This tip brought to you by our Garden Guru Sheri Ann Richerson
on Feb 13, 2010
From garden tools to hardscape materials, there are many ways gardeners can reduce, reuse, and recycle. The most common way to do this is to compost. Green and brown materials such as leaves, weeds, kitchen scraps, and livestock manure are added to a pile. This pile eventually breaks down and becomes "black gold" that's ready to put on your garden to improve the soil and feed the plants.
Other items can be reused or repurposed as well. New gardeners or local charity organizations might appreciate old garden tools. Have a hand tool with a broken handle? Replace the handle rather than replacing the tool itself. Not only is this less expensive, but it keeps materials out of landfills. That broken handle could even have a new use as a plant support.
If you have old bricks, pavers, or stones, some gardeners might be happy to come and take them. If not, look for new ways to use them in your garden—you could work on a new walkway or create stepping paths inside your flower beds.
Many plant supply stores and nurseries will accept flower pots and flats once your plants are removed; in fact, some will even give you merchandise credit for returning them. They can also be used in your garden to house extra plants that can be sold or given away.
