Watch a recent TikTok video from creators @jeffandlaurenshow it left me feeling all sorts of disappointment. They gave viewers many gardening hacks that were so simpleI realized I’ve been doing things the hard way, forever.
After feeling mild irritation, I calmed down and immediately went outside to try them all. I can confirm that the ones I tried (at least the ones I had the materials for) absolutely worked. Here is every tip from the video, explained.
1. Use plant containers as planting guides
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You know those little plastic containers that new plants come in from the garden center? Remove these plants and press the empty containers into your soil first. Cover them with soil around the outside, and when you lift them up, you’ll have perfectly sized, perfectly spaced holes ready for each plant to drop right into.
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This works extremely well in large pots when you want good depth, as the pot sits lower in the soil, meaning nothing falls over when it’s covered. It seems so simple, but believe me, I spent many years digging holes in my garden that ended up being too small for my plant of choice.
If you are planting seeds instead of putting plants, use a Seeding Square, available on Amazonto place them evenly.
2. Create an extended pruning access tool
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Unless you’re a giraffe, cutting high branches can prove quite difficult, especially for those without a ladder. Jeff takes a long pipe and screws a hook with a hole (like this one from Amazon). He puts the handle of a pair of garden shears through the top of the pipe, which is held in place by a rubber band.
A bungee cord passed through the hook is wrapped around the other handle of the scissor (it acts as a sort of “hand”). The result is an improvised long distance pruning tool that costs next to nothing to assemble (except maybe a little brain power).
If you are going to regularly prune tall trees and shrubs, then invest in a telescopic pruning pole, such as the Fiskars XtendControl, which extends up to 16 feet.
3. Deadhead Roses the right way
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This isn’t so much a hack as a fix all too common false rose. When dead rosesit is not enough to cut only the flower and its immediate stem. You must cut below the first set of five leaflets.
Cutting too high will result in weaker regeneration and getting it right makes a big difference to how well your roses bloom. If you need the perfect pair of scissors, these Fiskars bypass pruning shears they are best selling on Amazon and budget friendly.
4. Remove rust from garden shears with white vinegar
(Image: Emma Kendell)
Most of us just run to the store to replace rusty scissors or suffer the consequences. However, you can simply place the metal part in a jar of distilled white vinegar and let it soak. The acidity breaks down the rust and restores the metal. It is one of those uses for white vinegar (available here at Walmart) that really works and is much cheaper than buying new tools.
5. Water your plants
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Instead of watering from above, try placing your pot in a bowl of water and letting it absorb moisture from the bottom up. This method – also known as bottom irrigation – allows the compost to absorb water more evenly. You can even buy a bottom watering tray for this very purpose. Plus, you’ll avoid the common problem of water running straight through dry potting mix without being properly absorbed.
It is extremely useful for plants that dislike wetness in their leaves or crown, and for any pot where the compost has dried so much that watering is not penetrating.
6. Scrape your nails into soap or wax before gardening
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Ok, this is a hack I really like! Gardening absolutely destroys my nails and I hate wearing gloves for certain tasks. Run your nails over a dry bar of soap or wax. The soap/wax will fill the spaces under your nails, preventing dirt from getting trapped there.
When you wash your hands afterwards, the soap/wax washes right off and your nails stay nice and clean. Once you learn it, it will become a habit.
And, if your nails still get dirty while gardening, then Grandma’s Grime Away Gardener’s Soap, available on Amazonhe’ll make a squeal.
7. Make a DIY plant propagation hanger
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Lauren tapes a string to the bottom of a jar, ties it in three loops around the body of the jar, fills it with water, and places a cutout inside. The vase is then hung, creating a neat, space-saving display broadcast station. It is ideal for cuttings rooted in water and is a very cute way to display them.
If you’re one of the rare few who don’t have jars lying around, you can buy some of these at Targetwhich are available in sets of 4.
8. Protect tools with sand and mineral oil
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Fill a metal bucket with sand and food-grade mineral oil, alternating the two like a cake. Placing the garden tools in the mixture cleans and coats them, protecting metal surfaces from rust and keeping the blades in good condition. It’s simple maintenance, but saves you a ton of money on buying new tools in the future.
But if your tools are already clogged with dirt, then you need some good old ones WD-40, available on Amazonto clean them.
9. Turn a Pool Noodle into a Soaker Hose
(Image: Caroline Munsterman/Getty Images)
Grab a pool noodle (most of us have it sitting in a random shed somewhere) and cut small holes in one side, a few inches apart. Put a stopper on one end (Jeff used a toy carrot), put a hose on the other end and you have a makeshift soaking hose which slowly waters plants along a row.
Alternatively, use a flat soak tube, like this Rainpoint designwhich will easily stay in place for the plants you want to water.
10. Save the seeds in a photo album
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I have seen this seed storage solution before, but it’s worth knowing if you don’t already. Seed packets stored loosely in a drawer get lost, torn or wrinkled. Slipping them into a photo album’s plastic sleeves helps keep them organized and protected. Alternatively, this Wildgoose Seed Storage Binder Organizer it looks like a classy leather photo album. Tag the pages by season or plant type and you’ll have your very own seed library.
Some hacks take years of experience to develop. These got a TikTok video!
