5 Old School Gardening Hacks That Still Work Today

1. Banana Peel Fertilizer for Flowering Plants

Banana peels are a slow-release powerhouse of nutrients—especially potassium and phosphorus—which makes them great for feeding roses, tomatoes, and pepper plants. Instead of tossing them in the trash, your plants can snack on them too.

Why it works: As the peels break down, they enrich the soil with potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, all of which are key for flowering and fruiting. They also attract beneficial microbes and worms that help improve soil health.

How to do it:

• Chop the banana peel into small pieces to speed up breakdown.
• Bury the pieces 2–3 inches deep around the base of your plant.
• Water normally and let nature do the rest.

💡 Tip: Don’t leave the peel on top of the soil—it can attract pests. Always bury it.

2. Muffin Tin for Seed Spacing

Tired of overcrowded seedlings? A metal muffin tin is the perfect spacing guide when planting seeds in a raised bed or container. It’s fast, even, and easy enough for kids to help with.

Why it works: Muffin tins have consistent spacing, so pressing them into the soil makes uniform indentations, which are perfect for planting lettuce, herbs, or carrots.

How to do it:

• Press a clean muffin tin firmly into soft soil to make a grid of indentations.
• Remove the tin and drop a seed into each imprint.
• Cover with soil, water gently, and watch them grow.

💡 Tip: You can use different tin sizes to space seeds for small or large plants.

3. Laundry Basket for Growing Potatoes

If you’ve never tried growing potatoes in a laundry basket, you're missing out. It’s breathable, space-saving, and makes harvest time almost too easy.

Why it works: The holes in a plastic laundry basket allow for good drainage and airflow, and the tall sides make it easy to hill up soil as the plants grow—key for a big potato harvest.

How to do it:

• Line the bottom with newspaper or straw.
• Add a few inches of soil and plant your seed potatoes.
• As the plants grow, keep adding more soil or compost until the basket is full.
• When it’s time to harvest, just tip it over and collect your spuds.

💡 Tip: Choose a sunny spot and water regularly—potatoes love consistent moisture.

4. Baking Soda for Sweeter Tomatoes

A light sprinkle of baking soda around your tomato plants is one of those tricks old gardeners swear by. While the science isn’t strong, it's a harmless, easy experiment with anecdotal success.

Why it works: Baking soda reduces soil acidity slightly, which may lead to sweeter fruit in some varieties. It’s not a miracle hack, but it won’t hurt, and it might just help.

How to do it:

• Sprinkle 1–2 tablespoons of baking soda in a ring around the base of your tomato plant (not on the plant itself).
• Water gently to help it absorb into the soil.
• Repeat every 3–4 weeks if desired.

💡 Tip: Only do this in small amounts—too much can affect your soil balance.

5. Sand + Oil Bucket to Keep Tools Rust-Free

Want to keep your garden tools clean, sharp, and rust-free? A bucket of sand and oil is one of the best low-effort maintenance tricks out there.

Why it works: Sand keeps your tools clean by scouring off soil with each dip, while the oil prevents rust and keeps metal parts smooth. It’s like a mini spa for your trowels and pruners.

How to do it:

• Fill a small bucket with clean play sand.
• Mix in ½ cup of vegetable oil or linseed oil until the sand is lightly moistened.
• After using your tools, simply stab them into the sand a few times to clean and coat them.

💡 Tip: Store this bucket near your garden shed or back door to make it a habit.

These Old School Gardening Hacks Are Pure Gold

Some ideas stick around for a reason—and these five are the kind of tried-and-true garden hacks that get passed from one generation to the next. They’re cheap, clever, and make garden life a little easier.

Have you used one of these before? Got another old-school tip that always works for you? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to keep building a real gardener-approved list!