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    Home » Trending

    Published: May 18, 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. ·

    10 Odd but Effective Tricks for a Lush Garden

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    Gardening advice is everywhere, but sometimes the strangest tips are the ones that work best. If you've tried all the usual advice and still want fuller flowers or bigger veggies, it's time to get a little weird.

    These 10 odd but effective tricks may sound unusual, but they’re surprisingly powerful for growing a lush, vibrant garden.

    Bury Banana Peels for Boosted Blooms

    Three overripe banana peels and scattered leaves lie on dark, moist soil with a small green plant growing nearby.
    Photo Credit: Alexey Demidov/Unsplash

    Instead of tossing them in the trash, bury banana peels at the base of flowering plants. They slowly release potassium and phosphorus into the soil—perfect for encouraging more blossoms.

    Use Aquarium Water as Fertilizer

    A young girl sticks out her tongue while looking at colorful fish inside a home aquarium with plants and gravel.
    Photo Credit: IciakPhotos/Envato

    Don’t dump that murky water! Used fish tank water is full of nutrients like nitrogen and good bacteria. Pour it at the base of your plants for a free, gentle fertilizer boost.

    Plant Rusty Nails Near Hydrangeas

    A metal bowl filled with a variety of rusty and clean nails and screws sits on a bright yellow surface.
    Photo Credit: Ivan Babydov/Pexels

    Want blue hydrangea blooms? Bury a few rusty nails in the soil. As they oxidize, they increase the soil’s acidity—shifting your flowers toward a beautiful blue hue.

    Add Coffee Grounds to Tomato Beds

    Ground coffee sits in a white paper filter, viewed from above, ready for brewing.
    Photo Credit: Dex Ezekiel/Unsplash

    Spent coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen and improve soil texture. Sprinkle them around tomato plants to strengthen growth and deter certain pests like slugs.

    Place Diapers in the Bottom of Planters

    A hand holding a disposable baby diaper with a cartoon lion and balloon printed on the front, indoors.
    Photo Credit: ReadyElements/Pixabay

    Unusual but clever—diapers retain moisture! Put one at the bottom of a pot to help keep soil damp longer, reducing how often you have to water.

    Sprinkle Cinnamon to Stop Fungus

    Several cinnamon sticks, including a bundle tied with raffia, are placed on a mound of ground cinnamon powder against a white background.
    Photo Credit: ulleo/Pixabay

    Fungus on seedlings? Try cinnamon. Its natural anti-fungal properties help prevent damping-off disease and mold growth in humid conditions.

    Use Crushed Eggshells to Deter Pests

    Two brown egg shells and a pile of crushed eggshell pieces are on a white plate.
    Photo Credit: ThamKC/Envato

    Crush and scatter eggshells around your plants to keep slugs, snails, and cutworms away. As a bonus, they also add calcium to the soil over time.

    Drop Aspirin into the Soil

    Close-up of blister packs containing round pink and white tablets on a wooden surface, with one pink and one white tablet outside the packs.
    Photo Credit: Hilbert/Pixabay

    Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which can help boost plant immunity. Dissolve a tablet in water and pour it around the roots to improve disease resistance.

    Bury Kitchen Sponges Under the Soil

    A rectangular yellow kitchen sponge with a green abrasive scrubbing pad on top is shown on a plain white background.
    Photo Credit: tomekwalecki/Pixabay

    Placing sponges under potting soil helps retain moisture during dry spells. They act like mini water reservoirs, keeping roots happier for longer.

    Water with Leftover Pasta Water

    Long pasta noodles are being cooked in a pot of boiling water on a stovetop.
    Photo Credit: LightFieldStudios/Envato

    Once your pasta cools down, save the water. It contains starches and trace minerals that can feed soil microbes and boost plant health naturally.

    A lush garden doesn’t always come from fancy fertilizers or perfect technique. Sometimes, it’s the quirky hacks and oddball tricks that deliver the biggest results. Try a few of these weird but effective ideas and watch your garden thrive.

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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.

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