Wrapping Paper, Ribbon, Boxes, and Holiday Greenery Have a Second Life in the Garden!
I’ve spent the last few days cleaning up the Christmas debris and putting away decorations. It occurred to me that I was wasting an awful lot of resources! Looking at all the stuff I was throwing away, I came up with a few ideas on how to re-use in the garden.
If you have others, please share!
Wrapping Paper Seed Pots
Home made paper seed pots have long been made of newspaper for inexpensive seed starting containers. Why not use discarded wrapping paper?! Cut strips of wrapping paper 11″ x 23″. Fold paper in half lengthwise and roll around a jar or can. Fold paper edges over jar to form bottom of pot. Remove jar and you have a pot! Fill pot with potting soil and plant seeds.
Ribbon/Bow Bird Scares
Although there’s not much fruit in the garden right now, the birds will arrive in force when the fruit trees and vines are bearing in late spring and summer. Instead of buying reflective tape to tie to your trees and trellises to scare the birds away, save metallic ribbon and bows from holiday gifts. Tie strips of metallic ribbon to the bows and then tie to tree branches or trellises. When breezes blow and sway the ribbons and bows, the birds will flee (we hope!).
Fabric Ribbon Plant Ties
I hate throwing pretty fabric ribbon away so I have containers of saved ribbon of odd lengths. Use these in the garden to tie up tomatoes and other climbing plants to their trellises/poles. It adds a festive look to the garden!
Gift Box Plant Trays
Where to put all those wrapping paper seed pots you just made so they stay upright and organized? Find a gift box the right size to hold how ever many seed pots you made. Note that the box will get wet when you water, so make sure to place on a cookie sheet or other water proof surface so it doesn’t mar the surface of counter top or table.
Turn Evergreen Garlands/Wreaths into Mulch
If you have a chipper/shredder machine, turn your pine, fir, cedar and other evergreen garland and wreaths into mulch for your acid loving plants like azalea and camelia. Don’t forget to remove any wire or other supporting material before chipping.
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