Looking to grow different houseplants with some out-of-the-box tips? From using diapers to help retain moisture in pots to recycling coffee grounds as natural fertilizers, these unconventional techniques can make a real difference in plant health and maintenance.
Whether you’re aiming to save time, boost growth, or work sustainably, these methods are proven by garden experts to yield impressive results. These expert tips will help you discover surprising tricks that are easy to try and can transform your gardening game!
Experts Tips for Unconventional Gardening Success
Discover unique and practical gardening tricks shared by experts. From using household items to simple techniques, these unconventional methods can help you maintain a healthier, thriving garden.
Use Diapers for Moisture Retention
Using diapers in the bottom of potted plants to retain moisture. Sounds weird, huh? But here’s why: the absorbent fiber in disposable diapers can hold a lot of water and is then gradually expunged so that the soil stays wet longer. This can come in particularly handy on warmer days where water evaporates quickly or you’re not around to water often.
We’re also always trying to find the odd and new tricks of the trade to assist clients in keeping their homes and gardens tidy. This diaper trick is certainly conversation-starting, but it also reveals a clever method of reducing watering so plants never get too dry. This is a simple hack, particularly useful for time-poor homeowners who prefer the lush foliage but don’t have time to keep it up. This is a method that will amaze you with its creativity but it will produce true, tangible results and will quickly become one of our customer’s favorite suggestions for their gardening needs.

Gavin Bent, Marketing Executive, Ponds By Michael Wheat
Self-Water With a Dish
One gardening tip that many homeowners don’t know about, that is highly successful, especially for container outdoor or indoor plants, is a watering dish/bowl. Get a shallow dish or bowl, fill it with water, and place your plants on it. Make sure the container has drainage holes in it, as most do. If you go on vacation or ease up on watering your plants, they will self-sustain by pulling the moisture from the dish or bowl of water to the roots. It’s a fantastic idea for those who want pretty plants and have busy lives.

Tammy Sons, Founder/CEO, TN Nursery
Fertilize With Coffee Grounds
One unconventional tip I’ve found is using coffee grounds as fertilizer for acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries. The acidity in used coffee grounds provides nitrogen and helps balance the pH. After brewing coffee at home, I started collecting the wet grounds and spreading them around the base of my azaleas. Within weeks, the leaves turned a lush green and new growth exploded. The grounds also improved the soil structure and water retention.
A surprising pest-control method I’ve found effective is planting mint, catnip, chives, and lavender as companion plants. The strong fragrances naturally repel aphids, mosquitoes, rodents, and even deer. I’ve installed these aromatic plants around the edges of customers’ yards, and the pest problems decreased dramatically without the use of harsh chemicals. The pollinators attracted to the flowers were an added benefit.
One of my biggest lessons has been learning that slowing down and being patient creates the best results. Many new gardeners and homeowners want instant change and become frustrated when nature doesn’t cooperate. I’ve found that taking time to prepare the soil, choosing plants suited to the location, and allowing them to establish at their own pace leads to healthier, longer-lasting gardens. Focusing on the journey rather than the destination is the philosophy I impart to my staff and customers. Nature has a way of rewarding those who allow it to unfold in its own time.

Josh Payne, Owner, Classic Landscape
Fertilize With Banana Peels
One of the most surprising gardening tips I’ve come across during my 10-plus years as a florist is using banana peels as a natural fertilizer. It sounds unconventional, but banana peels are rich in potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, which are essential nutrients for plants. Instead of throwing them away, I chop the peels into small pieces and bury them in the soil around my plants. They break down quickly, enriching the soil and helping plants, particularly flowering ones, to grow stronger and bloom more vibrantly.
When I first tried this, I was amazed at how much healthier my roses and dahlias looked. Their colors were more vibrant, and they bloomed for a longer period. The best part is it’s an all-natural, cost-free solution that reduces waste and benefits the garden at the same time. You can even soak the banana peels in water to create a liquid fertilizer, which works wonders for houseplants too.
For anyone looking to try this, I recommend using banana peels in moderation. Too much organic matter can attract pests, so be sure to mix them well into the soil. It’s a small, simple trick that can have a big impact on your garden’s health!

Sophie Marasco, Founder, Thanks A Bunch Florist
Boost Yields With Tree-Pruning Techniques
The most unconventional, yet effective gardening tip I’ve discovered is using tree-pruning techniques to boost vegetable yields. As an arborist, I’ve found that applying the principle of directional pruning—typically used to shape trees—can significantly increase tomato and pepper production. By selectively removing leaves and branches to optimize sunlight exposure and air circulation, much like we do with fruit trees, I’ve seen a 30% increase in fruit set and overall yield.
This method also reduces the risk of fungal diseases, a common problem in dense vegetable patches. The key is to prune early in the season, focusing on removing leaves from the lower third of the plant and any crossing or inward-growing branches. It’s counterintuitive to remove healthy growth, but this strategic pruning allows the plant to direct more energy into fruit production rather than maintaining excess foliage. I’ve even applied this technique to climbing beans and cucumbers with remarkable success, proving that sometimes, the wisdom of trees can revolutionize our approach to vegetable gardening.

Ben McInerney, Founder, GoTreeQuotes
Recycle Coffee Grounds for Fertilizer
One surprising gardening tip I have found is using coffee grounds as a natural fertilizer and pest repellent. They add valuable nutrients, like nitrogen, to the soil, promoting healthier plant growth and also help keep slugs and snails away. Additionally, coffee grounds can improve soil structure by boosting drainage and water retention. It is an easy, eco-friendly way to recycle something most of us have at home. Just be careful not to overuse them, as too much acidity can harm some plants.

Amaury Ponce, Business Owner, Ponce Tree Services
Compost Grass Clippings and Leaves
As a landscaper, I’ve found that composting grass clippings and leaves to create homemade compost works wonders as a natural fertilizer. Instead of bagging up yard waste for disposal, we encourage homeowners to start their own compost pile. Within months, bacteria break down the clippings and leaves into rich, fluffy compost that feeds plants and improves soil structure. We’ve seen lawns become greener, shrubs produce more flowers, and gardens yield bigger harvests after applying compost. Best of all, it’s free and sustainable.
Another unconventional tip is using newspaper to control weeds. We place wet newspapers over the entire area of a newly installed garden bed or around the base of shrubs before applying mulch. As the papers decompose, they block light from reaching weeds. By the time the newspaper fully breaks down, plants have rooted well enough to outcompete most weeds. This organic method eliminates the need for chemical weed killers.
One of the most surprising pest solutions is installing birdhouses and bird feeders in yards and gardens. The more birds, the fewer pests. Birds devour thousands of harmful insects, grubs, and other garden villains. We’ve installed bird-friendly habitats for clients and seen birds quickly move in and get to work controlling pests in a natural, cost-effective way. The birds also provide entertainment, beauty, and a vibrant ecosystem.

Joe Dogherty, Owner, D&G Landscaping
Mulch and Amend Soil With Leaves
One of the most unconventional gardening tips I’ve discovered is to incorporate leaves from around the yard into our gardening practices. This simple-yet-effective technique has significantly boosted not only our plants’ health and vitality, but our soil as well. By using leaves as not only a natural mulch, but as a soil amendment, we improve soil moisture retention and enrich the soil as they decompose, providing essential nutrients. This sustainable approach has fostered a thriving garden ecosystem, promoting healthier plants while reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. As a result, our garden has truly flourished!

Lisa Frahm, CEO, Prairie Hill Flower Co. – European-Style Florist & Flower Farm
Train Plants for Drought Tolerance
Neglect your plants to train them for drought tolerance.
Many plants, even ones we don’t consider to be drought-tolerant, can be trained to need less water. Simply water them only when they ask for it. This will encourage deep root growth and, over time, will produce a plant that can survive longer periods of time with less water.
Here in Portland, we have wet winters and springs but very dry summers. There are mature azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias that can go all summer with no supplemental water! That should be the goal: to help your garden mature into something that is resilient and water-wise.
I have found that this approach works best with broadleaf shrubs and trees, but not as well with conifers and perennials. Conifers don’t give advance warning; they simply start browning and then die before you can save them. And most perennials don’t have as much potential for deep root growth, so they will need more regular watering.

Ben Bowen, Landscape Designer / Owner, Ross NW Watergardens
Other Non-Traditional Gardening Tips You Can Apply

We’ve heard from the experts, but here’s what other garden-loving homeowners have discovered to improve their gardens with non-traditional methods. Consider trying out these additional tips!
1. Cayenne Pepper for Pest Control
- What to Do – Sprinkle cayenne pepper around your garden to keep pests like rabbits and deer away.
- How It Works – The capsaicin in cayenne irritates animals’ mouths, discouraging them from eating your plants.
- Limitations – Cayenne may not deter all pests. Some animals or insects may get used to the smell or taste over time.
2. Use Packing Peanuts in Pots
- What to Do – Mix packing peanuts into the soil of container plants to make them lighter and improve drainage.
- How It Works – Packing peanuts prevent soil compaction and make pots easier to move.
- Limitations – If too compacted, peanuts can block water flow instead of helping drainage.
3. DIY Vinegar Weed Killer
- What to Do – Mix vinegar, salt, and dish soap to create a natural weed killer.
- How It Works – The vinegar dries out weeds, while the salt keeps them from growing back.
- Limitations – Vinegar only affects the leaves, so perennial weeds may regrow from the roots. Multiple applications are often needed.
4. Protect Plants With Milk Jugs
- What to Do – Cut the bottoms off milk jugs and place them over young plants to keep them warm.
- How It Works – Milk jugs trap heat and moisture, acting as small greenhouses.
- Limitations – Milk jugs may not withstand heavy snow or strong winds and can become brittle in freezing weather.
5. Chamomile Tea for Seedlings
- What to Do – Spray diluted chamomile tea on seedlings to prevent damping-off disease.
- How It Works – Chamomile’s natural anti-fungal properties protect young plants from fungal infections.
- Limitations – Chamomile’s effectiveness may vary with different pathogens in the soil.
6. Warm Seedlings With Stones
- What to Do – Place stones around seedlings to capture heat during the day and release it at night.
- How It Works – Stones keep the area around plants warm, promoting growth in cooler temperatures.
- Limitations – In hot weather, stones can absorb too much heat and potentially damage seedlings.
7. Grow Bag Gardening
- What to Do – Use grow bags instead of pots for vegetables and flowers.
- How It Works – Grow bags improve drainage and air flow, reducing root rot risks. They’re also lightweight and portable.
- Limitations – Grow bags dry out quickly, requiring more frequent watering than regular pots.
8. Winter Sowing for Early Seed Starting
- What to Do – Start seeds in clear plastic containers outside during winter to create a greenhouse effect.
- How It Works – Natural temperature changes help seeds germinate when conditions are right.
- Limitations – Extreme cold or sudden frosts can harm seeds before they sprout.
9. Eggshells for Calcium
- What to Do – Crush eggshells and mix them into the soil or sprinkle them around plants like tomatoes to add calcium.
- How It Works – Eggshells break down slowly, releasing calcium over time, which helps prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers.
- Limitations – Eggshells take time to decompose and release calcium, so they won’t help plants with immediate calcium deficiencies.
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