50 Garden Hacks So Cheap, They’re Basically Free (Part 2)

The first 25 hacks were just the beginning. Turns out, the second half of this video is just as packed with clever shortcuts, low-cost fixes, and “why didn’t I think of that” moments. If you thought eggshell planters and aspirin for cuttings were good, wait until you get to newspaper pots and toothpaste pH tests.

This isn’t filler. These next 25 are real, practical, and immediately useful — whether you’re fighting pests, starting seeds, or just trying to keep your hands clean. You’ll find ideas that save time, save money, and occasionally save your sanity.

Let’s keep going. Your compost pile’s about to get smarter, your tomatoes are about to get stronger, and your seed-saving game is about to level up.

We have already seen the first 25 hacks in part 1. Continue the video at 6:42 to get to the hacks 26 to 50!

Hack #26: Start Seeds in Eggshells

If you’re short on seed trays or just want a compostable option, eggshells make surprisingly good starter pots. They’re the right size, they hold moisture, and they come with a little built-in calcium boost. The gardener in the video scrapes a small drainage hole into the bottom using sandpaper or a tiny drill bit. Just don’t crush the shell while doing it.

Once the seedlings are ready, you can plant the whole shell directly into the soil. It’ll break down over time, feeding the plant and avoiding transplant shock. Plus, it’s basically free if you eat eggs. Hard to beat that kind of ROI.

Hack #27: Use Egg Cartons as Seed Trays

If you’re short on seed trays, grab a cardboard egg carton. Each little pocket is the perfect size for starting seeds, and it holds just enough soil to get things going. Fill the compartments, plant your seeds, and water gently to keep the carton intact.

When the seedlings are ready, cut the carton into sections and plant them straight into the ground. The cardboard will break down naturally in the soil and won’t disturb the roots. No plastic, no transplant shock, no fuss.

Hack #28: Bury Chalk for a Calcium Boost

Out of eggshells but still need calcium in your soil? Grab a piece of plain white chalk. It’s basically calcium carbonate, and the gardener in the video buries it near the roots of vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and squash to help prevent calcium deficiencies.

As the chalk breaks down, it slowly releases calcium into the soil. It’s a simple way to strengthen stems and prevent problems like blossom end rot. Just make sure you’re using real chalk, not the colored stuff or synthetic school versions loaded with additives.

Hack #29: Use Phosphorus for Stronger Roots

Want a healthier plant with a better harvest? Focus on the roots early. The gardener in the video adds a phosphorus-rich source like bone meal or organic rock phosphate when planting. This gives the roots exactly what they need to grow strong and deep.

Better roots mean better nutrient uptake, more resilience, and bigger yields down the line. This trick is especially helpful for heavy feeders like tomatoes, squash, and other vegetables that put out big fruits. Just mix it into the soil before transplanting, and let the roots do the rest.

Hack #30: Test Seed Viability with Water

Not all seeds in your stash are worth planting. Some may have dried out or lost their spark. The gardener in the video uses a super simple test to find out which ones are still good. Just drop your seeds into a bowl of water and wait a few minutes.

The viable seeds will sink. The ones that float are usually dried out and unlikely to germinate. Scoop those out and toss them. This trick works best for larger seeds like beans, corn, or peas. It’s a fast way to make sure you’re not wasting space in your garden on duds.

Hack #31: Use Soap to Keep Dirt Out of Your Nails

No gloves? No problem. The gardener in the video shares a trick that saves your nails from getting packed with grime. Just scrape your fingernails over a bar of soap before you start digging around in the soil.

The soap forms a barrier that keeps dirt from lodging under your nails. Once you’re done gardening, rinse your hands and the soap (along with the dirt) washes right out. It’s quick, easy, and saves you from scrubbing your fingers raw after every garden session.

Hack #32: Use Vinegar or Asafoetida to Repel Animals

If neighborhood critters are turning your garden into a snack bar, this hack might save your sanity. The gardener in the video suggests soaking pieces of cloth in vinegar and placing them around the garden. The strong smell keeps animals like cats, dogs, and rabbits away.

For an extra punch, you can also use a piece of cloth wrapped around a bit of asafoetida. Both smells are offensive to many animals and certain insects. Replace the cloths every few days to keep the scent strong and the pests far away.

Hack #33: Use a Magnifying Glass to Spot Pests

Some garden problems are just too small to see with the naked eye. If your plants look off but you can’t spot the culprit, grab a magnifying glass. The gardener in the video uses one to inspect leaves up close and catch pests like spider mites, aphids, and thrips before they cause real damage.

This small tool can make a big difference. Early detection means quicker treatment and less stress for your plants. Plus, it’s oddly satisfying to play plant detective and find out what’s really going on beneath the leaves.

Hack #34: Use Tea or Coffee Grounds to Boost Blooms

Don’t toss those used tea bags or coffee grounds just yet. The gardener in the video sprinkles them around flowering plants to give blooms a little organic boost. These leftovers are rich in nitrogen and other nutrients that help promote healthy foliage and flowering.

Just make sure you’re not piling it on too thick. A light layer worked into the topsoil is all you need. Overdoing it can lead to mold or a too-acidic environment, especially with coffee. But in moderation, this trick turns your morning brew into free plant food.

Hack #35: Add Tea Waste to Compost for Faster Breakdown

Used tea and coffee grounds don’t just feed plants directly. They also turbocharge your compost pile. The gardener in the video adds them to the bin to speed up decomposition. Worms love the stuff, and it helps heat up the pile by adding nitrogen to the mix.

Just sprinkle your daily coffee or tea waste into the compost along with your other kitchen scraps. Mix it well to keep things balanced. The result? A richer, faster, more efficient compost that your garden will thank you for.

Hack #36: Use Toilet Paper for Perfect Seed Spacing

Tiny seeds like carrots and lettuce are hard to space evenly. The gardener in the video uses toilet paper as a seed tape to fix that. Just lay out a strip, place seeds at even intervals, and cover it with a light layer of soil.

This trick makes sure your plants don’t overcrowd each other and saves you from thinning later. You can also make square or round seed boards using the same idea for container gardening. It’s neat, precise, and much easier than scattering seeds by hand.

Hack #37: Remove Overripe Produce to Avoid Pests

Letting fruits and vegetables overripen on the plant might seem harmless, but it’s actually an open invitation for pests. The gardener in the video recommends removing any overripe or rotting produce as soon as you spot it.

These soft, sugary targets attract everything from fruit flies to larger insects and even rodents. Harvest regularly, and if something slips past you, toss it in the compost or trash. Keeping your plants clean helps reduce pest pressure across the entire garden.

Hack #38: Use Epsom Salt to Speed Up Germination

If your seeds are taking their sweet time to sprout, try giving them a little mineral motivation. The gardener in the video uses Epsom salt to encourage faster germination and stronger seedlings. Just dissolve half a teaspoon in 100 milliliters of water and soak your seeds for a few hours before planting.

You can also spray this solution onto young seedlings to give them a magnesium and sulfur boost. It helps with chlorophyll production and makes the plants more vigorous from the start. Just don’t overdo it — once a week is more than enough.

Hack #39: Use a Toothpick to Plant Tiny Seeds

Tiny seeds can be frustrating to handle. They stick to your fingers, fall in clumps, or vanish into the soil before you even place them. The gardener in the video solves this with a toothpick or a small stick dipped in water.

The moisture helps the seeds cling to the tip, so you can pick them up one at a time and place them exactly where you want. It’s precise, mess-free, and especially handy when you’re sowing seeds like basil or snapdragons that are nearly microscopic.

Hack #40: Use Alum to Acidify Soil for Flowering

Some plants just love a little acidity. Roses, hibiscus, and hydrangeas all bloom better in slightly acidic soil. The gardener in the video uses alum powder to give these plants exactly what they need. Just dissolve 5 grams of alum in 1 liter of water and apply it every two weeks.

This mild solution adjusts the pH and helps boost flower production without harming your plants. It’s especially helpful if your soil tends to lean alkaline and your acid-loving plants are looking a little underwhelming.

Hack #41: Test Soil pH with Litmus Paper

Not sure if your soil is acidic or alkaline? The gardener in the video shows how to test it at home using litmus paper. Mix equal parts of soil and water in a small container, stir it well, and then dip in a strip of litmus paper.

The color of the strip will change based on your soil’s pH level. Match it against the color chart provided in your kit to get a reading. This quick test helps you decide whether to amend your soil or leave it as is, depending on what you’re growing.

Hack #42: Do a Vinegar and Baking Soda Soil pH Test

No litmus paper? No problem. The gardener in the video shows how to test your soil’s pH using nothing more than vinegar, baking soda, and a bit of water. It’s not exact, but it’s good enough to tell if your soil leans acidic or alkaline.

First, add a bit of vinegar to your soil sample. If it fizzes, your soil is alkaline. If nothing happens, mix baking soda with water and pour that into a different soil sample. If it fizzes, your soil is acidic. No fizz means your soil is probably neutral. Simple, cheap, and surprisingly useful.

Hack #43: Turn Toilet Paper Rolls into Seed Pots

Don’t throw away those cardboard toilet paper rolls. The gardener in the video turns them into biodegradable seed pots. Just cut the roll in half, make a few slits at the bottom, and fold them inward to create a base. Fill with potting mix and plant your seeds.

When the seedlings are ready, you can plant the whole pot directly into the soil. The cardboard breaks down over time and doesn’t disturb the roots. It’s free, easy, and a great way to recycle what would otherwise go in the trash.

Hack #44: Make Seed Pots from Newspaper

If you’re out of trays and want a cheap, biodegradable option, newspaper is your friend. The gardener in the video rolls strips of newspaper around a small jar or glass to create simple seed-starting pots. Fold the bottom in, press it tight, and you’ve got a ready-to-fill container.

These paper pots hold soil well, let moisture drain, and can be planted straight into the ground once your seedlings are ready. Just be sure to use black-and-white newsprint, not glossy or colored pages. It’s a great way to recycle while giving your plants a strong start.

Hack #45: Grow Mosquito-Repelling Plants

If mosquitoes are making your garden unbearable, the gardener in the video recommends planting natural repellents. Plants like lemongrass, citronella, catnip, basil, marigolds, and eucalyptus all help keep mosquitoes away without the need for sprays or chemicals.

These plants release scents that mosquitoes hate. Place them near patios, doorways, or seating areas for the best results. Bonus: many of them look and smell great to humans while sending biting pests packing.

Hack #46: Use Turmeric to Treat Rose Dieback

After pruning your rose bushes, you might notice some stems turning black or dying back. That’s rose dieback, and the gardener in the video has a simple remedy. Use plain turmeric powder from your kitchen as a natural antifungal treatment.

Just dust the cut ends of the pruned stems with turmeric right after trimming. It helps prevent fungal infections and promotes healthy regrowth. No need for fancy products or sprays — this kitchen staple does the job just fine.

Hack #47: Use Silica Gel to Keep Seeds Dry

Those little packets you find in shoe boxes and electronics? Don’t toss them. The gardener in the video uses silica gel packets to protect stored seeds and powdered garden products from moisture. They’re effective, free, and take up almost no space.

Place a silica packet inside your seed jar or tape it to the underside of the container lid. You can also use them in bags of bone meal, fungicide powder, or rooting hormone to keep everything dry and clump-free. Just make sure the packet stays sealed and intact.

Hack #48: Make a DIY Watering Can from a Soda Bottle

Need a watering can in a pinch? The gardener in the video makes one using a soda bottle and a bit of PVC pipe. It’s cheap, functional, and doesn’t require any glue. Just heat the bottle base so it clamps around the pipe, poke some holes in the bottom, and angle the pipe for easy pouring.

This hack gives you a custom watering tool that’s perfect for targeting the base of your plants without splashing the leaves. You can even paint it if you want to make it look a little less like a plumbing experiment and more like a garden gadget.

Hack #49: Use Plastic Bins as Mini Greenhouses

Starting seeds or baby plants when the weather is still iffy? The gardener in the video uses clear plastic storage bins to create mini greenhouses. Just place them over trays or pots to trap warmth and humidity while still letting in light.

This setup helps speed up germination and protects tender seedlings from cold snaps, wind, and pests. You don’t need anything fancy — even an old under-bed box can do the job. Just make sure there’s enough airflow or crack the lid during warm afternoons to prevent overheating.

Hack #50: Never Spray Pesticides on Flowers

This last tip is more about what not to do. The gardener in the video warns against spraying pesticides directly onto flowers. Why? Because flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, and those are the very creatures your garden needs to thrive.

Spraying pesticides on blooms can harm or kill these helpful insects. Instead, target pest treatments at the leaves or stems when necessary, and always spray in the early morning or late evening when pollinators are less active. Keeping them safe means better pollination and more food for you.

Goodbye Guesswork, Hello Garden Wins

You made it through all 50. The second half? Just as clever as the first. From toilet paper seed tapes to turmeric cuts and soda bottle watering cans, these are the kinds of hacks that make you feel like a gardening genius with almost zero effort.

What stands out is how much you can do with what you already have. No fancy gear. No expensive supplies. Just creativity, common sense, and a willingness to try something new. That’s the heart of real gardening — figuring it out as you go, one weird but wonderful trick at a time.

Big thanks again to Gardening Is My Passion for packing so many useful ideas into a single video. If your compost smells better, your seedlings sprout faster, or your basil finally takes off this season, you’ll know where it started.