By HGTV
To a large degree gardeners have led the way in the recycling movement. After all, there's no better example of recycling than a compost pile, where yard and kitchen wastes are transformed into one of the most incredible and useful products on the planet. Composting kitchen scraps, leaves, and grass clippings is only one way of getting involved.
Put that newspaper to work in the compost pile. Nearly all the black-and-white sections of newspaper today are printed using soy-based inks, so the threat of heavy-metal contamination no longer exists. Paper is organic and breaks down readily when composted. Shred it first, then work it into the pile, and keep the pile moist. Use newspaper as a weed barrier. Lay several sheets down on your garden paths, and apply a thick layer of mulch on top. The newspaper will prevent weeds from sprouting and will slowly break down to add organic matter to the soil.
Cut-up cardboard boxes and old carpet remnants also work well as weed barriers. Even the nastiest weeds in the world--nutgrass, bindweed, and thistle--can't grow through carpet.
Old bedsheets and blankets come in handy in the garden too. When frost threatens vegetables, just lay a sheet over them to buy a few degrees of protection. For more protection, drive a few stakes in the ground to support the weight of the blanket, and lay the blanket over the bed. Sheets and blankets also serve as tarps, and they make hauling leaves or dirt pretty easy.
Old panty hose also have several uses in the garden. For instance, a small piece tied over the inlet tube of your sprayer will prevent clogging better than the screen provided by the manufacturer. The legs can be stretched over vegetables to protect them from insect invasion and can also be used to support melons growing on trellises. You can even use them to store and cure onions, garlic, and shallots, which should be hung in a dry, shady spot with good air circulation for a couple of weeks before going indoors.
Old hoses are also ideal for protecting the bark of trees that need staking. Cut a small section of hose, run a wire through it, and place the hose on the tree so the wire won't cut the bark. Use hoses to define the borders of a new garden, especially those with extreme curves. All you do is lay out the hose the way you want it, and start digging your border.
Plastic products can be reused in the garden. Small margarine tubs, for example, make dandy supports for melons which, if left on the ground, may rot before they ripen. Cut off the bottom of your plastic milk and soda bottles and you've got an instant cloche or hot-cap for protecting plants from freezing temperatures.
Containers of all kinds, whether plastic or paper, make excellent seed-starting flats. For example, you can start your own 12-pack with an egg carton, or a tomato in this milk carton. Rinse the containers thoroughly before you use them to get rid of any bacteria or fungal spores.
Grocery store plastic bags can be used hundreds of times for hauling produce from the garden to the kitchen. Coffee cans can be used to safely store chemicals, fertilizers and gardening gadgets like these hose connectors. Provided you punch a few holes in the bottom for drainage, they make good containers for young seedlings, too, especially trees.
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