A big expense for lawn care enthusiasts is weed killer. A good weed killer is high-priced and toxic. Even the lesser brands are still costly compared to what you should switch to. Vinegar will kill weeds just as good as those toxic products. Purchase a large, pump-style spray bottle from a lawn and garden supply store. Fill with straight white vinegar and spray directly on the weeds. Do this chore on a bright, sunny day and the weeds will die. Great for the environment.
Let’s save some money in the garden. Start your own plants from seeds. This is a great way to save a few dollars. Use recycled egg carton bottoms as starter pots instead of purchasing ones from a store to save you some cash. Plus you are recycling. Replace your high-priced fertilizer and use hair instead. Yes, I said hair. Save your own or go to a salon or barber shop and ask them to save it for you. Hair actually contains more nitrogen then what most fertilizers do. Work it in as you would store bought fertilizer to enrich your soil in the spring.
Milk jugs are a great way to protect your plants. Cut the bottoms out of your used milk jugs. Place over your garden plants as a mini greenhouse. Great for early spring plants and late fall plants.
Make your wooden garden stakes waterproof. Soak the ends of your tomato stakes in used motor oil for 24 hours or more. Let air out for at least a day before using and they will be good and waterproof.
Have trouble with mealybugs around your plants. Used cigarette butts can be soaked in water overnight. Water the plants where the infestation is. Not a smoker? Try going to a location that has a cigarette butt disposal outside their facility and ask if you can have them. You’ll probably get some strange looks but just explain what you are using them for.
Now for the do-it-your-self handyperson. Need insulation but running short on cash. Egg cartons are the answer. There are so many uses for egg cartons and they should be recycled for other uses. To use egg cartons as insulation just unfold and nail right to the wall. Make sure you overlap the tops and the cups to get a sufficient barrier.
Save those broken, old combs and you’ll be saving your fingers. When you are working on a project that requires you to hammer nails into an item use the comb to hold the nail in place while you hammer. Try it and you won’t smash your fingers.
For a recycled screwdriver pouch make one out of a worn-out glove. Cut the fingertips off. Then cut a couple of slits for a belt and use this to hold your screwdrivers while working.
Using your imagination, recycling products for other uses and sometimes a little hard work can save you money which is sometimes hard to come by these days. A little effort and trial-and-error is going to occur but the rewards will be great in the end.
All You.com
Home Wisdom by Reader’s Digest