Cheap Reusable Plant Labels

I have had a difficult time finding inexpensive plant labels in mainstream stores.  Here are some plant markers that are available online and are eligible for free shipping.  You can write on them with a pencil, and then erase and reuse them.    

Luster Leaf Rapiclip 6-Inch Garden Plant Labels - 50 Pack 840 ($4.74 + Eligible for Amazon Free Shipping)

Jump Start Reusable Plant Markers 50 Ct. ($4.95 + Free Shipping)

Smart Hanging Basket Liners

Photo: AquaSav Basket Liner  

If you are tired of constantly watering your hanging basket plants, consider updating your liners with AquaSav's baket liners.  These liners require 50% less watering than standard basket liners.  A layer of 100% recycled post-consumer plastic liner is sandwiched between natural coir fiber.  The replacement liners are inexpensive, and come in various sizes.  Alternatively, you can line the bottom of an ordinary basket liner with pond plastic or even an inexpensive plastic bowl.

Disinfecting and Reusing Old Planters

I save my transplant packs and plastic pots for future use.  Many of us do.  They are stackable, reusable, take up a small amount of space, and saves us money in our gardening budget.  However, when reusing old planters, I want to remind you to disinfect them prior to planting new seedlings.  If you do not, you may accidentally pass off disease to your new seedlings.

You can easily sanitize your pots by swirling them or dipping them in a disinfectant solution.  I use a 1:10 ratio of bleach to water solution.

How To Disinfect Old Planters

Materials

• dishwashing gloves or rubber gloves 
• shallow tub
• sponge or small plastic bristle brush
• dishwashing soap
• bleach
• water

Directions

1. Protection. Put on your gloves.
2. Scrub pots.  Scrub away dirt and crusted debris with a little soap, water and sponge or plastic bristle brush.  Empty out your tub.  
3. Make Disinfectant Solution.  Pour 9 parts water into a shallow tub, and then mix in 1 part bleach into the water.       
4. Disinfect Planters.  Sanitize your planters by swirling the planters in the disinfectant solution.  You can also use your sponge to get hard-to-reach areas.  
5. Rinse and Dry.  Rinse your pots with clean water and allow them to dry.  Now you are ready to plant your new seeds!