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We have talked about so many gardening hacks over the years, including how to deter garden pests with soap and how to repel pests with marigolds. Once I realized how to use aluminum foil in the garden, I knew I had to share that too.
If you love to reduce, reuse and recycle, using aluminum foil in your garden is a wonderful way to do just that.
How does aluminum foil benefit your garden?
Aluminum foil can be used when starting your seedlings and can be beneficial to a fully mature garden as well.
Aluminum foil can help keep seedlings warm, it helps reflect heat to the plants, can help keep soil warm and moist, and can be used to deter pests.
One of the easiest ways to use aluminum foil in the garden is to let it do what it does naturally…reflect light and heat!
Is aluminum foil bad for plants?
Aluminum foil is not bad for plants. Foil offers a sort of climate control for the soil which is ultimately protecting the roots. Don’t be timid when it comes to trying out the benefits of using aluminum foil in your gardening.
How do you use aluminum foil in the garden?
Here are some of the best ways go utilize aluminum foil in the garden. As you can see, none of these examples are terribly difficult or time consuming.
1. Wrap seed starters with tinfoil to help keep the soil warm and help reinforce the container. This can be especially helpful if you use cardboard seed starters. They will be more durable this way.
2. Line cold frames with aluminum foil to help retain heat and reflect sunlight onto the entire plant.
3. Line a box with aluminum foil and place your seedlings in it. It will offer the same benefits as a cold frame, helping retain heat and light.
4. Line flower pots with aluminum foil to help retain heat and moisture. Make sure to add holes for drainage.
Does aluminum foil keep deer away?
One of my favorite ways to use aluminum foil in the garden is for pest control. Aluminum foil is durable, shiny, and can create an unpleasant texture. All things which are important to pest control.
Here are some tips for using aluminum foil in the garden for pest control:
– wrap aluminum foil around the trunks of young trees to prevent deer and other animals from nibbling.
– balls of aluminum foil hanging from hooks in the garden may startle birds and keep them from eating produce.
– shredded aluminum foil around the base of plants may deter snails from coming too close to the plant.
– strips of aluminum foil hung in the garden will also catch light and flicker, hopefully deterring squirrels, rabbits and other critters.
Be sure to check out how to repel deer with soap here for more helpful tips.
Does aluminum foil in the garden attract butterflies?
Let’s chat about creature we want to see in our garden such as butterflies! Small sheets of aluminum foil in the garden make for lovely warming spots.
Butterflies may enjoy sunning themselves on these foil patches, and anything to help the pollinators is a great idea.
Want to know how to attact more butterflies to your garden? Check out our post on how to make a butterfly feeder here.
How do you use aluminum foil in the garden?
You can use any kind of aluminum foil to try the tricks above. The important thing is that it is clean.
You are welcome to use leftover pieces of foil, just wash with warm soapy water first. This will remove any food particles that could attract critters.
Clean foil will keep any disease or bacteria from affecting your plants as well. As long as the foil has been washed well, it is good to go!
Did you know cinnamon is great for your garden? Check out how to use cinnamon in your garden here.
Does aluminum foil help plants grow?
In short answer, yes. If you are noticing that your seedlings are leggy and skinny, aluminum foil can help.
Creating a reflecting panel or box with aluminum foil can help distribute sunlight more evenly.
Lining planters with aluminum foil, or using it for one of the many pest repelling methods above, will help keep plants nutrient rich and free from nibbles.
