Every organic gardener places their faith in recycling. But for some (and you know who you are), recycling and reusing become a religion. Sondra Francoeur of Independence, Kansas, is one of you. She offered to share her "Ten Uses for Milk Jugs Around the Garden (not including the ever-with-us cloche)."

1. Cut the sides lengthwise into long triangles and mark with a waterproof pen for plant markers.

2. For more detail, cut a double-length rectangle as wide as a seed packet. Fold this over a seed packet for protection and staple to a triangle from above to use as a marker.

3. Fill jugs with water and place these around plants in a ring or square. Slip a bag over these at night to radiate heat. When the need for cold protection passes, use the warmed water to give your plants a drink.

4. To make these jugs of water do dual duty, put a small amount of liquid fish fertilizer or compost in each one. When you are ready to use them to water, you will have some ready-made plant food or compost tea.

5. You can also use water-filled jugs to secure plastic, netting or fabric over beds.

6. Cut a hole out of the corner opposite of the handle to use for a harvest basket. Holes punched in the bottom will allow water to drain so you can use also this as a basket to wash the produce.

7. Make a cut the three-quarters of the way around about an inch up from the bottom. Use a small nail to melt 5 inch holes in the lid. Slightly bury and invert this beside a plant for its own personal drip irrigator.

8. A larger hole melted into the lid allows you to use the jug to sprinkle soil amendments evenly and precisely.

9. Cut the bottoms entirely off about 2" up to use for toad and bird watering holes.

10. Cut a strip out of the side opposite the handle. Fill with birdseed to attract birds to your organic garden.

What about poking a pinhole or 2 in the bottom, and burying it 3/4 deep. Fill with water. Waters deep and seeps out slowly. Haven't tried this, saw it in "Lasagne Gardening"

Also, cut of bottom almost whole way around, leaving flap. Use as a cloche to protect tiny transplants. Use flap to help secure to soil.

Ken

I am using mine as minigreenhouses this winter.

I cut off the tops as funnels.

I remember walking to school as a kid and now and then, someone's yard would have some gallon plastic containers with water in them, sitting here or there in the yard. My whole life I have wondered what the heck they were for! I saw no garden, they weren't holding anything down, they had no holes in them that I could see. I wonder what novel use of them was going on I didn't know about.

I'm definitely doing the garden stake thing. What is a "cloche"?

PJ

Fondly, Jude
in HOT , HUMID and VERY windy South Jersey

Margaret

I tried to cut strips out of a milk jug to use for plant markers. They just seemed too flemsy for the job. I now use window blinds to make plant markers. All the same nice width and all you have to do is cut to length. Sharp point on side and flat on the other. Pencil lasts longer than permanent marker. Erase or throw away.

My dog eats blinds when left alone during a thunderstorm, so I have plenty to make markers from. I have no idea where he wants to go, if he gets outside, he will be in the middle of the storm.

lots of floating milk jugs can get you a free beer or two! make excellent floating debree that other boaters think are fish hole/reef markers, you can share your hot spot ;)

Al

Al

Al

Cut the top off, thread a belt or rope through the handle & attach to your stomach. You can then use it for the clothes pins while hanging clothes out on the line (guess where I was when I thought of this. lol!).

I have these 1 gallon glass jugs. They come filled with apple juice. The glass is thick and it looks like some old moonshine style jug.

Any garden uses? The recycling bin works, but they seem to good to toss.

Nick

Supposed to be good for brushing dog and cat hair!!!

The Magic Milk Jug
For sheer versatility in the garden, nothing comes close to the humble plastic milk jug. Save both half-gallon and gallon sizes to create these garden helpers.

1.Seed flats. Starting your own seeds is the easiest way to cut your gardening costs to the bone. And it's the only way to get many of the newest varieties. To save space and bother, start seeds in shallow trays filled with potting soil, then transplant the strongest seedlings to pots later on. To make free seed flats, cut off the bottom three inches of a gallon milk jug and punch a few holes in the bottom with a nail. Fill with potting mix, and use a pencil to create two or three shallow furrows for sowing. Then plant your seeds according to the packet directions.
2.Mini greenhouse. In northern zones, young transplants and seedlings are easy prey for spring and fall frosts. Protect them with their own personal greenhouse. Just cut the bottom off a gallon milk jug and, when a cold snap is in the forecast, place the jug over the plant. You can regulate the temperature somewhat by putting the cap on or taking it off. Just be sure to remove the cover on warm, sunny days to prevent turning your greenhouse into a sauna.

3.Flexible scoop. This simple scoop is fashioned from a half-gallon plastic milk jug. It's great for distributing fertilizer granules or potting soil in tight spaces. To craft it, make two horizontal cuts on the sides adjacent to the handle, and two forward-slanting diagonal cuts in the other sides.
4.Liquid fertilizer distribution system. Okay, the name might be a bit of a stretch, but this idea is a winner. Use plastic milk jugs to mix up liquid fertilizer, then punch a hole or two in the cap with a nail. Use your "system" to deliver a dose of plant food to even the smallest pots or plants.
5.Protection plus. If you use a cold frame to extend your growing season, line the inside with plastic milk jugs filled with water. The water be warmed by the sun, and will help reduce temperature swings inside the cold frame. The result: a lower chance of frost damage at night and overheating during the day.