9 Social Media Garden Trends That Actually Work

Social media is filled with gardening advice, some good, and some bad. Telling the difference can be tricky. Gardening expert Madison Moulton lists 9 social media gardening trends that actually work and are worth trying.

Young Rainbow Chard plants grow in a black vertical planter in the garden, showcasing one of the social media gardening trends that work.

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A lot of gardening hacks online sound miraculous and too good to be true. Unfortunately, that’s because they usually are.

Many of these tricks that claim to ‘make gardening easier’ actually don’t work as intended, and can even harm your plants when done incorrectly. Contrary to what you might read on the internet, coffee grounds will not fix all your soil problems, and sprinkling Epsom salts around your plants can often do more harm than good.

But let’s not paint them all with the same brush. Some tips on social media are genuinely helpful. These are 9 of our favorite social media gardening trends that work, either saving you money or helping you grow better, healthier plants.

YouTube video

Recycling Your Containers

Three plastic bottle containers with blooming plants are suspended on a wooden fence in the garden.
Get creative by turning old items into unique planters.

If you’re on a budget, you don’t need pricey specialized pots to get started. In fact, you can turn almost anything into a planter by drilling a few drainage holes in the bottom, thanks to this social media garden trend.

Seed-starting in takeout containers is popular (as long as the containers are thoroughly cleaned first). Alternatively, get a little crafty by turning plastic bottles sideways and hanging them up, or even filling an old pair of boots if you want a quirky and creative look.

You just need to ensure your containers allow for proper drainage and are large enough to support the roots of your chosen plants. Scrolling through social media, you’ll see gardeners repurposing everything from teapots to gutters as planters. You’ll never look at ‘junk’ the same.

Old Clothes for Plant Supports

Close-up of a cluster of green unripe tomatoes among green foliage, supported by an old clothes piece on a vertical wooden stake.
Save money and reuse old clothes for garden support.

Do you have a stack of old T-shirts or bedsheets that need a second life? Make use of them in the garden. Instead of buying new plant ties, chop up those soft fabrics into long strips and use them to secure vining or tall plants to stakes.

The fabric strips stretch as the stem thickens. This is far better than rigid ties (like wire or stiff rope) that cut into the stem and invite issues like pests and disease.

This hack is creative and sustainable, saving you money while keeping your plants safe. Your stems will be secure in the wind without damage, and you can declutter your closet in the process.

Collect Rainwater

Close up of large blue plastic barrel filled with rainwater in sunny garden.
Rainwater collection cuts costs and benefits your plants.

Watering is a job you’ll be doing constantly during the growing season, and the cost can add up if you rely solely on tap water, especially if you have a large garden. Instead, collect rainwater using buckets or a rain barrel.

This is one of those social media gardening trends that truly works. It’s budget-friendly, sustainable, and beneficial for your plants—the full package.

While a proper rain barrel system might require some upfront investment, you can quickly recoup the costs. For smaller gardens, set out buckets or repurposed plastic tubs during a downpour. Even a few gallons saved here and there can make a difference in both your water bill and your ecological impact.

Use Vertical Space

Small urban garden space featuring wall-mounted hanging shoe organizers filled with soil, growing various herb varieties like mint, cumin, parsley, cilantro, and rosemary.
Grow vertically to save space and boost your garden.

If you’re short on space (or don’t have a dedicated garden at all), one of the best ways to maximize your growing area is to go up. Vertical gardens have become a social media sensation, with gardeners showcasing everything from hanging shoe organizers filled with herbs to towering GreenStalk planters that fit loads of plants in a small space.

Growing vertically frees up ground-level space and makes tending and harvesting easier. Herbs and small veggies do well on hanging racks or wall-mounted planters. If you’re more of a DIY enthusiast, consider building a simple tiered stand from scrap wood. We’ve even repurposed sturdy pallets to grow herbs and flowers in pockets of compost. The possibilities are endless and as creative as you want them to be.

Regrow From Scraps

On a white table, glass jars filled with water hold onions that have sprouted roots, with green vertical leaves growing on top.
Regrow green onions and other veggies from kitchen scraps.

Before tossing veggie scraps in the compost bin, give them a second life. As long as the bottoms are still intact, you can pop many veggies in water to encourage new root growth and production.

Green onions are my favorite choice as they regrow particularly well from the bulbs. Certain lettuces, fennel bases, and even beet tops can send out new leaves if placed in a shallow dish of clean water.

The trick is to replace the water often. Stagnant water can lead to rot. Once you see new roots or leaves, consider transferring these scraps to a pot of soil to keep them producing for longer. This social media gardening trend does not yield enough produce to replace a full veggie garden, but it’s a fun and low-cost way to stretch your groceries.

Winter Sow in Milk Jugs

Close-up of several rows of reusable plastic jugs covered in snow, with sprouting seeds inside.
Start seeds outdoors in winter with milk jug greenhouses.

Not everyone has space for a greenhouse or extra shelves indoors for seed-starting setups in winter. That’s where winter sowing comes in. Turn old milk jugs into mini-greenhouses and you can sow seeds right outside and let nature do the work.

Simply make drainage holes in the bottom, cut a flip-top opening on the side, and fill with potting mix. Then, sow your seeds and set the jugs outdoors in winter.

Because the seeds are exposed to natural temperature fluctuations, they emerge when conditions are right, resulting in strong and hardy seedlings. You also don’t have to harden them off like you would with indoor starts since they’re already used to the weather.

Ripen Tomatoes with Apples

Top view of a ripe yellow apple with a pinkish tint lying among green unripe tomatoes.
Ripen green tomatoes quickly using a paper bag and an apple.

Reaching the end of the growing season with a bunch of green tomatoes? Instead of giving up and leaving them on the vine to die off, pick them at the mature green stage and place them in a paper bag with a ripe apple.

Both tomatoes and apples release ethylene gas, which aids ripening. The paper bag traps this gas, ripening those green tomatoes quickly. You can technically skip the apple part, but it does give you ripe tomatoes much faster. Check on them every few days to make sure they’re not going past the right stage.

This social media garden trend has made the rounds on gardening social media for a good reason. Don’t let an early cold snap ruin all your hard work.

Filling Raised Beds on a Budget

A male gardener fills a raised wooden bed with dry branches and plant debris.
Layer filler materials in raised beds to save money.

While raised beds simplify gardening, filling them entirely with potting soil can leave a massive dent in your wallet.

The social media solution is to layer different filler materials at the base (cardboard, logs, twigs, homemade compost, and so on) before adding soil near the top. This method saves money and creates a healthy environment over time as those filler layers break down and feed your plants.

Maintain good drainage and ensure enough nutrient-rich soil is on top for plant roots. Over time, your bed becomes richer in organic matter, reducing the need for fertilizer.

YouTube video

Take Up Space in Tall Planters

A spacious terrace featuring various plants in tall white and black planters, creating a green, vibrant atmosphere.
Save potting mix by filling tall planters with fillers.

Last but certainly not least is a clever trick for deep or tall planters. There’s no point in filling a massive container with soil if your plant’s roots only stretch a few inches down.

By stuffing the bottom portion with fillers like old pool noodles or recycled empty containers, you use less potting mix while still giving roots room to spread. Just make sure the filler material won’t obstruct drainage or cause toxic soil.

This hack is particularly popular for balcony gardeners to reduce the weight of pots. It’s a great social media gardening trend that works, letting you save money and maintain enough space for healthy root growth.

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A woman holding a potted rosemary plant with green needle-like leaves, alongside a wicker basket containing another plant.

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