Empty milk containers are pretty handy to have around the garden. There are dozens of uses that I've found for any size jug or carton. Here's a few:
- Mixing fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Gallon jugs are especially useful here when the instructions typically call for mixing with a gallon of water.
- Plant irrigation. Punch two small holes in the bottom of the container, fill it with water or diluted fertilizer and set it next to your plant. Leave the top on loosely to create a vacuum which will slowly leak into the ground.
- Plant pots. Cut off the top and poke some drainage holes in the bottom and you have a free pot great for starting seeds and transplants. I like the half-gallon cartons for establishing flowers dug from the garden. I cut off about 1/3 of the top to create a deep pot great for root growth. Turn the carton on it's side for a seed starter for onions and lettuce.
- Funnels. With the cap off, the top portion of containers cut for plant pots can be used as a funnel for pouring soil, seeds or fertilizers. It's even handy to help water plants so you get the water at their roots and not on the leaves. Gallon and half-gallon jugs come with a built-in handle!
- Scoops. Keep the cap on to use as a scoop for dirt, fertilizer, lime or water.
- Plant shield. Cut the bottom off the container and place over seedlings to protect from frost at night. Place over weeds, take the cap off and spray with herbicide through the top to protect nearby plants especially on windy days.
Do you have a re-use for empty milk containers that we haven't mentioned here, let us know in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment