Education:
When I started gardening, I had two gardening tools. It seemed sufficient for what I needed. I had a hand shovel, and a pair of secateurs (generally known as pruners.)
These were sufficient for the job. I didn't really think about acquiring more tools but as the garden grew I found the need for more tools. Initially, it wasn't more variety of tools, it was additional versions of what I already had so I ended up with multiple hand shovels and multiple pruners. Most were gifted to me.
More plants meant more pruners and hand shovels needed.
Application:
Over time, I realized that many of the tools/items I needed in the garden were in my kitchen. Here is a list:
💡Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Strainer: I used this for two functions. When I pick berries, lettuce etc. I can do my initial rinse right outside. Also, I dust my plants with Diatomaceous Earth using the strainer. So handy!
💡Funnels: So often I'm pouring and straining fertilizers or other mixtures into bottles. I had to buy another set of kitchen funnels because my originals because gardening tools.
💡Cheese grater: I learned that Irish Spring soap helps keep critters at bay so occasionally I will grate a bit around my plants that are in the garden beds.
💡Old Kitchen Knives and Kitchen shears: Sometimes a good big ol' knife from your kitchen drawers it exactly what's needed to whack off heavier stems, and kitchen shears for smaller ones.
💡Empty Gallon Milk Jugs: I learned about this early because my South-facing garden gets so hot! When I started my pear trees which are in grow bags, they needed a lot of moisture. A gallon size milk jug with a few small pin holes allows water to drip slowly all day.
You can also use the jug as a watering can if you put small holes in the cap. So handy. You can wave a fork's tins over heat and push a few through the caps.
💡Serving Bowls: I have three water fountains in my garden that are all made with 'former' serving bowls.
💡Meat Thermometer: In the Spring, I like to make sure the soil temperature in my bags is warm enough for the seeds to germinate. This tool worked perfectly.
💡Plastic Disposable Food Containers with lids: These are perfect for germinating seeds... especially if it has a tall dome lid.
💡Paper Egg Cartons: Again, perfect for germinating seeds; you can place the entire egg section into the ground. I don't do this anymore but I do tear up the cartons and put them into my compost bin for brown matter.
💡Kitchen Spices:
Cinnamon - I sprinkle this on newly seeded plants to keep fungus gnats at bay in the house.
HOT! Cayenne Pepper - 🌶️ As cute as little bunnies are, if they come near my flowers and plants, all I can say is HOT going in and HOT going out for them.🌶️🐰🌶️ It works. So annoying!
Selection:
So these are mainly what I use currently but there are other great ideas out there. Check out this link for more great ideas. The baking sheet idea is fabulous! I tried it using a tin pie pan. Worked GREAT!
13 Everyday Kitchen Tools that Double as Garden Gear
The idea with the CDs is good in this article. I tried it and it worked but my garden was looking a bit too much like Sanford & Sons Junkyard for my taste. So it was short-lived.
10 Household Items That Make Better Garden Tools Than Store-Bought Ones.
