Recycling in the Garden

If you find yourself in the mood to become less wasteful around the home, as well as around the garden, then try to do some recycling in the garden. Surprisingly, the garden is one of the easiest places to do some basic recycling. This is, in large part, due to the fact that literally almost everything can be used in the garden. All it really takes is a little bit of imagination, and a willingness to think outside of the box. Most items that you use in the house can actually continue to be used in the garden, even if you don't see an immediate use for it. Here are some basic ideas that you can use to begin recycling in the garden.

• Composting. Perhaps the single most popular form of garden recycling is composting. Composting is a great way to provide a nutritional boost to the various plants in your garden. Instead of throwing away such "garbage" as old fruit, coffee grounds, vegetable mater, garden clippings, and so on, you can collect these scraps into one central location. Over time, these items will decompose and eventually become a "dirt" that is extremely nutrient rich. Simply add a little bit of this "dirt" to your garden at planting time to help encourage better growth for your plants.
• Watering. Another great method for recycling in the garden is to do a little creative "watering." Collect your gray water (which is water that has already been used in some way) and use it to water your plants with the help of a watering can. Create a drip hose by adding a few additional holes to an already leaky or faulty garden hose. Use a rain barrel to help collect rain water and augment your watering, and lower your dependency on the water company. If you use a rain barrel, you can also add your gray water to what is collected in the barrel.
• Containers. Just about everything can become some kind of a planter or a container. Use an old two liter soda bottle as a simple terrarium. Hold onto old teapots, wheel barrows, and other items for use as garden containers or even gardening beds.
• Plant Starters. Don't waste your money on purchasing fancy starter homes for your plants, instead use things like old egg cartons, milk bottles, soda bottles, and so on. Frankly, just about anything can be used for window gardening and starter plants if you are willing to use your imagination.