A Trash Bin From Dollar Tree Makes The Perfect Soil Sifter For Your Garden

So, you want to start a flower or vegetable garden, but you start doing research and find out it takes more effort than you thought. Then, there's the added cost of items you hadn't even considered you would need. Don't give up just yet. There's a gardening hack that will give you an instant green thumb, and save you money in the process. 

Sifting garden soil before planting seeds is a way to aerate soil, improve drainage, and makes digging in the dirt a whole lot less back-breaking for you. Freshly sifted soil is especially necessary in new gardens. However, a simple soil sifter typically costs around $20, and is meant to be paired with a large bucket, another added expense. The Essentials Wire Waste Basket from Dollar Tree makes the perfect garden tool. By sifting large amounts of soil directly onto the ground, you won't need a bucket or wheel barrow. The best part? It only costs $1.25. 

The Dollar Tree wire trash can will break up large clumps of dirt and remove unwanted debris from soil. The big holes will make quick work of a large amount in one go. Simply walk up and down your garden shaking the light-weight can and enjoy loose, healthy soil in minutes. When you are finished using the trash can as a sifter, it can double as a cage to protect seedlings from deer and rabbits.

Backyard soil that's never been used for gardening may be densely compacted. Sifting lumpy garden dirt will loosen it, making it easier for water and other nutrients to find the seeds. It also makes it easier for the seeds to push through the soil, and the roots to grow down. If the soil is too heavy, the new seedlings won't have a chance of reaching the surface. The other reason to sift soil is to remove unwanted debris. Rocks, sticks, gravel, and dead roots can interfere with drainage and may block nutrients from reaching their intended target.

You can also sift compost before adding to garden soil, especially if you make your own. Sifting can remove large chunks of organic matter that haven't fully decomposed, and remove trash like stickers or rubber bands that may have been left on fruit. A store-bought potting soil, such as Seed Starter Natural Potting Soil Mix is ready to use as-is, and won't require sifting. However, if you are re-using potting soil, you should sift it to remove old roots (and it's even better if you revitalize it with some compost and/or fertilizer).