If you love vino and also enjoy spending clip in the garden , do n’t be so quick to shed away those corks after complete a bottleful . I ’ve found they can actually come in ready to hand in some pretty unexpected ways .
Whether it ’s using them to keep pests off or turn them into little works markers , wine corks are a elementary , eco - friendly way to give your garden a boost . Plus , it feels full knowing you ’re recycle something instead of adding to the trash .
I ’m always looking for easy , budget - friendly tricks like this , and using cork is definitely one of my favorite . Let ’s dive into some cagey ideas for putting those small stoppers to work in your garden !
1. Drainage Boosters For Potted Plants
Place a layer of wine corks at the bottom of plant pots before adding dirt . They make perfect drain space that prevent water from pooling and causing root rot . The . was makeed by n’t I started using this fast one last spring and noticed my container plants stayed much healthier throughout summer rainstorms . you could use whole corks for bigger pots or cut them in half lengthwise for littler container . Just check up on that to arrange them with small gaps between each cork to let water to flow through .
2. Mulch Alternative for Small Plants
piece vino corks into lean discs and spread them around small plant as a natural mulch . The phellem piece assist continue wet while suppressing weeds just like traditional mulch option . My neighbor could n’t calculate out what I ’d used around my herb garden until I showed her my phellem - cutting proficiency . The light color of the phellem also reflects sunshine , help to keep the dirt coolheaded during hot days . For best results , cut each cork into 3 - 4 phonograph record using a crisp knife on a stable Earth’s surface . This mulch work especially well for container gardens where you want something decorative yet functional .
3. Plant Markers That Last
Cut corks in one-half lengthwise and write plant name calling on the level side with a permanent marker . Push a wooden skewer into the rounded side and stick it in the soil next to your plants for easygoing designation . Unlike paper or wooden marker that deteriorate rapidly , cork stands up to watering and weather condition for an entire growing time of year . The natural H2O opposition of phellem make these markers peculiarly utile in veggie garden or herb patches . To make them even more durable , apply a thin coating of clear nail polish over your writing . This simple trick has salvage me infinite multiplication when try to retrieve which tomato variety is which !
4. Floating Row Cover Weights
yarn garden twine through several corks and use them to hold down row screen or garden fabric . Their weight is just right – heavy enough to secure lightweight materials without damage delicate plants underneath . During unexpected frost warnings last spring , I quickly made some cork weights to secure protective covers over my seedlings . The corks are soft enough that they wo n’t tear fabric even in potent winds . Keep a few pre - made cork weight strings in your garden shed for emergencies . They ’re much easy to use than hunting for rocks or brick when you necessitate to protect plant quickly from weather changes .
5. Compost Aerators (The Viral Trick!)
force about 20 - 30 whole wine corks indiscriminately throughout your compost pile to create air channel . This simple hack has travel viral because it solves the mutual job of oxygen circulation in compost without any special equipment . The natural spaces between corks create perfect pathways for air to make the centre of your pile , speeding up decomposition dramatically . After trying this method , my compost get down breaking down in half the clip it used to take . No demand to turn your pile as often when you use this method . The cork wo n’t decompose rapidly , so it ’s potential to retrieve them when you harvest your finished compost and reuse them in your next deal .
6. Mini Pot Feet Elevators
Cut corks in one-half and glue three piece to the bottom of small plant pots to elevate them off surfaces . This prevent water stains on deck and patios while improving airflow beneath containers . The slight lift help drainage and reduces the risk of plague like bullet climbing into your pots . When my patio containers started showing signs of rot last summer , switching to phellem foot solved the job instantly . For heavy pots , use whole cork instead of one-half and secure them with rainproof adhesive . This simple addition extends the life of both your plants and your containers by prevent wet buildup .
7. Bird Feeder Float
yarn corks onto a twine to create a floating perch in bird baths or water feature . Birds take account having a safe place to land before drink or washup , especially smaller species that might debar deeper water . The natural buoyancy of cork makes it hone for this intent . I add a cork ice-cream soda to my backyard bird bath last month and noticed immediate increases in visitor numbers , especially chickadees and finch . Arrange the cork in a round form for stableness , and ground the twine to the side of your bird bathtub . Replace the cork annually as they may finally become waterlogged or evolve alga growth .
8. Slug And Snail Barriers
Create protective ring around vulnerable plants by crunch vino corks into little piece . The . was irritateed by texture After old age of lose seedlings to slimy invader , this phellem roadblock method acting has saved countless lettuce and Hosta in my garden . The cork pieces need replacing after heavy rain , but they ’re much safer than chemical deterrents , particularly around comestible plant . A food processor make quick work of grinding cork , but you ’re capable to also use a cheese grater for smaller batches . Sprinkle the phellem pieces in a 2 - inch broad band around plants for maximal protection .
9. Trellis Grid Connectors
Drill hole through cork to use them as connectors for bamboo stakes or thin branches when construct DIY garden trellis . The cork act as a natural junction that ’s easygoing to work with and wo n’t harm plant stems that brushwood against it . Last summer I construct a cucumber trellis using this method , and it stood strong all season despite heavy fruit loads . The flexibility of the cork connections actually help the structure defy wind better than stiff connection would . For extra stableness , soak the cork in water before drilling to make them soft and less likely to split . These natural connection will last for several growing season before needing replacement .
10. Seed Starting Pods
Hollow out wine cork with a small drill bit or apple corer to create tiny planters for seed get down . Fill the excavate corks with seeded player get down mix , add one seed per cork , and place them in a shallow tray of water . The natural wicking activity of cork keeps seeds perfectly moist without overwatering . When seedlings evolve their first dead on target leaves , you may set the entire phellem directly into the garden where it will eventually break down . This method work peculiarly well for small seeds like herbs and lettuces . My kitchen windowsill now features a revolve aggregation of these mini cork planters that deliver fresh microgreens twelvemonth - circular .
11. Garden Tool Handles
Upgrade old garden tools by attach vino corks to create more comfortable clasp . Simply bore a golf hole through the cork and skid it onto the grip of small tool like trowel or pruner where metal handles can get uncomfortable during extended use . The natural texture and slight give of cork provides excellent grip even when your custody are wet or boggy . After developing hand spasm from my metal trowel , adding cork clasp let me to work in the garden doubly as long without discomfort . For larger tools , use multiple cork side by side and secure them with waterproof adhesive . Give the finished manage a light sanding for a politic , splinter - free surface that ’s gentle on your custody .
12. Micro-Irrigation Flow Regulators
Drill a bantam hole lengthwise through wine cork and connect them to irrigation tubing to make adjustable trickle emitter for container plants . The narrow-minded passage through the cork of course slows water flowing to a arrant trickle rate . By varying the sizing of the hole , it ’s potential to customize water flow for different plants ’ need . This hack saved my container garden during a two - hebdomad holiday when I could n’t water manually . Connect the phellem emitter to a simple gravitation - fed system using a raised bucket or rainfall barrel . The cork wo n’t choke off like commercial-grade emitters often do , and they ’re easy to make clean by merely run a thin wire through the centre .
13. Mini Fairy Garden Furniture
Transform wine cork into charming miniature furniture for fairy gardens . The . was corked by slice My grandkids spend hours arrange and rearranging the cork piece of furniture in our backyard fairy garden . The natural look of phellem blend absolutely with garden setting while stand up to out-of-door conditions far better than fictile alternatives . A little acrylic fiber pigment can add fun colors to your phellem creations , though the natural cork colour often look most authentic . Seal finished pieces with open outdoor sealant if you want them to last for multiple seasons .
14. Vertical Garden Backing Board
Glue wine corks flat side down onto a wooden plank to create a natural backup for mounting air plants , succulents , or moss . The rough-textured surface supply arrant nooks for tucking in little plants while the cork ’s opposition to moisture prevents rot . After seeing a similar show at a garden show charging hundreds of dollars , I made my own for less than $ 20 using saved cork . The varying heights and natural patterns of the corks create an interesting visual texture even before adding plants . Mount your cork plank in a partially shaded country for best results with most plant . Mist occasionally to provide moisture without saturating the cork , which helps preserve its natural properties longer .
15. Soil Block Dibber Tool
Attach a vino cork to the end of a dowel or pencil to create a arrant dibble tool for make seed planting holes in soil blocks or seeded player tray . The cork creates idealistic - sized depressions without compact surround soil too much . For old age I struggled get seed plant at reproducible depths until I made this elementary instrument . The phellem ’s end can be determine or sandpaper to create different sized holes for various seeded player types . Mark measurement line on the cork with permanent marking to assist you gauge planting depth for different seeds . This humble tool has dramatically improved sprouting rate in my vegetable garden by ensuring seed are planted at their optimal depth every clip .
