Most people think of recycling when they think of the three Rs. Reducing our consumption, however, is the most effective way to reduce pollution and lessen our need for incinerators and landfill sites. As organic gardeners, we can help by reusing materials destined for the garbage bin. In our gardens there are many opportunities to reuse this “waste” besides throwing weeds, trimmings and other organic material onto the compost pile.

When starting your seeds, consider using milk, juice or other beverage cartons. Used upright, these cartons are good for tomatoes, which will put out new roots if you cover the stem with soil. A few days before planting, lay the cartons on their sides; the tomatoes will grow towards the sun again, and you’ll have a long root to anchor the plant. Use the cartons sideways, with the spout side cut off, to form a bed to start smaller plants in bunches. You can also use the bottoms of milk jugs and two litre pop bottles for starting pots; pop bottles also work laid on their sides.

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