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    Home » Trending

    Published: May 20, 2025 by Kristen Wood · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. ·

    9 Genius Garden Tricks Hiding in Your Junk Drawer

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    Think your junk drawer is just a messy collection of odds and ends? Think again. Some of the most surprising gardening solutions are sitting right in there, waiting to be repurposed. From old spoons to twist ties and rubber bands, everyday items can be transformed into clever garden tools and fixes.

    You don’t need fancy gear to get great results. These 9 junk drawer treasures will have you gardening smarter—not harder.

    Old Spoons as Mini Shovels

    Six assorted vintage metal spoons of varying sizes and conditions arranged on a plain white surface.
    Photo Credit: Joanna Kosinska/Unsplash

    Lost your hand trowel? Grab an old spoon! It’s perfect for scooping soil, transplanting seedlings, and working in tight spots like container gardens.

    Bread Bag Clips for Plant Labels

    Three plastic bag clips—red, yellow, and green—are placed on a dark surface with a folded paper bag in the background.
    Photo Credit: gresei/Envato

    Don’t toss those tiny plastic tabs. Use a permanent marker to label them and clip them to small plant stems or stakes for quick and easy ID tags.

    HERB OF THE DAY · Explore today’s herb →

    Rubber Bands to Hold Up Vines

    A pile of colorful rubber bands is spread out on a wooden surface.
    Photo Credit: Erbs55/Pixabay

    Gently secure vines or floppy stems to stakes with soft rubber bands. They’re stretchy enough not to harm the plant and sturdy enough to hold things in place.

    Old Forks as Pest Deterrents

    Six vintage forks with varying designs are arranged side by side on a scratched, brown metal surface.
    Photo Credit: MPPLLC45/Envato

    Stick plastic or metal forks in the soil with the tines facing up to deter cats, squirrels, or birds from digging in your garden beds.

    Wine Corks for Cushioning Stakes

    A group of assorted wine corks with various brand markings and texts, arranged in a loose pile on a white surface.
    Photo Credit: FilipFilipovic/Pixabay

    Pop wine corks on the tops of garden stakes to prevent eye pokes and give a finished look to your DIY plant supports.

    Twist Ties for Instant Trellising

    Assorted uncooked colored pasta strips arranged diagonally on a solid blue background.
    Photo Credit: LightFieldStudios/Envato

    Those extra twist ties from bread bags or produce? They’re perfect for gently training vines or securing plants to supports without damaging stems.

    Paper Clips for Hanging Plants

    A pile of multicolored paperclips, including red, yellow, green, blue, and white, scattered on a black surface.
    Photo Credit: _Alicja_/Pixabay

    Bend large paper clips into plant hangers or hooks to support lightweight hanging pots, air plants, or seedling trays.

    Old Toothbrush for Leaf Cleaning

    Three toothbrushes with different colored bristles are placed on a white surface near a tube of blue gel toothpaste.
    Photo Credit: stevepb/Pixabay

    Use a soft toothbrush to gently clean dusty leaves, scrub pots, or remove pests like aphids from plant stems without harsh chemicals.

    Ice Cube Trays for Seed Starters

    Person holding an ice cube tray with fruit in some compartments, using a spoon to add berries; strawberries and blueberries are visible on the table.
    Photo Credit; weewendy/Envato

    Don’t throw away that extra ice cube tray—it’s the perfect size for starting seeds. Just add soil, seeds, and a little water to each compartment.

    Gardening doesn’t have to be expensive. With a little creativity, your junk drawer can become a toolbox full of clever, cost-free solutions. Start digging—you might already have everything you need.

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    About Kristen Wood

    Kristen is a plant lover, gardener, certified functional nutritional expert, cookbook author, writer, and photographer. Her work has been featured in many online and print publications including Willow & Sage Magazine, Forbes, NBC, New York Daily News, Healthline, MSN, Elle, Yoga Journal, and many more. She is also a syndicated writer for The Associated Press.

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    About Kristen Wood

    Kristen is a plant lover, gardener, certified functional nutritional expert, cookbook author, writer, and photographer. Her work has been featured in many online and print publications including Willow & Sage Magazine, Forbes, NBC, New York Daily News, Healthline, MSN, Elle, Yoga Journal, and many more. She is also a syndicated writer for The Associated Press.

    Learn more about me →

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