by Susan Risley

Created on: November 10, 2008

We live in a disposable world, yet it's costly to dispose of all those items intended to only last a season or two. Landfills are filling up and we are becoming more eco-conscious. Well, it's about time! We're also becoming more money conscious in these difficult economic times. Here are some ways to reuse items and save a few boobinkies in the process.

There are so many things that we use and throw away without even thinking about it. Many of these things can be recycled as planters, seed starters and/or attractive and useful additions to the landscape. I've been using unwanted items in my landscape for over 20 years. Here's how it works.

First, let's think small. How often do you drive through a coffee cart or buy a soda from the fast food joint? Most people drive through these at least once or twice a week. Those wonderful paper cups make the best seed-starting pots, especially for plants that have a longer taproot. The soda cups are even better because the fine layer of wax on the outside makes them hold up a little longer. Just poke a hole in the bottom, fill with potting soil, plant your seed, and water. When it's time to plant into a larger container or the ground, simply prepare your area. Then gently peel the paper cup off of the roots and transplant. The roots suffer little or no shock that usually occurs when prying out of plastic pots. So there is never a need to buy little plastic pots to start your seeds in. Just save up some soda cups and you're in business. Ice Cream cartons are great for this too. Note: It's best to rinse containers out and allow to dry before storage.

How about those weeds that block light from your berry bushes, and rob your rhodies of nutrients? All of those spring hours that get spent pulling them out, as well as your back, can be spent enjoying them instead. This problem can be easily cured with cardboard. We all encounter boxes from time to time. Boxes make a wonderful mulch. Just lay them out around the trunks of your plants. You can even cut out pieces to fit around if you want to bother with it. Then cover with straw, lawn clippings or leaves. Come spring your plants will be healthy and happily weed free.

Now we'll talk bigger. We've all had items that just don't work any more. Well, if it's fillable and drainable, you've got a planter. We're talking bath tubs, storage containers, outdoor grills and old washer tubs. My favorite planter is an old ringer washer filled with Dusty Miller and daffodils, tulips and glads, with a Raspberry Swirl sweet William hanging off the edge. This planter is full of color that changes throughout three seasons. It's a beautiful antique.

So next time you grab a drive-thru coffee or have to discard an appliance, ask yourself: Should I throw this away, or can it be useful to me in my garden or landscape? You can watch both your plants and your budget grow.

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