I am not the most creative when it comes to recycling crafts or ideas, but when it comes to gardening I reserve a closet in my house to store recyclables that will get used in the garden. If you are just starting with your gardening endeavor here are some items that may come in handy:
*old panty hose – these are needed to store onions. Drop an onion down the leg, tie a knot and repeat until full. Hang in a dark, cool, dry place.
*large cardboard boxes – these are needed to put at the bottom of new garden beds and also to lasagna mulch in the fall. I prefer large ones as the little ones tend to blow around on a windy day.
Cardboard in the bottom of the bed before adding soil.
*Dairy Containers – Poke a few holes in the bottom and 8 oz. yogurt containers a great for starting seedlings in.
*Gallon milk jugs – Cut off the bottom rinse thoroughly and use to plant seedlings in. Use the top (without the cap) to protect newly planted tomato seedlings from and unexpected frost or a harsh wind.
*2-liter bottles and take out food containers with a clear top for winter sowing. Check out this link to Get Busy Gardening for more info on winter sowing.
*3-ring binders – In February I use a binder and plastic sleeves to sort my seeds packets according to planting dates. This way I don’t waste time sorting through all my seed packets when it comes time to plant. I also put the empty packets back in the sleeves to assist with reordering in January.
Seeds in the Sleeves
*Finally, newspapers – Shred it and it is good for worm farm bedding, mulch around plants in the garden, and to use as a base for lasagna (aka sheet) mulching in the fall.
I am not a hoarder and despite my gardening I keep a neat and organized home. I do keep an eye on how much I have stored lest my closet overflow 
I love that seed binder idea! I’m trying that!! Thanks!
We also have a pile of ‘things’ waiting to be useful. This week we used old wire and wood to start a fence, we use old tyres for planting in – especially good for rhubarb, toilet tubes make great plant pots and plastic bottles are great for cloches. Thanks for some more tips!
Thanks for stopping by. I am also gathering wood to build some climbing fences for the garden
Great recycling ideas for items to use in the garden. Why throw them away (pop bottles or milk jugs), when they can save you a few bucks in the garden! Nice
Exactly spend too much money and you end up with the $64 tomato!
I can add another use for the panty hose. If you grow melons, slip a knee-high over them when they are small. The hose will stretch as they grow and helps keep pests, like pickle worms, from burrowing inside. I also use them to “hang” some of the fruits that we may have caged like cucumbers. Slip cukes in side hose then tie the hose to the fence or cage. Keeps pests off but also helps support the fruit while it’s growing.
Very cool I will have to try that this summer!
The seed binder idea is a great one! I tend to be a big goober when it comes to starting things from seed: I start them and don’t move them outdoors until they’re desperately potbound but maybe some day I’ll get it right!
I pinned your binder idea!
Thanks for the “Pin” I have been meaning to get onthere. You have given me the motivation to sign up!