July 27, 2025, 4:11 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Plastics in the garden weather over time into microplastics. Those who want to garden sustainably will find numerous alternatives, many of which can even be made at home. Tips and tricks for plastic-free gardening.
Why Plastic-Free Gardening Is Worth It
Plastic doesn’t last forever in the garden. Sun, rain, frost, and mechanical stress cause many plastics to become brittle and break down over time. This results in small plastic particles, known as microplastics, which can accumulate in the soil and affect its structure.
Plastic particles are ingested by microorganisms, which can disrupt natural processes. Studies show that microplastics can alter soil life, inhibit earthworm activity, and affect the soil’s water balance. The good news: Reducing plastic in the garden is entirely feasible.
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1. Soil and Compost – Loose Instead of Bagged
When buying soil and compost, many opt for the convenient bagged products from hardware or garden stores. However, it’s often possible to get soil loose from a nursery or composting facility. Brought containers or tubs are sufficient to transport the desired amount home. If you still rely on packaged soil, choosing the largest possible packages can reduce the amount of packaging material.
A particularly sustainable way to obtain new soil is through your own compost pile. With a composter made of wood or metal, or an open pile in the garden, kitchen and garden waste can easily be turned into nutrient-rich soil.
2. DIY Seedling and Plant Pots
For growing young plants, plastic trays are not necessary. Today, there are many eco-friendly alternatives: seedling pots made of wood fibers, cellulose, or hemp are available in stores. Trays made of natural rubber have also proven effective. For those who want to get creative, small pots can be made from newspaper, either with a paper pot press or simply folded by hand.
Even for plant pots, plastic is not the only option. Pots made of clay, wood, or metal are durable, reusable, and add natural accents. Those who enjoy upcycling can repurpose old buckets, enamel jugs, or wooden crates. It’s important, however, to equip the containers with drainage holes for excess water.
3. String, Support, and Trellis – Plastic-Free and Creative
In the garden, materials for tying, supporting, or clamping are often needed. Instead of using plastic products, natural materials like jute, sisal, coconut fiber, or flax twine can be used. Trellises made of bamboo, wood, or metal, as well as plant clips made of metal or wire hangers, are proven, durable alternatives to plastic solutions.
For those who like to DIY, simple supports for tomatoes and other plants can be made from cut branches or old wooden slats. Even old broom handles are excellent, as they provide stability in the bed and can be reused for years.
4. Watering, Fertilizing, and Labeling Without Plastic
For watering smaller beds, there are alternatives to the classic plastic watering can: metal cans are durable and can often be bought second-hand. Clay watering aids have also proven effective–such as watering cones that are inserted into the soil and slowly release water to the roots.
So-called ollas are also a good option: These bulbous, unglazed clay vessels, buried in the ground and filled with water, release moisture evenly through their porous surface and are suitable for raised beds or smaller vegetable beds. Both options are completely plastic-free and can even be made with some DIY skills.
Liquid fertilizers are almost exclusively offered in plastic bottles, which creates additional packaging waste. A more environmentally friendly alternative is pelletized fertilizers, often sold in cardboard packaging. DIY enthusiasts can skip purchased fertilizers altogether and make nutrient-rich nettle or comfrey manure themselves.
Even plant labels don’t have to be made of plastic. Labels made of wood, metal, or slate are attractive, plastic-free options. Naturally, plant labels can also be made at home. From thin, diagonally cut branches, wood scraps, or painted stones, you can create unique, weatherproof, plastic-free labels.
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The Benefits of Gardening in Raised Beds
5. Protecting Soil Without Plastic Films
There are many options for plastic-free gardening when it comes to soil covering. Instead of the widely used black weed fleece or plastic mulch films, materials that biodegrade over time and even benefit the soil can be used. Weed control mats made of sheep’s wool or hemp keep weeds at bay and decompose into nutrient-rich humus over time. Covering gauze made of cotton or mulch films made of paper offer plastic-free protection.
Important: Not every supposedly “compostable” product actually decomposes completely in a home garden. Some materials require industrial composting conditions or a lot of time. To be safe, opt for natural materials like sheep’s wool, hemp, or cellulose, which decompose under normal garden conditions.
6. Supporting Wildlife in the Garden Without Plastic
A garden is not only a place of relaxation for people but can also be a valuable habitat for many animals. Birds, insects, hedgehogs, or amphibians find food, water, and shelter–provided the garden is designed to be close to nature. When it comes to supporting wildlife in the garden, plastic can easily be avoided.
Metal bird feeder holders or self-woven baskets made of willow branches are a safe and durable alternative to the usual plastic nets, in which birds and other animals can easily get caught. And water features made of natural stone, ceramic, or metal not only blend harmoniously into the garden but also last for many years and provide valuable drinking and bathing spots for wildlife.