Tag Archives: garden

20 Creative Ways to Repurpose Old Items: Get Crafty and Reduce Waste!

Posted on by
Reply

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, repurposing old items is a fantastic way to reduce waste while showcasing your creativity. Instead of tossing those items destined for the landfill, consider giving them a new life!

Here are 20 genius ideas to inspire your next upcycling project.

1. Mason Jar Organizers

Transform old mason jars into stylish storage for pens, brushes, or kitchen utensils. Add a coat of paint or twine for a personalized touch.

2. T-Shirt Tote Bags

Turn those old, soft t-shirts into eco-friendly tote bags. Simply cut and tie portions to create a functional and fashionable alternative to plastic bags.

3. Wine Bottle Candle Holders

Repurpose wine bottles by filling them with sand and inserting candles for an elegant look. Perfect for outdoor gatherings!

4. Old Ladder Bookshelf

Give a rustic touch to your home by converting an old wooden ladder into a chic bookshelf. Use the steps for displaying books or plants.

5. CD Coasters

Turn outdated CDs into trendy coasters by applying decorative paper or fabric to one side. They’re functional, colorful, and a great conversation starter!

6. Glass Jar Light Fixtures

Transform glass jars into unique light fixtures. Simply add a bulb and hang them up for an industrial yet warm ambiance.

7. Pallet Garden Planters

Old pallets can be transformed into vertical gardens for herbs or flowers. A great way to save space while sprucing up your outdoor area!

8. Old Suitcase Pet Bed

Repurpose a vintage suitcase into a cozy bed for your furry friend, adding cushion and style to any corner of your home.

9. Puzzle Piece Keychains

Use old, missing puzzle pieces to create whimsical keychains. Just add a keyring, and voila! A perfect gift for puzzle enthusiasts.

10. Jarred Herb Gardens

Create a mini herb garden by planting in small jars. Ideal for kitchen windowsills, these little green spaces brighten up any area.

11. Shutter Picture Frames

Old window shutters can be repainted and turned into a rustic photo display. Attach photos with clothespins for an easy switch-up.

12. Old Jeans Planters

Repurpose worn-out jeans into hanging planters. Fill the legs with soil and flowers, adding charm to your garden or porch.

13. Spoon Garden Markers

Bend old spoons into decorative plant markers! Use a permanent marker to label and add a unique flair to your garden.

14. Tin Can Lanterns

Breathe new life into tin cans by punching holes in them and adding tea lights. Hang them for a stunning outdoor atmosphere.

15. Bottle Cap Magnets

Transform bottle caps into colorful fridge magnets. Just add a small magnet on the backside and showcase your favorite beverages!

16. Fabric Scraps Quilt

Create a beautiful quilt from leftover fabric scraps. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also gives you a cozy, personalized blanket.

17. Old Books as Decor

Stack old books to create decorative displays. You can even hollow out one to create a secret storage space!

18. Keyboard Key Jewelry

Make unique necklaces or bracelets from old keyboard keys. A fun project that’s perfect for tech lovers!

19. Paper Towel Holder as Ribbon Dispenser

Turn a paper towel holder into a charming ribbon dispenser for craft supplies, keeping everything neat and accessible.

20. Wine Cork Bulletin Board

Collect wine corks and glue them together in a frame for a stylish bulletin board. Perfect for notes, photos, or reminders!

Repurposing old items not only helps reduce waste but also allows you to express your creativity. So gather those forgotten treasures and turn them into something beautiful and functional!

Happy crafting!

4 Tips to Make Better Compost

Posted on by
Reply

 

 

Composting is one of the best ways to recycle food waste and scraps into fertilizer that your plants will love. In fact, most gardeners are always looking for good compost to help their plants flourish and thrive. There are people who make good money selling compost to commercial farms and gardening enthusiasts.

Whether you’re a hobbyist or someone serious about gardening, the ability to make your own compost will be very helpful. This article will assume that you have the basics of composting down and it will give you a few tips to improve the quality of your compost.

Now let’s look at what they are.

 

  • Location Matters

The composting process takes time and one of the major factors that decides if your compost will turn out well is the location the compost bin or heap is in. Ideally, the heap or bin should have good drainage and must be on level ground. Avoid placing the compost heap in places where it’s exposed to weather fluctuations.

If your compost pile is exposed to cold weather or chilly conditions, the decomposing process will slow down. If you know you’re going to be getting cold weather, you may wish to either insulate your compost bin or move it indoors into the shed or somewhere where it’s not exposed to the elements. This will ensure that the process moves smoothly without delays.

 

  • Oxygenate the Compost

For the compost to break down well, the bacteria and organisms that are involved in the process need oxygen to survive. So, it’s ideal that you turn out the compost pile to get air into it so that the microorganisms can survive.

You should be able to see that the material on the edges of the heap are dry while the center is relatively damp. Move the edges to the center and mix them up a little. Try and get air into the compost heap by preventing tight clumps from forming.

The more you rake and aerate your compost heap, the faster the pile will turn into rich, beneficial fertilizer.

 

  • Watch What Goes In

Not all food scraps and leftovers should be composted. Many people get this wrong and expect that since most foods are biodegradable, they’re suitable for composting. This is a common misconception.

You need to use the right waste. Dairy and meat products are a no-no. Weeds, waste from pets and oily food leftovers are NOT to be used either. All these will create foul smells and attract pests.

There should be mostly plant waste and even with the plant waste, there should be a mix of greens and browns. You may wish to add rolled up cardboard balls into the mix to create air pockets. The cardboard is a good type of brown waste.

If your compost heap is too wet, add more brown waste like dried leaves, twigs, etc. If it’s too dry, add more green waste like grass cutting, vegetable scraps, etc.

 

  • Monitor the pH Levels

The composting bacteria work best when the pH level of the compost is between 5.5 and 8. If you’re using worms in your compost, they survive well in this range too. So, you may wish to get a soil test kit to monitor the pH level of the compost. Do note that the readings will vary when you test different portions of the compost. Test about 5 bunches of compost and calculate an average.

Keep an eye on these 4 factors when composting and you will have much better compost. There are also many other tips such as using worms, shredding the brown waste, checking the moisture level of the compost and much more.

You’d do well to research more on this topic so that you know how to get the best out of your composting efforts. You only need to learn it once and after you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll easily be able to turn your spoil into soil and make your plants very happy.

 

7 Exercises to Prep for Garden Work

Posted on by
Reply

You love gardening. You just love getting out there, getting your hands dirty, interacting with your plants and Mother Nature. But gardening can be rather physical. Especially for older gardeners, a couple of hours in the plant beds can lead to an entire day resting and recuperating from back, muscle and joint aches and pains. Unfortunately, when you’re recovering, the best you can do is stare out of your window at your beautiful garden that you wish you were in.

Professional athletes work out in the preseason and all week long before a big game. Then they prepare themselves for that game by loosening up and exercising right up until kickoff, tip-off or the opening pitch. Why don’t you do the same thing? Start performing the following 7 exercises to prepare your body for gardening, and you can once again get the most out of your favorite outdoor activity.

1 – Jog for 5 minutes or briskly walk for 10 right before you are going to tackle any garden work. This gets your heart pumping, and your joints and muscles loose and warmed up for the physical workout your plants and flowers are about to give you.

2 – Squat in advance. So many gardening activities have you squatting down. A few times a week, bend your knees and lower your body, keeping your back straight and your weight on your heels. Perform 2 or 3 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions. You should also do this immediately before you hit the garden.

3 – Perform bicep curls. If you do not own any dumbbells, use a gallon jug of water or a full paint bucket. Perform 2 or 3 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions. This can be done during the week, and as an immediate preparation for garden work.

4 – Exercise for 20 to 30 minutes at least 3 times a week. This builds up your cardiovascular ability, which leads to better endurance when mowing the lawn or pulling weeds.

5 – Stretch out your quads. In a stable standing position, raise your left foot behind you, and grab it with your left hand. Place your right hand against a wall or other type of support if you need to. Pull slightly on your foot and hold for 10 seconds. Change legs, performing 4 to 6 repetitions each side.

6 – Perform a counter push. Stand 12 to 18 inches in front of your kitchen or bathroom counter. Place your hands firmly on the counter edge, wider than shoulder width apart. Lean forward slowly, while supporting your weight with your arms and chest. Push back. Perform 10 to 12 repetitions.

7 – Stretch your hamstrings. Lay on your back, lifting each knee individually and hugging it to your chest. Hold for 10 or 12 seconds. Repeat with your opposite knee, 8 to 12 repetitions with each leg. This stretches your hamstrings, and should be done before any gardening activities.

The Turnaround Day

Posted on by
1

The beauty of the roses was so evident from their display in the store, their petals lax and flexible; stems curving as if they were begging for a touch, that I could not resist the temptation to buy them. As if cradling a baby, I carried the pot to my old Volkswagen car. From my collection of winter Jackets and scarves that spread disorderly in the bonnet, I made a blanket for the pot and carefully placed it on it. This I made to take care of the pot in case it fell. I then drove home to find the best spot for my roses.

I had been in the house for only a week and had not done much as far as the renovation of the garden is concerned. I had spent most of my savings on painting the walls, fixing the broken windows and replacing the locks of all the doors. These had left me so broke that employing a casual worker to do the flower garden would have made me go without food for some days since it was a week away from month end. Therefore, I had to do the gardening myself.

The garden had a lot of overgrown grass that made it look like the savanna grassland. To me, it appeared as if the yard had not been touched for more than a year. I was faced with weedy flower beds and bushy side plants that were sprouting to clear. This made the lawn appear unattractive and with no sign of life.

I found a perfect spot at the back of the house, where I could be seeing the roses from my bedroom and the kitchen and started the digging exercise. The exercise was so slow and annoying since the only tool I had was a shovel. Kneeling, I attacked the ground with the spade. I expected the task of shove-lifting the roots to be an easy one. But instead, the shovel was stopped by the roots, and I had to lean my whole weight on the handle so that I could push the shovel below the roots. Wedging the shovel beneath, I started pulling up, spewing dirt around the shovel like lava from an active volcano. This effort made my arm ache with pain and the shovel squeak. Finally, the shovel came up.

But the roots of the plants stood firm on the ground, although a little tilted. What is it that made the shoveling so hard? I wondered. Brushing away the clumps of dirt from the shovel as I felt it with my fingertips, I made a rough inspection of the content. I transferred a hard as rock content from the shovel and placed it on my arm. My arm sank from the weight. Wiping it clean made me suspect its preciousness from its yellowish, shiny color. I bit it with my teeth and confirmed my suspicion.
It was gold.