As the sun climbs higher and the days stretch out, our gardens become a vibrant tapestry of growth and colour. For others, tending to our little patches of earth isn't just a hobby; it's a source of joy and pride.

But what happens to our beloved plants when we take a well-deserved break or head off on a summer holiday?

Fear not, green-thumbed friends, because a clever gardener has shared a cost-effective trick to keep your plants hydrated without breaking the bank or burdening the neighbours.

The ingenious solution? Transforming everyday discarded materials into a self-watering, drip-irrigation system.

This is not just a win for your wallet and your plants but also for the planet, as it gives a second life to plastic bottles that might otherwise end up in landfills or our precious oceans.

A gardener shared his genius gardening trick, so you don't have to worry about your plants when you're on a holiday. Credit: @simonakeroydgardener / TikTok

Social media personality Simon Akeroyd demonstrated a simple yet effective method to ensure your plants receive a steady supply of water in your absence.

‘Recycled plastic bottle. Make a self-watering, drip-irrigation system to water your plants whilst you are away enjoying your holidays,’ the caption read.

The process involves taking a recycled plastic bottle and creating small holes near the bottom and in the lid.

Simon then cut a cotton bud (or Q-Tip) in half, placing one section in each hole.

The cotton acts as a regulator, allowing water to drip slowly and consistently into the soil, giving your plants the moisture they need to thrive. You can adjust the flow by easily tweaking the cotton bud in the lid.

This trick is particularly suited for smaller or medium-sized gardens, where installing a commercial irrigation system might be overkill or too costly.

However, the benefits of this DIY irrigation system extend beyond convenience and cost-saving. By repurposing plastic bottles, we're taking a small but significant step towards reducing the staggering 400 million tons of plastic waste humans generate yearly, as per Statista data.

With an estimated 1.9 million tons of this waste ending up in our oceans annually, every bottle we divert from this fate helps to lessen the burden on marine life and our ecosystem.

This trick is just one example of how we can make a difference.

Companies like ThredUp and Ecoplantia also do their part by offering sustainable alternatives in fashion and gardening, respectively.

ThredUp provides deals on secondhand clothing to combat waste in the fashion industry, while Ecoplantia offers biodegradable gardens that encourage the growth of native plants.

The response to this watering system trick has been overwhelmingly positive, with TikTok users expressing their excitement and gratitude.

'This is amazing!! Thank you for sharing,' commented one person.

‘Loving your content. You're giving thousands of people a newfound love of gardening,’ another said.

‘Literally was stressing because I have two trips this month, and my garden is thriving,’ commented another user.

‘First-year gardener, and I want it to succeed,’ a fourth added.

You can watch Simon’s video below:

Credit: @simonakeroydgardener / TikTok​

Whether novice or seasoned, gardeners face a common challenge: overwatering or underwatering plants.

In a previous story, a gardening enthusiast shared a simple trick for determining whether your plants need watering. Read more about her trick here.

Key Takeaways

• A gardener shared a cost-effective trick for creating a self-watering, drip irrigation system using a recycled plastic bottle.
• The process involves burning or cutting holes in the bottle and lid and placing cut cotton buds as makeshift faucets to control the water flow.
• This DIY irrigation system is not only affordable but also beneficial in reducing plastic waste and fostering sustainability in gardening.
• Social media users praised the trick, expressing excitement about its potential to help maintain their gardens during holidays or busy periods.

Have you tried this gardening trick? Or do you have other gardening tips to share? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Barbara V]

Did this year's ago when I had to go to UK for 6wks works well. I put 2 in each hanging basket. My dad did this with a milk bottle when we had chickens during the war, he wired the full bottle over a full bowl of water as the chickens drank the water would slowly refill the bowl

 

[Barbara V]

If you want to remember the names of your roses, cut up drink cans in 1in by 3in pieces. Old trick ,write on it in waterproof texter the snails can't eat the labels then

 

[Gsr]

If you want to remember the names of your roses, cut up drink cans in 1in by 3in pieces. Old trick ,write on it in waterproof texter the snails can't eat the labels then

Beware of the sharp edges though, unless you roll them.

 

[Gsr]

people have been doing this for yonks.

 

[Barbara V]

They sure have

 

[Barbara V]

Was told ages ago to mix cat litter wiith potting mix in hanging baskets stops them drying out so quickly. That works too

 

[Jest]

good lord, i was doing this 20 years ago.