Common recyclable materials for gardening
When it comes to the end of a long busy week, you might realise just how much food waste, water, and general plastic waste you and your family go through in a few chaotic days. By recycling bin day next week, all these items will be picked up and whisked away to the dump. But you have yet to realise their untapped potential! By recycling these common household recycled materials, you could be nourishing your garden with weekly leftovers and food waste for free. We're going to share what recycle items you can reuse to make your garden the belle of the ball.
Coffee grounds as pest control
Brisbane has a thriving insect environment which will inevitably take a toll on the plants growing in your garden and lawn. If you’ve noticed bites taken out of your plants or ant hills on your lawn, you would understand the struggle of keeping these pesky insects from plaguing your garden. A simple and effective way to deter insects is waiting to be discovered in your morning cup of coffee. Recycling your household’s coffee ground waste can be useful as organic matter to your garden. Snails and slugs are sensitive to the caffeine found in coffee grounds - by sprinkling them through your garden you can put an end to their feasting habits. Ants hate walking over them, so pouring a ring of coffee grounds around ant hills on your lawn will discourage their presence. And, if you’re inclined against feline visitors, you can use coffee grounds to humanely prevent cats from using your garden or lawn as a litterbox. Cats are repulsed by the strong scent, so spreading grounds through your garden will keep them away.
Eggshells for soil nourishment
Continuing the use of breakfast consumables, we recommend reusing household rubbish like eggshells. If you commonly eat eggs for breakfast, leftover eggshells can be used to nourish and feed your garden. Eggshells are high in calcium properties, as well as beneficial minerals and vitamins. They can be used on both your lawn and your garden to help them thrive. Many expect results by simply breaking up eggshells and placing them in the kerbside recycling bin or on garden soil. Eggshells can be used this way, but there will be a slower process before you see any changes. The shells will need to start the decaying process before they truly prove useful. You can either give them time to break down in a compost bin or your recycling bin, or you can ground them up and bury them in your soil to provide nutrients. This method works best for garden beds.
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Reusing greywater
Plants, I assure you, are not picky. They won't mind drinking up your household's recycled water. Brisbane often sees blistering summers which will do a number on your garden and lawn. If you wash your vegetables or rice before making a meal, use a bucket or container so you can keep the leftover water for your garden. Utilising recycling services to avoid harsh detergents or soaps, you can also reuse washing-up water, especially if you rinse your dishes to put them in a dishwasher. Your garden and lawn will thank you, and the money you use on water bills will be well spent.
Repurposing plastic waste
If you use single-use plastic bottles and plastic bags throughout the week, you could DIY some creative ways to make useful tools out of this apparent household waste. Drilling holes in the lids of plastic bottles and filling them with water to create a handy drip irrigation system will keep your plants growing and happy. You can also recycle old milk bottles by cutting them up into garden scoops; just be mindful of any sharp edges. If your newly planted seeds need some care while they grow, you can put plastic bottles around their growth site for seedling protection. Any small plastic strips or wooden ice cream sticks can even be used as garden labels—plastic containers can also be recycled and used as quirky feature pots themselves. There are endless opportunities to use your household's recycled materials in your garden.
We’re here to help
If you are looking for simple solutions to landscaping or garden issues, our experienced team at TLC Property Maintenance is eager to lend a green thumb. Our 18-year history of garden maintenance makes us the experts in keeping your garden happy and thriving without hurting your wallet. We want to see the same outstanding results you do and are always eager to offer our advice and services. Contact us at (07) 3184 4064 to learn more about our maintenance expertise today.
