Before you buy another bag of compost, stack of seed-starting pots, or roll of weed barrier, take a look inside your recycling bin and trash can. Some of the most useful free garden materials are things households routinely throw away, from cardboard boxes and coffee grounds to fallen leaves and empty containers. That doesn’t mean every viral “garden hack” is worth trying, because some household waste can attract pests, spread disease, or even harm plants when used incorrectly. However, university Extension experts recommend several surprisingly ordinary materials for composting, mulching, seed starting, and improving garden soil. Here are 10 things worth rescuing before trash day—and how to use them without creating a bigger gardening problem.
