Many households go through at least 1 gallon of milk per week. Next time don’t throw them away, because you can re-purpose them! Milk jugs are perfect gardening tools and accessories.
The plastic used for these jugs is thick and sturdy, therefore, you can use them for many purposes — from shovels to pots. Moreover, they are easy enough to paint and spruce up. So, if you do want to make them look better it’s super simple.
Check out our list below to jump-start your next project.
Watering jug
Instead of tossing out that milk jug, next time use it as a watering jug. Just poke some holes in the top, fill it with water and you’re ready to go.
Milk jug feeder
Re-purpose that old milk jug and simply turn it into a bird feeder. This is a great and easy project and one you can get the kids involved in, too. I personally love how my kids painted the openings of my milk jugs with different colors.
Milk jug planters
This is an amazing way to hang these planters right from a lattice because it spruces up this otherwise thrifty look. Once you complete this DIY, you can fill these jugs up with your favorite household herbs or pretty flowers.It will brighten up your yard perfectly.
Upcycled flower pots
This is another great project to get the kids involved in. You should paper mache the outside,then cover it with stickers or get creative with paint. By the time you’re done no one will even notice it used to be a milk jug.
Cut it into a shovel
Cut up and repurpose that old milk jug by turning it into a garden shovel or a sweep pan for the home.
And use the top as a shovel, too
After you cut off the side to make into a small garden shovel, you can make the top a big scoop for birdseed, mulch, sand, or something else you have lying around.
Cut pieces and use them to label your plants
If you’ve already used the jug for another project, don’t throw away the leftovers, but use it for this one. Just cut it into strips and grab a permanent marker and you’re ready to label all your gardens plants. Very simple!
Cut the bottom and use it as a hanging tomato planter
You’ve probably seen these hanging tomato plants before, so are you ready to make one yourself, instead of having to pay for it? Best yet, you can make it out of something you were going to throw away anyway. This DIY is quick, easy, and you will love the results.
Use them for this potting hack
This hack is one of the smartest ones. Next time you have one of those big pots to fill, stuff the bottom with milk jugs. This way, planter is filled with only enough soil for the plant.
For a mini-greenhouse
When you first plant a seedling, they need a little help along the way. Next time this happens, cut off the bottom of a milk jug and use it to make a little greenhouse over your plant. It will keep it nice and warm.