Remember when we were in school and our teachers would tell us to look into something green, plants preferably, if we want to rest our eyes for a while? Since then, we have often associated the color to nature, relaxation, and calmness.
Maybe this is also the reason why most of us have turned into ‘plantitos’ and ‘plantitas’ during the quarantine. Apart from avoiding eye strain, having plants around has also been therapeutic for some; helping them improve their mood and stress levels.
As they say, taking care of your plants is also a form of self-care. And whether you’re already a pro or you have yet to discover your green thumb, some tips will always come in handy.
Here are 6 gardening hacks that you can share among your plantito and plantita friends:
Recycle coffee cups as watering cans
Coffee cups with lids are perfect because these prevent you from overwatering your plants, especially the indoor ones. If you’re the type who enjoys drive-thru coffee, don’t throw the cups away. Make sure to clean the cups properly before reusing them for your plants.
Scatter crushed eggshells on the soil
Don’t throw those eggshells yet! You can use them to protect your plants from pests. Putting crushed eggshells can also add calcium to the soil, which is important to balance the soil’s pH level.
Sponge as plant duster
Not only to make the plants look fresh and shiny, but dusting the leaves can also help in the process of photosynthesis. If you have a spare sponge at home, or just cut off a part of the sponge you use for the dishes, pour a small amount of water, and use it to brush the leaves. Just make sure to label the sponge as your plant duster to avoid confusion in the household.
Pour vegetable and egg water on the soil
You’ll be surprised to know the water you use to boil or steam your vegetables and eggs is actually a good fertilizer for the plants. So, next time, don’t throw the water down the drain and pour it in your plants instead.
Broken pots as plant markers
Either you accidentally broke the pots, or your pets did, you can still reuse them to label your plants. Use a permanent marker to write the name on a broken piece and bury it half into the soil. This would be helpful especially if you already have a variety of plants in your garden. Oh and you can also be creative with the design you want!
Chopsticks for support
You’ll notice some of your plants struggling as they grow, their stems leaning or bending low. Don’t panic because you can still revive them. Find your spare chopsticks at home for support. You can use a paper string to knot the chopstick and your plant together. You’ll surely see improvements in due time.
Happy gardening everyone!
