A leading gardening expert has issued a compelling call to action, urging households across the UK to stop discarding cardboard packaging and instead embrace a remarkably simple and environmentally beneficial alternative. This innovative approach not only diverts waste from bins and recycling centres but also provides gardeners with a cost-effective solution for nurturing their plants.
The Problem with Packaging and a Professional's Solution
With the relentless rise of online shopping, cardboard has become an ubiquitous material in British homes, typically used once before being thrown away. Simon Akeroyd, a Sunday Times bestselling author and gardening guru with over a quarter-century of professional horticulture experience, has identified this as a significant waste stream and championed a clever method to repurpose it.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Free Biodegradable Planters
In a detailed tutorial shared on the social media platform TikTok, Simon Akeroyd meticulously demonstrates the transformation process. The technique begins by fully submerging the cardboard in water until it becomes thoroughly saturated and pliable. This malleable material is then carefully moulded around common household items such as empty glass jars or metal tins.
The base is then "scrunched" to form a stable container shape. After allowing the cardboard to dry completely, it retains its new pot-like form and can be separated from the jar or tin to stand independently. Text overlays in the video clarify the subsequent steps: "You now have free biodegradable flower pots. Pop your seed into some compost and once it has germinated, you can plant your seedlings and pot directly into the soil."
Key Environmental and Practical Benefits
The primary advantage of this method lies in its sustainability. The cardboard planter will naturally decompose when planted directly into garden soil, eliminating the need to disturb delicate seedling roots during transplantation. This promotes healthier plant growth and reduces plastic pot usage. Simon elaborated on the broader appeal in his social media caption, noting it is a wonderful eco-friendly way to use up excess online, or cardboard packaging and a great project for school gardening clubs or community gardens.
The concept has been warmly received, with one enthusiastic follower praising Simon's ingenuity online. This cardboard planter hack is featured among one hundred innovative tips in Simon's latest publication, Way to Grow, which is scheduled for release on April 9th. The book promises to help gardeners of all skill levels save time and money while enjoying their hobby.
Further Sustainable Gardening Insights from 'Way to Grow'
Beyond cardboard repurposing, the forthcoming book is packed with creative and economical gardening strategies. It includes guidance on reusing household items like coffee grounds and old tights, crafting DIY watering systems using string, converting milk bottles into watering cans, and utilising banana peels as plant fertiliser.
For those tackling common garden pests, it reveals natural deterrents such as sheep's wool to combat slugs. It also provides inventive growing techniques, like constructing potato towers from chicken wire and cultivating cacti from supermarket fruit, offering a treasure trove of knowledge for both novice and experienced horticulture enthusiasts seeking more sustainable practices.
