While walking around the house yesterday, I wondered what kinds of things I could use in my Victory Garden that I already had at home. This could be a tool, a container, or just about anything. We green thumbs have such a huge selection of products available to us, both in local stores as well as online. So here it goes—my unabridged list of stuff (I mean garden supplies) that I found at home, and what those items could be useful for.

Wait, wait—there’s more. See Garden Supplies on the Cheap: Thrift- and Dollar-Store Edition.

• Empty gallon water containers make great frost or wind protectors. See my article on these from last year.

• Empty water bottles can be used as “watering cans” for transplants.

• Used containers (washed, of course) such as plastic/styrofoam cups, egg and milk cartons, and small boxes are great for seed starting.

• Old sheets, blankets, towels or throws make great frost- or wind-protection screens.

• Coffee cup “sleeves” make great cutworm collars. Compost them when they’re no longer needed.

• Cardboard boxes cut into rectangles can also be used for cutworm collars. Also, large boxes can be opened up and laid down as a weed-proof foundation prior to laying down mulch

• Plastic baggies can be used to store seeds, soil mix, packets, small tools, etc.

• Old pairs of nylons can be cut up to secure tomato or pepper branches to their supports. They can also be used to strain compost or pepper tea.

• Old or worn-out shirts make great cleanup rags while doing tune-ups on gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

• Old toothbrushes are very nice to have when servicing lawn and garden equipment.

• Toilet paper put in the trench you make in the soil to sow tiny seeds simulates a seed tape.

• Old kitchen knives kept near the compost pile can be used to cut up plant matter into smaller pieces.

• Broken or old broom handle can be used as a guide for making straight rows or aligning transplants.

• Rocks, scrap lumber, or other small but heavy objects can be used to hold down tarps, fabric, row covers, etc. I have the discs from an old iron barbell set that do this wonderfully.

• Shoebox or recipe card holder makes for a great seed packet holder/organizer.

See more creative recycling ideas:

• Old Bedsheets Make Great Tomato Ties
• Use Stockings as Plant Ties
• Shield Your Seedlings from Cutworms
• Free Coffee Grounds for Your Plants
• Save Recycled Containers for Starting Spring Seed
• Water Container Frost Protection

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Felco Pruning Shears (F 9) - High Performance Swiss Made One-Hand Left-Handed Garden Pruners

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Spearhead Shade Gardening Shovel with Steel-Reinforced Fiberglass Handle

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Reduce Digging Effort - The Spear Head Spade is the first hybrid shovel/spade, guaranteed to make your toughest digging up to 80% easier than regular shovels and spades, even in the toughest soil conditions. Ideal for landscaping and gardening. Multi-Purpose Shovel - Spear Head Spade is a versatile tool that can be used for digging, planting, weeding, cutting, and edging. It is designed to handle tough soil and clay conditions, and can cut through roots and tough vegetation with ease. Innovative Design - Has a unique blade design that makes it more efficient and easier to use than traditional spades. The blade is shaped like a spearhead, with a pointed tip and a curved edge that allows it to penetrate the soil more easily. Ergonomic D-Handle - The large, cushioned D-grip offers comfort and better leverage for gloved and ungloved hands alike, reducing strain on the hands and wrists. Lightweight & Strong - Durable handle is made of special steel-reinforced, pultruded fiberglass to withstand heavy use. 60% stronger than EN-3388 shovel/spade standards, 33% thicker and 25% harder than normal shovels. Sharpened from tip to tail at a 35 degree angle for an effective and durable edge.

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