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| I use old mini blinds for plant/garden labels. I use a metal cutting tool to cut them into short pieces. You can erase and reuse them from year to year. I recycle the blue styrofoam tubs that mushrooms come in to start seedlings or cuttings. I use an old knife to cut slashes in the bottom of them for drainage. I use anything that looks like it would work for a saucer from my plastic tossables. Yogurt and margarine/butter containers work well for seedlings. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by purpleinopp 8b AL (My Page) on Fri, Jun 15, 12 at 11:30
| Great ideas! Was surprised to find that regular scissors cut metal mini blind slats like butter. What do you use to write on them? I used a sharpie then went over it with fingernail polish although I had to do it quick because it makes the marker writing "melt." It's working well but I'd like to find a different combo, some of these ended up very smeary, only I can read them. I like to recycle Coleus and Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) in recycled beer or soda bottles, too. Threads on it here and here, if anyone's interested. Many other annuals that are actually tender perennials can be overwintered and enjoyed again the next year. I never throw away the pots store-bought plants come in, no matter how ugly. Since I propagate and give away a lot of plants, I need a lot of pots. Composting is the best garden recycling I know of. My honey brings a lot of pieces of scrap wood home from work that would have went in the dumpster. He made a bat house, a dog house, using some as borders in back yard until something better looking comes along. I've used a couple pieces to "mount" and hang various artwork. A tree in the front yard died and we used the trunk to border a bed. Wire coat hangers can be used to get hanging plants lower, or unwound and re-bent into U-shape stakes, or used to guide a vine. If you have trouble with plants drying out, you can use a milk jug or 2-liter bottle to slow-water it. Cut off the top so it's easier to pour into, put a small hole in the bottom. The slow drips of water coming out will soak in deeply where the plant is, not run off to other areas. A rock inside can keep it from blowing around when empty. Another version is to put a few holes along one side and bottom and mostly bury a good portion of the jug (next to it) when planting a new baby tree or shrub, maybe tomato plant. Once established, just pull it and fill the hole with dirt, or in the case of tomato, leave it for next year. |
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- Posted by carol_in_california z9-10/CA (My Page) on Sun, Jun 24, 12 at 22:56
| Thanks for the tip about using a milk jug or big bottle for a drip system! After the season is over in our area, I throw old tomatoes and other spent vegetables in the garden spot. I love seeing what comes up the next season. We live in an area with a prolonged growing season so it works well. |
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- Posted by carol_in_california z9-10/CA (My Page) on Sun, Jun 24, 12 at 22:56
| Thanks for the tip about using a milk jug or big bottle for a drip system! After the season is over in our area, I throw old tomatoes and other spent vegetables in the garden spot. I love seeing what comes up the next season. We live in an area with a prolonged growing season so it works well. |
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