Gardeners Swear by These Cheap Tricks to Make Your Backyard a Heck of a Lot Better

Ryan Harden, owner of The Harden Garden, says, “If there is one indispensable item, it is a Japanese hori hori knife.” Calling it a “modern-day wonder,” Harden says this gardening knife is great for “weeding, planting, cutting roots, and even opening bags of soil.” Its rust-resistant stainless steel blade will help you dig out deep root systems, ridding your yard of unsightly weeds or overgrown plants. Grip its rosewood handle to dig, slice, saw, or measure planting depths (its blade features handy measurements). It’s also great for transplanting plants.

Kate Miller, Inverse editor, also says that her hori hori knife “is the one garden tool I can't live without. It weeds like an absolute beast.”

“The soil needs as much attention as the plants,” explains Harden. “My golden rule. For your garden, compost tea or worm castings act as superfoods.” This worm tea concentrate’s formula features billions of beneficial bacteria from Washington-raised worms and blackstrap molasses, delivering essential nutrients to your plants. Use it to boost soil health, blend with other fertilizers, or start a batch of compost. It easily mixes with water or attaches to your hose for no-fuss application.

These edging bricks for your garden are a cinch to install, and come highly recommended by gardeners on Amazon. “Made my garden project so much quicker with no digging for the border! The piece is sturdy and looks great,” according to one Amazon shopper. These inexpensive bricks will keep mulch and soil where they belong and give garden beds a polished, elegant border. They easily interlock and feature weatherproof resin that’s secured in place with stakes. A border will make small garden beds look polished (and protect plants from the weed killer you use on your grass).

A home gardener on Reddit, AKMonkey2, recommends “hardened paths through the yard on the most-used routes,” for a cheap, effective way to upgrade your outdoor space. This sophisticated hardwood pathway features a flexible build that will mold to any curved space in your yard. Built with weather-resistant hardwood, flexible wire, and rubber spacers, its durable materials can handle any weather, prevent you from walking through mud, and instantly elevate your space. When dirty, it’s easy to rinse with a garden hose.

Lauren Beach, Inverse editor, says, “We use a drip line to keep our veggie garden watered, and this timer makes the process hands-free. Watering early in the morning prevents waste, too.” It attaches to your sprinkler system or drip line and then lets you set the current time and customize the watering time, frequency, and duration for an automated watering system. Its durable, waterproof build features an easy-to-read screen, a leakproof inlet, and a customizable rain delay mode to prevent watering in rainy weather.

“These [terracotta olla pots] work so well to keep potted plants (or even raised beds) watered steadily when it’s really hot out,” Beach raves. “I usually only need to fill them once a week at the peak of summer.” One of these inexpensive pots will hydrate up to two large plants in your garden. Just bury it deep in your soil, fill it with 700 milliliters of water, and place the rubber stopper inside, and its microporous terracotta will slowly release water through osmosis, hydrating your plants as needed.

Harden also talks about the importance of composting in early spring to give plants the necessary nutrients to keep them healthy and happy. Use something like this budget-friendly spreader to apply compost or fertilizer easily. Designed to provide even coverage, it features a hand-powered crank mechanism and a five-number dial that gives you total control of how much compost you spread. You can also use it to seed or salt your lawn during other seasons.

“For optimum grass health, regular aeration plus a light top dressing of compost in early spring works wonders,” explains Harden. To aerate your grass, try these budget-friendly aerator shoes. Their one-size-fits-most design easily secures onto your shoes with adjustable straps and strong metal buckles. Once on, simply walk around your lawn, and their deep spikes will penetrate the ground to let water and nutrients better absorb into the soil.

“Very nice add to my garden,” one reviewer wrote about these stepping stones. “Love the style of rocks. My garden bed has been very muddy, making it hard to get my flowers out. Now that I have these stepping stones, I don’t get muddy. Making it very easy to get to my flowers this year.” They’re super inexpensive per stone and feature a netted backing that secures multiple polished river rocks and allows water to penetrate the soil underneath. Arrange them like traditional stepping stones, or create a uniquely shaped pathway to elevate the look of your garden (and prevent messy mud on your shoes).

“My all-time favorites are solar-powered lanterns or string lights,” says Harden. “They are cost-saving and double as eco-friendly. Also, they’re quick and easy to install while creating a stunning vibe in the surroundings.” These hanging solar lanterns have an elegant antique design that will add an inexpensive ambiance to your yard. Hang them from a tree or porch, and their interiors will emit a golden glow that mimics tea light candles. You can also put one on a table to cast the elaborate, swirled design on its surface.

“I needed something to hold the garden hose, and this is great,” one reviewer wrote. “I like that the hose isn’t a complete mess when not in use.” Made from durable, weatherproof resin, this garden hose pot has a stylish wicker design that neatly conceals your hose. Wind your hose inside the pot and thread the end through the back opening. It holds hoses up to 100 feet long and also has convenient, integrated drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating inside.

“I used this [landscape edging] as a small border for a garden I put in my backyard. Couldn’t beat the price or how easy it was to install, which I did myself. Perfect for what I was looking for,” raved one reviewer. It features a no-dig installation — simply arrange the border and use a rubber mallet to drive the included spikes into place. Once installed, the border resembles white Adirondack-style wood, fencing off your garden bed for a polished look. Its durable plastic is weatherproof, too.

Harden’s recommendation for solar lanterns also included string lights, and these curtain lights can really change the vibe of your yard. With 300 warm-white LEDs and eight twinkly modes to choose from — like slow fade, chasing, and steady glow — they’ll create a magical ambiance on the cheap. Hang the more-than-6-foot string on your fence, back wall, or porch. Their waterproof materials can even withstand rainy weather.

Harden recommends being deliberate with your plant choices. “Sowing coneflowers or lavender and native herbs known for their pollinator-attracting capabilities act as wonder herbs,” explains Harden. This 500-pack of coneflower seeds will level up your garden (and help its ecosystem). They grow perennially, get up to 3 feet tall, and feature beautiful purple petals and a cone center that will draw bees, butterflies, and pollinator birds to your yard. Once sown, you can expect them to germinate within three weeks.

Harden is also a fan of bird baths. “Adding bird baths and bee houses bring many wildlife species willing to help to your backyard,” he says. This bird bath features an innovative design that clamps onto your deck railing or fence with ease. Attach the stainless steel clamp first, then add the bowl. The spacious bath will attract nearby birds, and since the bowl is detachable, it’s also a breeze to clean.

“Perfect for beginner gardeners,” wrote one reviewer of this seeding square. “I’m just starting out, and I wanted to make sure to get my spacing right, and this was the perfect tool.” Designed to help you hack gardening, its plastic build is exactly 1 square foot and features color-coded, spaced holes for the perfect seed positioning. Just press it onto your soil, use the seed tool to poke holes into the color-coded sections, and plant your seeds.

“I’ve used [this leveling rake] for all sorts of stuff, like clearing stones from the soil, getting my garden ready for planting, and even leveling out the playground at the park,” wrote one reviewer. “It’s easy to assemble, durable, and comfortable to use.” Made from durable stainless steel with a comfortable rubber grip, its sturdy plate smooths out topsoil, giving you a level planting surface. Its adjustable design extends up to 6.5 feet to reach anywhere in your yard. You can also use it to smooth compost, sand, or fertilizer over your grass or planting beds.

One reviewer raved about these solar garden lights, which sit snugly on fence posts: “I put them on the fence posts by the garden gate. They’re very pretty, hold a charge, and [stay lit] well after I’ve gone to bed.” Their square base easily secures to posts with a couple of screws. Once attached, their crackle glass will look sleek in the daytime. At night, each light’s 10 LEDs will cast a brilliant glow to light your way and elevate the appearance of your yard.

As per Harden’s recommendation to bring pollinators into your yard, this bee house will invite bees into your outdoor space. Made from sustainable materials like bamboo, pinecones, and wood wool, it features six roomy chambers designed to attract bees, butterflies, and ladybugs. Set it on a table or hang it on your fence with the hanger. Its weatherproof roof will shield insects from rain, while its various materials will promote biodiversity in your yard.

“Unusual products like coffee grounds enrich the soil with nutrients and also repel snails and slugs naturally,” according to Harden. Use this stainless steel compost bin to store used coffee grounds (and other compost) in your kitchen. Once full, remove the lid and spread the grounds over your soil. Its compact size easily fits on your counter and can hold over a gallon of scraps, while its airtight lid and charcoal filter keep odors inside.

Ryan Walts, lawn care expert with Lawn Squad, says, “Lawns that receive consistent, deep watering tend to be greener and healthier than those that don’t.” Walts recommends watering your lawn “three mornings per week at 20–30 minutes per area.” This lawn sprinkler has a three-arm rotary system and adjustable spray angles to customize your coverage. Attach it to your hose and adjust the water level to prevent water waste. Use it to target specific lawn areas — it covers up to 3,000 square feet at a time.

Redditor, TheFloraExplora, recommends you use “‘swamp water’: i.e., throwing weeds in a rain bucket, letting it rot for some time, then scooping out the fermented liquid/muck for fertilizer. A sip can perk up a forgotten tomato plant, drooping and crisping from lack of water, in minutes. I’ve never seen anything work as well for as little effort!”

This leakproof rainwater collector has a conveniently collapsible design when not in use and a 53-gallon interior for catching rain. Place it underneath your storm drain to catch water, and its mesh filter will keep debris out. Its top easily unzips to store weeds inside or access the water.

One important gardening trick? “Proper pruning of plants — not only for shaping but for increasing yields,” recommends lschmitty153 on Reddit. “It takes time to learn and get the hang of, but [it] can do wonders for your garden.” These pruning sheers have curved titanium blades that can easily cut through tough stems, giving you hassle-free, precise cuts. A spring-loaded mechanism makes it easy to open and close the shears, while their ergonomic, nonslip grips are easy on your hands. The titanium is also heat-treated, so their blades won’t fracture or dull quickly.

MIller advises using a garden basket to upgrade your gardening routine. “After picking fresh veg from my garden, I use this colander basket to bring everything inside. I can then rinse everything down in the sink. Way less mess,” she says. It features dual sides for different purposes. Use the colander side to rinse down produce, the other side to soak produce, and the middle compartment to store hand tools. Its convenient carrying handles are also long enough to sling over your forearm, while its plastic build is super easy to clean.

“If it’s possible to be obsessed with a weeder, I love this one so much,” says Inverse editor, Jen Fiegel. “It has honestly made the unpleasant task 10 times more tolerable.” It measures over 3 feet long, so you can use it to pull weeds without bending over. Just place its three serrated stainless steel claws around the weed, press the foot pedal, remove your foot, and tilt the weeder to remove the weed. It quickly ejects weeds, too.

“Don’t skimp on fertilizing regularly — whether it’s the grass, flowers, or vegetables,” advises Fiegel. This vegetable garden fertilizer has an equally balanced blend of nitrogen, phosphate, and water-soluble potassium, plus calcium, magnesium, and iron, for a nutrient-rich formula that plants love. Apply it to your soil, and it will slowly release nutrients that will boost root strength and overall plant health. Its formula is also pet-safe.

“Wearing gloves makes cleanup so much easier,” says Fiegel. These gardening gloves feature heavy-duty, abrasion-resistant rubber grips and reinforced fingertips to protect your hands from thorns and rough foliage while keeping them clean. Their breathable, moisture-wicking bamboo material won’t make your hands too hot, either. Choose from five sizes for your perfect second-skin fit.

“If you’re transplanting, making a larger hole than you need and filling it with nutrient-rich compost will help your plants get the best start,” explains Fiegel. “This [cultivator tool] makes it easy.” With three heavy-duty stainless steel tines, it powers through clay and rocky soil, loosening soil and making it easy to create a hole for a transplanted plant. It also features a hoe for quickly breaking up particularly tough soil. Meanwhile, its tines are easy to maneuver around existing plants without damaging them.

“I always have a roll of jute twine on hand. Whether it’s directing branches when I want them or making a quick repair, it’s super handy and blends into the garden,” says Fiegel. This ultra-budget-friendly jute twine comes in a bundle of three rolls covering over 900 feet. Its biodegradable fibers are gentle on plants but extremely durable, holding branches tight without damaging them. It’s also great to have on hand for gift wrapping and craft projects outside of the garden.

Beach recommends testing your soil. “These tests give you the information you need to make sure your plants will thrive,” says Beach. This soil testing kit has 20 tests total — five each for pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash — so you can add supplemental nutrients when something tests low. Its capsule system includes detailed testing instructions and easy-to-read color charts to compare your samples. It also comes with a pH guide for over 400 plants.

“Deer eat our hostas and plenty of other plants, too. This spray works great at deterring them humanely,” says Beach. With triple the active ingredients of typical sprays, its blend of botanical oils and natural ingredients (like garlic and white pepper) makes plants taste and smell awful to deer. But its scent is actually a pleasant mix of cinnamon and peppermint. Spray some on, and its rain-resistant formula will give your plants long-lasting protection.

“I am obsessed with peonies, but they get droopy fast,” says Beach. “These stands make such a difference and blend right in.” At nearly 16 inches tall, they’re perfect for propping up everything from peonies to Monsteras. Stick a stake in a pot and arrange the half circle where your plant needs support. Their rust-resistant, powder-coated iron features a deep green color that easily blends with foliage. You can also use two to support a larger plant.

One reviewer called this weeder tool the “strongest hand weed digger [they] have ever owned.” They wrote, “Great for digging up weeds from difficult places as well as easily accessible places. Whenever I go out to tend my gardens, I grab this amazing digger to have at hand. I highly recommend.” Its two-pronged fork digs deep underneath weeds to yank out entire roots without damaging surrounding plants. Use it on everything from dandelions to large weeds and thistles. Its durable, rust-resistant stainless steel won’t bend from long-term use, and its handle has a comfortable, soft grip to prevent hand fatigue.

“I am an avid gardener and bone meal is great for my root crops,” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “I add it to my soil before planting and then again once a month until harvest. A great product to help you to grow your best.” Packed with nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium, this bone meal fertilizer will promote strong root systems for bulbs, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and rose bushes. Its vital nutrients will also boost blooms and enhance food crops. Add some to your soil or potting mix, and its slow-release nitrogen will provide long-lasting nutrients for your plants.

“I bought this [electric bug zapper] to reduce the bug bites during gardening. It really kills bugs instantaneously,” raved one reviewer. Hang it from your porch or tree to keep pests away while you garden or lounge (it provides up to 1,600 square feet of coverage). It conveniently plugs into an outlet and instantly kills insects with its UV lamp. Any insects fall into its easy-to-clean, removable catch tray so you can toss them after use.

According to one Amazon reviewer, “birds of all kinds” are attracted to this feeder. “It’s a great investment to get birds back in the yard to help the garden and environment,” they wrote. Its plastic build is waterproof, easy to clean, and has a sizable interior that fits over 2 pounds of birdseed to attract various birds. Twist the squirrel-proof top off to fill it with seed, then hang the feeder in your yard. Its sloped roof will shield birds from the elements, keeping them fed and dry.

“This is a grand lantern,” wrote one reviewer. “Nice size, a very pleasant yellow flicker, on at dusk, off at dawn [...] I have a few of these in the garden, and it’s quite magical at night.” Its rustic metal design looks like it belongs in a classic cottage or fairy garden. When activated at dusk, the faux candle inside flickers like a real candle, putting off a romantic golden glow. Its handle also makes it easy to move anywhere in your garden.

If you could use more shade in your yard, one Amazon reviewer highly recommends this sun shade. “Does a great job in the garden, keeps us from the spring sun. Easy to place,” they wrote. Offering over 95% UV protection, its durable material blocks the sun while remaining breathable, keeping your garden or patio seating area cool and breezy. Its permeable fabric also prevents rainwater from pooling on top in wet weather. Choose from various sizes (some customizable) and 12 colors.

One reviewer raved about these solar ground lights, writing, “[They’re] super easy to put together and just push down in the flower bed. They are bright and make the garden beautiful at night.” Each light will automatically turn on for up to eight hours at dusk and features eight integrated LEDs that intelligently adjust their brightness based on ambient light. Simply install the stakes, turn the switches on, and insert the lights into the ground. Their sleek, weather-resistant materials will look and work great year-round.

Another Amazon reviewer with a garden recommends this solar rain gauge for tracking how much water your flowers are getting. “It’s in the flower garden next to the house,” wrote the reviewer. “You can easily see how much rain the flowers actually get. Very attractive.” Its multifunctional, pretty design includes a copper-colored metal base with a cutout dragonfly design, which also houses a solar light. Inside the metal base is a weatherproof acrylic tube with precise measurements in inches and centimeters. After rain, check the tube to gauge how much water your plants received.

“I’ve tried other solar garden lights, and these are the best of the bunch,” wrote one reviewer of these solar lights. “They stay lit longer and are brighter than the other brands. Glad I purchased these.” They easily stake into a garden and feature eight round lights on flexible wires that put off a soft, golden glow. Designed to sway in the wind like fireflies, they not only add a magical ambiance but last for up to 15 hours. Many other reviewers say they make a great addition to gardens.

“These are great for ‘light pruning’ in the garden and around the yard,” one reviewer raved. “They’re the perfect in-between size. I keep them in a pouch on my garden belt, and they’re with me anytime I work in the garden.” Use these heavy-duty hand clippers to easily prune bushes, small trees, grass, and flowers. Their sharp steel blades will stay sharp through long-term use, and you can even use them to cut through ground cover plants or sod. They also have soft, nonslip handles for a comfortable grip.

“This garden kneeler and bench has been a lifesaver while planting flowers/bulbs in the ground and in pots,” wrote one reviewer. “We planted at least 250 plants and used this bench constantly.” It has a reversible design, so you can flip its legs up to kneel or down to use it as a bench. Its thick foam pads take the pressure off your back and knees while a handy triple-side pocket stores your tools. Even better, it folds up for storage after gardening.

One home gardener recommends adding whimsical lighting to your yard, like these solar butterfly lights. “Started a butterfly garden this year, and these are perfect for the habitat. They are not bulky or intrusive, simple to set up, and [have] a very vibrant solar power to enjoy the colors in the evening,” they wrote. To use them, insert the stakes into the ground. Each stake features faux leaves and six LED lights with a butterfly or dragonfly affixed to the top of a flexible wire designed to sway in the wind. When on, the butterflies will give off a magical glow, highlighting their brilliant colors.

“A great way to keep your outdoor garden hose neat and contained,” wrote one reviewer about these garden hose hooks. “No need to attach anything. Love it!” Their durable metal design simply hangs over your outdoor spigot with no screws needed. Once on, neatly wind up your house and store the bundle on the hook. The hooks are large enough to support up to 50 feet of hose. You can also use them to store extension cords in your garden shed.

One Amazon reviewer suggests adding solar lights to your flower garden, like this hot air balloon lantern.“The hot air balloon is not huge, but it is beautiful [when] tucked in the flower garden! The flickering glow at night is mesmerizing,” they wrote. Made of thick glass and antiqued metal, it looks decorative in the day and even more magical at night. At dusk, its flickering solar light mimics a balloon flame. The included hook makes it easy to hang anywhere in your garden. Choose from 15 fun color combinations.

“Have this hooked up to my garden fountain to shut it down at night. [It’s] working great,” wrote one reviewer about this inexpensive outdoor outlet timer. Simply plug it into your outlet and plug two devices (garden lights, fountains, and other outdoor gadgets) into the timer. Then, use its pins on the dial to program your devices in 15-minute intervals (there are 48 customizable settings). Once programmed, the timer will automatically run each day.

“The birds love this little fountain,” wrote one reviewer. “I loved the easy installation. The water flow suction is great, works better with a deep birdbath, and the top attachments control the water flow. Keeping the bottom and top clean helps it to be a flawless fountain for the garden for years to come.” Place the fountain inside a bird bath, and it will simply float on top. Its solar panel will activate the water stream, which may attract birds to your yard. As a bonus, it has six interchangeable nozzles for different spray styles, from gentle to strong flows.

One reviewer hyped this watering can light for its enjoyable design, writing, “It’s so cute! I love watching it at night while I enjoy my tea on the back porch. As soon as it gets dark, the lights begin to twinkle in the garden, creating a scene that looks like a fairytale, as if fairies are sprinkling magic on the plants.” It hangs from a garden hook (not included), has a light inside the metal watering can, and features 60 twinkling LEDs that cascade like glowing water. The light inside the watering can also showcases a whimsical cutout sunburst pattern. Once it turns on at dusk, it provides up to 12 hours of light.

If you have a dog, one home gardener recommends this garden fence border to keep them out of your plants. “I got these fence pieces to protect my flower bed from dogs who like to dig, and it seems to be working,” they wrote. “It was very easy to put together and will be easy to move around as necessary. It looks nice and allows the flowers to be viewed while keeping people and dogs from stepping on the flowers.”

Each panel is easy to connect using the included 17-inch metal stakes. Simply arrange them side-by-side and stake them into the ground (no hammer required). With its classic arch design and rustproof black finish, it will add a sophisticated touch to your garden while keeping critters away.