If you’re like me, you’ve probably seen all those crazy, weird gardening hacks online that make little sense. So what I figured I’d do, as an actual gardener, is give you five gardening tips that actually work. I’ll also explain exactly why they work, so you can use them in your own garden with confidence.
Tip 1: Use Felt Pots or Smart Pots
Felt pots are a lifesaver, especially for urban gardeners. I grow potatoes in them, but they work for many plants. These lightweight, foldable containers are easy to move around, which is perfect for small spaces.
They prevent waterlogging and help air prune roots, ensuring they don’t stay soggy. In fact, my felt-pot potatoes often outperform those planted in raised beds or directly in the ground.
A few added benefits:
- You can fold down the sides to let in more light as plants grow.
- They are easy to rotate, giving plants even sun exposure.
- They’re cheap, durable, and endlessly reusable.
Tip 2: Gardening Without Gloves
I personally don’t like using gloves. I prefer feeling the soil and working with plants delicately. Instead, I use Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream. It acts as a protective layer against dirt and poison ivy while moisturizing your hands.
It’s almost like wearing “virtual gloves.” Just make sure to cover your entire hand, including under your fingernails, for full protection.
Tip 3: Replace Gravel with Sponges
Many people recommend placing gravel at the bottom of containers, but it doesn’t improve drainage as much as you think. Instead, use cut-up sponges.
Sponges absorb excess water and slowly release it back into the soil via capillary action. This turns an ordinary container into a self-watering one. One or two inches of sponge can make a major difference in keeping the soil balanced and plants healthier.
Tip 4: Reuse Plastic Bottles as Cloches
If you have leftover plastic bottles, don’t toss them. You can repurpose them as protective garden cloches or DIY mini-greenhouses.
- Use the top half of the bottle for smaller seedlings—it comes with built-in airflow.
- Use the bottom half for taller plants, cutting ventilation holes to prevent overheating.
This protects seedlings from birds, pests, and fluctuating temperatures while supporting faster growth.
Tip 5: Coffee Filters for Drainage Holes
Overwatering is the most common mistake in container gardening, leading to root rot. Containers with drainage holes are essential, but soil often escapes through them.
By placing a coffee filter at the bottom before filling with soil, you can:
- Allow water to drain properly.
- Prevent soil runoff into trays or onto surfaces.
- Improve root health by avoiding soggy conditions.
At Epic Gardening, we even joke about calling them “soil filters.”
Bonus: Barrier Skin Cream in Action
After getting my hands dirty, I tested Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream on one hand and left the other untreated. The protected hand cleaned easily with a single wipe, while the unprotected one needed multiple washes. This showed how effective it is in gardening and even foraging.
Why These Gardening Tips Work
Each of these gardening tips that actually work has a simple principle—improve plant health while reducing unnecessary effort. Instead of following online gimmicks, applying proven techniques like using felt pots, repurposing items, and protecting your hands helps you grow more effectively.
