People share 15 bizarre backyard hacks they swear assist vegetation develop

A survey of 2,000 adults has unveiled some unconventional tactics gardeners employ to boost their plant growth, including tossing used teabags onto the soil. Other unusual gardening hacks include setting beer traps for slugs, using fireplace ash as fertiliser, and watering plants with potato water.

The typical gardener devotes three hours a week to their outdoor space, drawing inspiration from TV shows, social media, and gaming.

Sabrina Carmona, VP of Farm Heroes Saga at King, the mobile game developer behind the farm-inspired, match 3 puzzle game, commented: “The research has revealed some weird and wonderful ways people tend to their gardens. It’s been interesting to discover some of these and understand why tending to gardens has become such a popular pastime.”

“But for those who don’t have access to outdoor space, or who might not have the time to garden, you can still get your nurturing hit from a mobile game. You’ll hopefully get that same sense of enjoyment, escapism and reward by tending to virtual cropsies as you would real ones.”

The study discovered that 66% of those who garden do so for the satisfaction they derive from seeing results. Meanwhile, 47% say it provides them with a place to escape, and 45% enjoy the nurturing aspect.

More than four in 10 Brits (42%) find joy in watering plants, while 31% get a kick out of mowing the grass and 35% love harvesting their own fruit and veg. Tomatoes, strawberries, and potatoes are the top three most popular produce to grow, with 27% aiming to save money by this method.

The overall gardening goals include improving mental wellbeing (47%), helping the environment (40%), and learning new skills (25%). However, nearly half (49%) wish they could spend more time in their green space than they currently do.

It emerged that a whopping 95% agree it is important to find time for the things you enjoy, with lack of time cited as the main reason why 54% don’t garden as much as they would like to.

The study, conducted via OnePoll.com, also found that over half (54%) would rather go to a garden centre than a nightclub. And a massive 72% believe gardening is an activity that all ages can enjoy not just for older people.

Sabrina Carmona added: “Gardening is such a versatile and rewarding hobby that can be tailored to suit your lifestyle and space and can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities. This inclusivity is something that’s demonstrated in the research and is also a foundational element of our game development.

“Whatever your background, age or circumstance, it’s so important to find moments of fun and enjoyment within our busy schedules. Gardening – whether that’s physically or virtually through a puzzle game – can bring countless benefits, from providing much needed moments of escapism, a sense of achievement or helping to learn a new skill.”

Here are the top 15 unusual hacks to help your garden grow:

1. Using eggshells as fertiliser.
2. Using used coffee grounds as a fertiliser.
3. Growing new fruit/vegetables from leftover vegetable roots/seeds.
4. Throwing used teabags onto the soil.
5. Using banana peels as fertiliser.
6. Talking to my plants.
7. Making beer traps for slugs.
8. Using ash from the fireplace as fertiliser.
9. Using potato water to water plants.
10. Sprinkling cayenne pepper to ward off pests.
11. Using bones as a fertiliser.
12. Singing to my plants.
13. Sprinkling cinnamon on the ground to deter cats.
14. Destroying fungus with cinnamon.
15. ‘Planting’ plastic forks to keep animals away.