The surprising reason why you should use diapers in your garden + how to use them

Just when you thought gardening tips couldn't get any weirder... From newspaper to vinegar, there are boundless ways that common household items can be used in the garden. But, did you know that you can even find a use for those extra newborn diapers your little one outgrew way too fast?

The filling (hydrogel) inside a diaper is traditionally used to soak up waste from a toddler. And if you've ever held a baby who hasn't been changed in a while, you know just how much moisture those diapers can retain. You can take advantage of that to keep your plants moist, according to Gardening Know How. Keep reading to see how to do this:

Potty train your Garden:
Opt to purchase super cheap diapers (or use leftovers), otherwise, this gardening hack will hack away at your bank account. Once you have your diapers in hand, do the following:

1. Slice and dice
Cut open the diaper and remove all of the gel bits into a bowl. Don't worry about the cotton pieces that get into the mixture, they'll help absorb water too.

2. Just add water
Slowly add water to the gel and mix well. Keep adding water until the mixture creates a thick gel. ​

3. Oh, and soil too:
Next, add equal parts potting soil to the gel/water mixture. Mix well and put it into a pot. Your soil mixture is ready for action.

Note: If you're not keen on making a giant mess, you can peel away the top layer of the diaper and put the whole thing into a pot.

Bonus tip: If you don't have any diapers on hand, one Houzz reader recommended using Maxi pads instead.

As a word of caution, it's probably a good idea to skip using the diapers if you're growing fruits, veggies or herbs. It's unknown whether the chemicals in the gel will contaminate the food, so use this tip for non-edibles only.

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