From House to Garden: Green Recycling Methods that Will Benefit Your Garden
As a green homeowner, you take recycling very seriously. Perhaps you already up cycle paper, reuse glass and even rinse food containers before placing them in your bin for easy rubbish removal. Did you also know that recycling kitchen waste can be valuable to your garden?
Since gardening is one of the greenest things you can do, here are a few green methods you've probably never thought of that could benefit your garden.
Egg carton seedlings
Instead of purchasing expensive kits and plastic seed starter pots, make use of free egg cartons that you'd otherwise throw into the rubbish bin. The egg carton cup is the perfect size to grow individual seedlings until they are sturdy and large enough to thrive in the garden.
The cardboard on the egg carton is useful for this recycling method since it will decompose on its own once you put it in the ground where you want your seedlings to grow.
Coconut husk as fibre plant pots
Coconut shells make excellent planters! The coir (husk fibre) is an environmentalist's dream! Other than the day to day applications – as fuel and for making household items such as ropes, mats, furniture and bed coir – coconut husk provides natural growing benefits that will help your produce better plants while reducing your household waste.
Fibre plant pots made from coconut husk are completely biodegradable but will stay hard enough for a good length of time when kept above ground. Once your plant is large enough, you can place everything into the soil as the pot will disintegrate safely, hence providing nutrients for your new plants.
Plastic bottles to save water and protect your plants
You probably already recycle your plastic bottles in bins. But that's only one option. You can use plastic bottles as funnels to direct water to the roots of your plants by cutting the top part of the bottle and turning it upside down.
You can also use the funnel to catch and direct rain water to a plastic bottle which you can use to water indoor plants or store to use during the dry spell. Also, you use bottles to protect young plants from late frost by cutting away the bottom and placing it over your plant.
Composting household rubbish
Composting food scraps is an effective recycling method that is good for both your plants and the environment. You can reduce the amount of rubbish you throw away by turning it into nutritious compost for your growing plants.
Composting household rubbish also reduces the energy used in transporting garbage as well as reducing the landfill itself.