in both cold and hot weather. Grow these veggies if you have the space for it. 

Knowing what your plant wants

If you want your plants to thrive, you must understand that some of them are also extremely sensitive to sunlight or shade. This is because, like humans, all plants are unique. Some people prefer sitting in the sun, while others prefer not to sweat.

This information is usually found on seed packets when you buy them. On the one hand, daisies and lavender thrive in the sun. Begonias and hydrangeas, on the other hand, prefer shade. It all boils down to understanding what your plant truly desires.

Attract butterflies to your garden

Butterflies, like bees, play an important role in the growth of crops, plants, trees, and flowers. This is because they are the ultimate pollinators, allowing new flowers to be fertilized so they can continue growing and cleaning the air of pollutants.

With this in mind, you should do everything possible to attract butterflies to your garden. For instance, plant flowers such as lavender, goldenrod, fennel, and hollyhock. You can also make your own butterfly feeder to ensure that they get enough food.

Use upcycled materials and be creative

One of the most enjoyable aspects of gardening is that your yard is entirely unique. There are no specific rules to follow, and you can decorate it however you want. Many people are becoming crafty and creative in their landscaping abilities.

And this is thanks to the availability of upcycled materials. You can use old crates to make borders, old tires to make pots and planting areas, and even pallets to create walls and flowering structures. The possibilities are limitless.

The most popular fruits only need well-draining soil and sunny weather

If you enjoy fruits, you will be pleased to learn that you can grow them all from the comfort of your own home. While they are not difficult to grow, there are some tricks that can help them grow as perfectly as possible. 

The most popular fruits, such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, only need well-drained soil and sunny weather to thrive, and they do best when planted in the spring. Of course, this is not true for every fruit, so do your research.

Plant the pot straight into the soil

If you want to have an amazing garden but do not have the time to put a lot of effort into each plant, why not take the lazy route? You can get the same results without spending as much time.

That is because you do not have to mess with the plant or remove the pot before planting it in the soil. Planting the pot directly into the soil will get the same result while saving you significant time and effort. 

Use a trash can as a water collector

Nowadays, people are attempting to live sustainably, which often entails living off the land and relying on the natural products that Mother Nature provides. As a result, it might be a good idea to start collecting rainwater so that you can use it to keep your plants hydrated.

And while a real water system can be purchased, it can often cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. So, you do not have to break the bank to be more sustainable, as you can also use a trash can as a water collector. 

Transform your yard by adding little details

It would be a waste to spend most of your free time indoors after spending so much time making sure that your gardening is on point. So, once your flowers bloom and your fruits and vegetables grow well, it may be time to focus on yard decoration.

You can transform your yard by adding small details such as outdoor lighting, a pond, or even an impressive water feature. You can create an oasis that will either relax you after a long day or simply fill you with joy when you look at it. 

Put small plants in ice cream cones

At first, planting fragile and small little plants that have grown from seedlings in small pots may seem like a good idea to keep them safe. However, this can cause some problems when they outgrow that pot and need to be moved to another.

Potting these tiny plants in ice cream cones is a great way to support them. They look great, and they also allow the plant to grow over time. When this occurs, the roots burst out of the cone and solidify in the soil. 

A coffee filter prevents overwatering

If you cannot get through the day without a cup of coffee in the morning, you are probably throwing away a lot of coffee filters every month. Coffee filters are built to be extremely absorbent, which is why they can be extremely useful when you first start gardening. 

They are especially useful when potting indoor plants because a filter can be placed inside the pot before adding the soil and the plant itself. Moreover, this not only keeps everything together as it grows, but it also allows water to be absorbed, which helps to prevent overwatering.