If you have a garden, you can use many unnecessary things from the household there. From leftover food to toilet paper rolls and PET bottles – what we no longer need at home can find a practical use outdoors. Today we'll give you some useful tips on what you can do with an old toothbrush in the garden.
Toothbrushes need to be changed every three months. That's about 4 brushes per person that end up in the trash every year. However, that doesn't have to be the case! As the gardening season begins again, we offer you 10 really practical uses for those worn out toothbrushes in the garden.
Use toothbrushes in the garden as plant signs
Why should you buy special plant signs when there are in the householdso many great alternativesgives? Bamboo toothbrushes, for example, are perfect for this purpose. The material is biodegradable and will decompose over time without harming the environment.
To make plant signs out of toothbrushes, first remove the bristles with pliers. The handles can be labeled with permanent marker. You can then coat the brushes with a weatherproof varnish so that they last longer. They are then ready to mark your cultivation in the garden bed or flower pot.
Apply soapy water against pests
If your plants are infested with a pest, good old soft soap can help. To apply the soapy water to the affected plant, you can use an old toothbrush instead of a spray bottle. This allows for precise treatment and allows you to remove the majority of pests. Simply dip the brush into the prepared soap solution and brush the leaves thoroughly. Be sure to throw away the toothbrush you use after use or at least disinfect it well so that the infestation is not spread to another plant.
Pollinate plants by hand
For an early harvest, many plant tomatoes, peppers and eggplants in the greenhouse. Since pollinators have limited access there, it can be advantageous if you pollinate the plants yourself by hand. An old toothbrush can help with this. This is how it works:
- Using an electric toothbrush: Hold the brush head above the flower, turn the brush on to the lowest setting and gently press the back against the petals for 3-4 seconds. This loosens the pollen so that it falls onto the so-called stigma, which ultimately fertilizes the flower.
- With a manual toothbrush: Hold the brush head against the flower and rotate the brush between your fingers. If necessary, you can gently tap the petals to loosen the pollen.
Remove moss and lichens
Moss and lichens are found in moist, shady environments and often form between paving stones or walls. They aren't necessarily harmful to the garden, but they're still not always a pretty sight. To remove them, spray the affected area with baking soda and water and then allow the mixture to dry for a few days. Once dry, use a regular scrub brush to remove the large pieces and then a toothbrush to clean the deep cracks and grooves.
Separate plant roots
If you divide or repot some plants, the old toothbrush can be helpful again. For example, if the plant has root rot or the root system has been damaged in some way, the roots are often very tangled, making the task more difficult. To separate them safely, remove the plant from the soil and gently shake it to loosen the dirt. Then use the bristles of the toothbrush to dislodge any compacted areas. Once you've cleaned an area, use the other end of the brush to gently untangle the roots.
Make holes for seeds
The sowing of many vegetable plants will soon begin. You can use the handle of the old toothbrush to make perfect holes for seeds. Simply pierce the handle into the soil and then place the seed in it. Another advantage: your fingers stay clean.
Clean the bird feeder
Bird feeders can attract disease and bacteria and need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly. With an old toothbrush you can also clean the hard-to-reach areas and effectively remove any bird food residue. The same applies here: throw away the brush after cleaning.
Clean garden tools
You have to do this for a healthy gardenAlways keep garden tools in top condition. Garden shears, hoes, hand shovels, rakes and bulb planters have screws and crevices that collect a lot of dirt. You can clean your tools perfectly with a little warm soapy water and your old toothbrush.
Support limp plants
If you're dealing with a limp plant, you can save it by supporting the stems with toothbrushes. Although this is not an aesthetic solution, it is a very practical solution. Simply insert the end of the brush into the soil next to the hanging shoot and tie the plant to the brush with string or tape. This way the stem will not break. When the plant grows upright again and is strong enough, you can remove the toothbrush.
Bonus tip for bamboo toothbrushes
You can compost the ecological toothbrushes made of bamboo! They decompose in about 3 to 4 months. Before putting the toothbrush in the compost, you must remove the nylon bristles with pliers and dispose of them in the plastic bin. Then the bamboo handle is ready to decompose on your compost pile.
