32 cheapskate handy hints for the outdoors

Are you eager to get your plants in the ground? Cut the bottoms out of large containers and set them over new and fragile plants to protect them from bugs or frost.

Here are 31 more yard tool hacks to make your life easier.

When trimming hedges, use a plastic kiddie pool to catch clippings, kicking it along as you clip. The clippings fall into the pool, making clean-up a snap. When you’re done trimming, dump the clippings into your mulch pile. – Matthew Steffano

Follow our guide on how to prune trees and shrubs.

Here’s an easy way to turn any hose into a drip-watering hose. Drill 3mm holes every 50mm and screw a cap the end. Weave the hose around your plants and turn on the spigot. You’ll have to do some testing to figure out the right setting. To make watering even easier, I added a programmable tap timer to the hose. – Matt Boley

It seemed any time I’d mix something in my garden sprayer, I’d have some leftover, but I’d always forget what was in the bottles. So, I bought a set of key labels and marked them up with the sprays I used. Now, when I mix one of these chemicals in my garden sprayer, I clip on the appropriate key label. I keep the rest on my pegboard, so I can easily switch them out when I mix something different. – David Watermeier

Learn how to make organic aphid spray.

I lost my hedge trimmer’s blade sheath, so I had to get creative to safely store the tool. A piece of foam pipe insulation was just right. I cut two 12mm foam tubes to the length of the hedge trimmer blade. The tubes are slit down their length, so they slide easily over the blades. Three metre-long bungee cords hold them in place. – Thomas Curran

Find out how to plant a hedge.

You know those plant tags you save to reference later, but aren’t exactly sure what to do with? To keep them organised, punch holes in the tags and slide them onto a key ring.

Follow this guide on how to plant spring-flowering bulbs.

Keep bugs from swimming in your drinks by topping glasses with baking cup liners. Cut a small X into the centre of each liner, poke a (reusable or paper) straw through the hole and enjoy your beverage pest-free.

For healthy plants, it’s important to get water to the roots. Here’s my method: I drill holes in water bottles and bury them alongside my plants, leaving just the cap above the ground. To water the plants, I unscrew the bottles’ caps, fill the bottles and screw the caps back on. It requires some extra effort, but it conserves water, and my plants – especially the tomatoes – are thriving like never before. – Diane Newman

After 20 years of fishing, I’ve accumulated a few extra tackle boxes. Instead of throwing them away or just piling them in the garage, I fill them with toiletries, first-aid supplies and other camping and fishing gear. Tackle boxes keep these odds and ends organised and easy to pack. – Matt Boley