A gardening expert has shared a ‘genius’ hack using washing up sponges to help plants thrive – and it’s something you should be doing before the end of July
Gardening can be a bit of a head-scratcher, especially when it comes to keeping your greenery in tip-top shape.
With summer in full swing, those garden blooms need extra TLC, and believe it or not, an everyday dishwashing sponge could be your secret weapon. A gardening buff from the YouTube channel Simple and Fast has dropped a golden nugget of advice, telling followers to “never” chuck out old washing up sponges because they’re “worth pure gold on your plants”.
The green-fingered guru lamented that every time we bin these sponges, we’re tossing away a mighty friend for our foliage, gardens, and pots. For those looking to give their plants a boost, the expert suggests getting this hack done before July wraps up so your plants can flourish come August and throughout the rest of the sunny season.
Kick things off by soaking the sponge in water with just a “little bit of soap” for an hour, reports the Express. The gardening ace explained: “These sponges are incredibly useful for all kinds of plants.” Then, grab some scissors and snip the sponge into tiny bits. The gardening whiz continued: “Once we have all our sponge cut, we are going to start using it to benefit the soil of our pots and plants.”
Work those sponge snippets into your plant pot’s earth. The gardening aficionado shared: “What happens is that they have already begun to absorb the nutrients from the soil itself and the moisture from the soil that I have added to the bucket.” The gardening expert shared that sponges can help keep plants moist for longer periods.
They explained that this method is ideal for plants that dry out quickly, or if you’re going away and want to ensure your plants remain well-watered. The gardening guru even suggests that the fertiliser will last much longer as the sponge gradually releases it. They added: “We will not have to worry because the earth will always have the right amount of moisture and adequate water and that’s thanks to the sponge.”
The sponges serve as a water reservoir, nourishing your plant, until they decompose over time, turning into plant food. Simple and Fast has amassed over 526,000 subscribers, with thousands regularly tuning in to watch their life hacks. This particular video has garnered over 21,000 likes and more than three million views.
Over a thousand viewers also flocked to the comments section to share their thoughts. One wrote: “I love tips like this, have always been a recycle nut.” Another chimed in: “Genius idea! Why on earth didn’t I know this before?” However, some expressed concerns about the advice, especially for edible plants. One cautioned: “I would be very careful not to use this in anything you plan to eat, like herbs and things because of the plastic from the sponges getting into the food.
“That’s usually why people grow their veg/fruit/herbs is to avoid the nasties like microplastics and pesticides. But it looks like a good idea for normal plants. I think it works well for drainage, as well as stopping the soil coming out the holes in the bottom of the pot.” Others shared their green-fingered tips too.
One wrote: “A trick I use when potting a plant is to use the original pot to make a space in the new pot. Put a layer of soil in the new pot. Take the plant and root ball out of the original pot. Place the old pot inside the new pot and fill it with soil. Take out the old pot and you now have a perfect space to replant the root ball, after a bit of teasing. Firm in the plant and water.”
