Greener Gardening – How Recycling Can Help Your Garden
By Rachael – Content Editor
Published March 2022
What is Global Recycling Day?
Global recycling day was created by the Global Recycling Foundation created in 2018 and aims to help recognise the importance of recycling in preserving our planet. You can read all about it here.
Whether or not you are a keen eco-warrior, there are small changes we can all make to help our environment. We have come up with a list of helpful ideas for using recycling in your garden. Not only does this help reduce waste, but it’s also a great way to save some pennies!
Plant the seed
Instead of buying plastic seed trays this year, try using your recycling instead. Seeds simply need a small container and some good quality compost for the best start in life. Why not try using some of the following as seed pots this year?
Egg cartons & trays – these are also biodegradable!
Plastic meat trays / berry trays – common in supermarkets.
Egg Shells – if cracked neatly, simply wash them out.
Yoghurt pots – when washed out these are great for seeds that need more depth.
Did you know? We have special stations in our garden centres to recycle your plant pots. These are available for both donations and collections, ask a member of our team for more information.
Be a little potty
When the time comes to transplant your seedlings, you can use containers from around the house to help. Large plastic pots make excellent planters if you add some drainage holes. How about that plastic popcorn tub from your last movie night? Or the spacious container from your wild bird fat balls? Both make spacious homes for tomato plants.
Tins are also great as recycled plant pots. Tin cans, paint cans and coffee tins all make excellent homes for foliage – just give them a good clean and add some drainage holes (carefully!). Metal containers are great for an urban chic look, you can even paint them to make the space coordinated.
If you are looking to add a little personality to your patio, consider some eclectic plant pots. The next time you go to throw away crockery because of a hairline crack, think twice. Most ceramic kitchenware can be repurposed as a decorative plant pot.
If your dinnerware is relatively new but you want to get the look – pop down to your local charity shop!
You raise me up
If you happen to have some old, tired looking furniture that you are considering replacing – perhaps it could be your next planter? Sometimes old wooden furniture is just too damaged to be rehomed, but they can make excellent additions to your garden or patio.
Wooden shelving is fantastic for moving out to the shed and helps organise your gardening tools. Wooden drawers can be weatherproofed cheaply with varnish and arranged to make beautiful garden features.
Many people use old car tyres in their gardens to make fantastic floral displays. Take the time to be creative and see what you can come up with. The best part is, your creations will be completely unique to your home.
Rethink and re-use
Many objects we throw in our refuse or recycling bins could be really useful in our gardens. Keep an eye out for the following items over the next few weeks and see if you can put them to use:
Plastic fizzy bottles – when cut in half, these make brilliant cloches to protect seedlings
Junk mail envelopes – a great place to dry out plant seeds
Dryer sheets – pop these in the bottom of plant pots to prevent slugs from creeping inside
Tights and hoisery – make excellent hammocks to support heavy hanging fruit
Plastic milk bottle – add lots of tiny holes into the lid for a make-shift watering can
Old fabrics / clothes – tear up little strips to use as ties for your garden cans and support trellis
We like big butts
Recycling rainwater not only gives your plants a cleaner drink, but it can save heaps on your water bill. Water butts are brilliant for placing near drainpipes and collecting water that would otherwise find its way down the drain. Then on sunny days you can use your water reserve for the plants and avoid reaching for the hose.
If you happen to use a paddling pool in your garden, rather than draining it onto the grass when you are finished – transfer the contents over to your water butt. As long as you have not added any chemicals, you can recycle the old water every time it needs to be changed.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure
Turn your kitchen waste and garden waste into something useful. Creating your own compost is actually a really easy task, it just takes time. Invest in a composter for your garden or courtyard and create your own nutritious soil for future plants.
If you are interested in making your own compost but you are not sure of the dos and don’ts, we recommend reading the RHS guide for composting here.
There are plenty of ways to harness the power of recycling in your garden. The next time you go to throw away something plastic, have a think if it could be useful for another purpose first. You never know, you might save a small fortune!
Visit us in-store for more great ideas and see how we Value Our Planet.
We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. You can allow all or manage them individually.
We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. You can allow all or manage them individually.
