Article submitted by Anne, free seeds on their way.

Before splashing out on equipment at the garden centre see what you have at hand to reuse or recycle in the garden. This frees up cash for the all important seeds and plants.

1. Clear plastic lidded containers make mini greenhouses to raise young seedlings. Egg cartons provide individual cells for planting tomato seeds avoiding root disturbance when seedlings are potted on into yogurt or cream tubs. Clear trays used for joints of meat create glasshouse roofs for seed trays made from shallower containers.
2. Save plastic or natural corks and use as drainage at the bottom of patio pots.
3. Runner beans are thirsty beings. A layer of damp newspaper in the bottom of the sowing trench or patio pot helps retain moisture around the roots.
4. For a soft, strong material to tie plants to supports cut the top and toes from old tights and cut in strips diagonally round the legs.
5. When cutting back shrubs compost the leaves keeping straight strong branches to use as natural plant supports. Buddleia is ideal for this.
6. To protect the eyes from sharp ends on plant supports upend 35mm film cartridge cases or small yogurt drink containers over the points.
7. A defunct ball point or felt tip pen makes an ideal dibber for making holes for seedlings.
8. Plastic drinks bottles have numerous uses. Remove the base and place bottle over young plants as protection. A similar bottle could be placed over a perennial weed, ensuring all other plants are excluded, and weed killer sprayed through the neck targeting only the weed. When planting shrubs or bare rooted trees invert a bottle, base removed, alongside. Use when watering to target water direct to the roots where it is needed.
9. Wooden ice lolly sticks make good marker labels especially if a permanent marker is used for writing.
10. Crushed washed egg shells around vulnerable plants such as runner beans help deter slugs and snails that dislike crossing rough surfaces.