Gardening cheaply in 2026: Why you should never throw away eggshells and old plastic bottles
Fixed and brilliant! We have inexpensive tips for the garden that can be implemented in no time and will make your gardening easier.
Sometimes things just need to be done quickly in the garden. We have some ideas that are brilliant and that you can implement in no time. Plus, these are basically free. So it’s best to try it out!
Simple & inexpensive tips for the garden in 2026
Do you have a hard time throwing things away or do you love small DIY projects? Perfect, then we have brought you some great tips for the garden that will help you save money and discover your creative side.
#1 Empty bottle as a spacer in the bed
Maintaining the right distance between the plants in the bed is important so that they can thrive. And they definitely need space to develop.
Simply cut a plastic bottle in half and place the upper part in the bed with the bottle neck facing up and without the lid. Then throw in the seeds through the opening and simply move the bottle forward. On the ground you can see where you last placed the seeds.
#2 Plant tomatoes in eggshells
Do you want to plant tomatoes? No problem! How about growing them in an eggshell first. Fill this with soil and then place the seeds on top. If you want to plant the tomatoes in the bed later, you can simply do so directly in the eggshell, which acts as a natural fertilizer. Smart and cheap!
#3 Empty bottle as an irrigation system
Empty plastic bottles are real all-rounders in the garden. This garden hack involves a quick-build irrigation system that ensures your plants get a good dose of water. Simply poke a few holes in the lid and cut off the bottom. Then stick it into the ground with the lid first and use it as a kind of funnel.
#4 Plant signs made from old plastic
Whether plastic cups or plastic lids – these accumulate in every household and can easily be converted into plant signs. Rinse well and shape into the desired shape with scissors. Then write on it with a waterproof Sharpie marker. The sign is ready, which you can now use to label vegetable seeds or herbs in your balcony box.
#5 Toilet paper rolls as free seed pots
Instead of buying expensive plastic or peat seed pots from the garden center, empty toilet paper rolls can be used perfectly for growing seedlings such as peas, beans or sunflowers.
This is how it works:
- Cut the cardboard roll four times about 1 to 2 centimeters deep at one end.
- Fold the resulting tabs inwards – this creates a stable floor.
- Fill the roll with potting soil and place the seeds in it.
The best thing about this trick is the sustainability when planting. Since cardboard is biodegradable, the delicate seedlings do not have to be removed from the pot later. You can plant the entire roll including the plant directly in the garden bed or in the large pot. The cardboard decomposes itself in the soil and the roots are not damaged when repotting.
