5. Coffee Grounds to Enrich Soil & Repel Pests
Used coffee grounds can enrich your garden soil with nitrogen while repelling slugs, snails, and cats. Just scatter them around plants or mix into compost.
6. Banana Peels for Rose Bushes
Bury banana peels near the base of roses to naturally boost potassium and phosphorus, promoting fuller blooms and healthy growth.
7. Cornmeal to Stop Weeds Before They Start
Sprinkle cornmeal gluten around garden beds—it acts as a natural pre-emergent herbicide, stopping seeds from sprouting. Use only around established plants.
8. Dish Soap Spray for Aphids & Soft-Bodied Insects
Mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap in a spray bottle with water. Spray on leaves to kill aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. It suffocates pests without harming plants.
9. Molasses for Lawn Health
Add a tablespoon of molasses to a gallon of water and spray your lawn. It feeds beneficial microbes in the soil and can deter pests like fire ants.
10. Vodka to Kill Weeds in the Sun
Believe it or not, vodka works similarly to vinegar. Mix 1 oz vodka with 2 cups water and a few drops of dish soap. Spray on weeds during sunny days—the alcohol dehydrates the plants fast.
Final Thoughts: Your Pantry = Backyard Goldmine
Nature gives us plenty of tools to care for our gardens without synthetic chemicals. From vinegar’s weed-killing power to baking soda’s ability to prevent growth in cracks, these pantry items are simple, safe, and effective.
Try a few of these DIY fixes and watch your backyard thank you—with fewer weeds, fewer pests, and more lush greenery.
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