Old plant pots often end up as waste, but they can be repurposed in creative and practical ways. Here are six ingenious ideas to give your old plant pots a second life in the garden.
1. Create a Watering Halo for Tomato Plants
Tomato plants need plenty of water, but they can be tricky to water effectively. If you water them too much, the soil becomes compacted, leading to poor water absorption. You can solve this by making your own “water reservoir halos.”
To create a watering halo, take an old plastic pot and cut off the bottom with scissors or a knife. Place the pot halfway into the soil around your tomato plant. When you water the plant, the walls of the pot will contain the water, allowing it to gradually soak into the soil, ensuring your tomato plant gets a consistent supply of moisture.
For added benefits, you can fill the halo with potting soil or compost, which will encourage roots to grow along the buried part of the stem. This not only provides more support for the plant but also helps it access additional nutrients.
This technique works well for other thirsty plants too, like peppers or squash. For squash, simply bury the pot in the ground near the plant and fill it with water. The water will seep into the soil, directly nourishing the roots.
2. Use Pots as Planting Guides
When transplanting plants into larger containers, an empty pot can serve as a great planting guide. Place a pot of the same size as the original one into the new container and fill around it with soil. Once the soil is settled, remove the pot to leave a hole for your plant. This method helps ensure that your new plant is placed exactly where you want it, making the transplanting process more precise.
3. Build a Bug Hotel
Encourage beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs to stick around by creating a bug hotel using an old plant pot. Fill the pot with bamboo canes, hollow stems, twigs, or even strips of corrugated cardboard. Place the pot on its side in a sheltered area, or hang it from a branch with a hook. The insects will find a cozy spot to shelter and thrive, boosting pollination and pest control in your garden.
4. Make a Twine Dispenser
Garden twine is essential, but it can be a hassle to untangle. Transform an old plant pot into a simple, effective twine dispenser. Place the spool of twine inside the pot, feeding the end of the twine through one of the drainage holes. Seal the top of the pot with duct tape to prevent the spool from falling out. Now you can easily pull the twine from the pot as needed, keeping everything neat and accessible.
5. Get Crafty and Decorate Pots
Old pots can also be turned into decorative pieces for your garden or home. Start by cleaning the pots thoroughly, then let them dry. You can decorate them using non-toxic paints, fabric, rope, or even mosaic pieces. Get creative and personalize your pots to match your style or garden theme. This is an excellent way to upcycle and create unique pieces for your outdoor space.
6. Use Pots as Harvesting Trugs
Large plant pots can be used as convenient harvesting containers. When you pick your vegetables, place them in a pot with drainage holes at the base. A quick rinse under water will clean your produce, making it ready to go into the kitchen. This method makes harvesting easy and ensures your vegetables are free of dirt without making a mess.
Plant pots don’t have to be discarded after their initial use. With these creative ideas, you can repurpose them for various tasks around the garden, helping the environment and saving money. If you have more ideas for reusing plant pots, feel free to share them in the comments!