Old sponges, don’t throw them away: “they’re worth gold” | I always use them like this in the garden

Do you have old kitchen sponges and think they are no longer useful? Think again! These little wonders can work wonders for your plants. Yes, you read that right! And what’s more, it’s a great way to recycle. 🌿

“The best ideas are often the simplest.”

Step by step to recycle your sponges
Preparing and disinfecting used sponges
Here’s how to do it:

Washing and disinfecting:
Wash the sponge in hot water: This will remove dirt and food debris.
Disinfect it with vinegar or baking soda:
Vinegar: Fill a container with vinegar and soak the sponge for 24 hours.
Baking soda: Mix baking soda with water to form a solution, and soak the sponge for 24 hours.

Alternative: You can also use bleach to disinfect the sponge, but vinegar and baking soda are gentler on the environment.
Cutting:

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Squeeze out any accumulated water from the sponge: Make sure the sponge is completely dry after disinfecting.
Cut small pieces of sponge with scissors: The pieces should be small enough to easily mix with the soil.
By following these steps, you are preparing your used sponges for efficient and environmentally friendly reuse in your garden.

Mixing the sponge pieces with the soil
Next, follow these steps:

Preparing the mixture:
In a bag:
Add the desired amount of soil to a large bag or container.
Mix it all together:
Incorporate the cut sponge pieces into the soil. Mix well to ensure that the sponges are evenly distributed throughout the soil.
Using in pots:
Add a little soil:
Place a layer of soil in the bottom of the pot.
Add a layer of your new mix:
Add a layer of your soil-sponge mix on top of the first layer of soil.
Repeat as needed to fill the pot, alternating layers of soil and soil-sponge mix.
This process maximizes the benefits of the sponges in the soil, improving moisture retention and aeration, while ensuring a healthy environment for your plants’ roots.

Benefits of Using Sponges in Gardening
Retain Soil Moisture
Sponges help the soil to accumulate enough moisture without affecting plant development. 🌱 They act as water reservoirs, absorbing excess moisture and gradually releasing it as the soil dries out. This helps maintain a constant moisture level, which is crucial for healthy plant growth, especially during drought.

Protect Roots
Sponges provide additional protection to roots, helping them grow stronger and healthier. By creating a stable and well-ventilated environment, sponges reduce stress on roots, facilitating their development. In addition, sponges prevent roots from rotting by preventing excessive accumulation of water, while providing a protective barrier against temperature fluctuations and physical shocks.