Save Plastic Nursery Pots For Another Clever Use, And Enjoy Healthier Plants

Ask a gardener what seems to grow freely in their yard, and they'll probably think of weeds. But there is likely something else that is multiplying under their noses: their collection of used plastic nursery pots. Whether from buying new plants or receiving transplants from neighbors, the stack of pots is always growing. Thankfully, there are many clever uses for the pots, from transforming them into prominent yard decor to using the pots to deter squirrels from your bird feeder. 

The next time you are adding mulch to your yard, pull out your stash of plastic pots for a hack that will make the task easier while also keeping your plants safe and ready to thrive. One of the trickier aspects of mulching is trying to keep the bark off the foliage or away from the base of the plant. This usually requires getting on your hands and knees to carefully place handfuls of mulch, especially when you're working in an area with tender new plants. Now, you can skip this tedious part by covering plants with plastic pots before pouring out and spreading the mulch quickly. At the same time, you're protecting the plants and no longer needing to brush wayward mulch out of leaves. 

If your plant is too tall to fit beneath a pot, there's a hack for you too. Find a pot that can fit around the diameter of the plant, cut out the bottom, and then add a slit down one side of the pot. Now you have a "collar" to fit around the plant that still protects its base from mulch.

When mulching, it's important to remember that it shouldn't be placed right up against the crown of the plant. The purpose of mulch is to retain moisture, suppress weeds, protect against soil erosion, and more, but placement makes a difference in its effectiveness. Piling mulch up too closely and densely to the plant can trap moisture and lead to rotting or create a breeding ground for pests and diseases. Covering a plant with a pot automatically clears out a wide ring around its crown. Put mulch down outside of this area. Then, you can look for tips on how to keep mulch in place. 

The most ideal time to mulch is during the spring, to keep the soil cool during warmer days or protect it from excessive rain, depending on your climate. Mulching is also one of the best ways to keep weeds out of your flower beds. The mulch hinders weed seeds from easily taking hold in the soil. If weeds do grow, their roots are much easier to pull from mulch than from dirt. Mulching again in the fall serves the same purpose as in the spring but with the added role of keeping plants warm during cold spells and retaining moisture during dry winters.