A creative solution to a common gardening frustration has captured the attention of green thumbs on social media, with thousands of enthusiasts praising a simple hack that makes measuring garden supplements easier and less messy.
The viral tip, which first appeared on Facebook before being shared on Reddit, shows gardeners repurposing sauce bottle lids to create precise dispensers for popular garden supplements like Seasol and PowerFeed.
From Frustration to Innovation
The hack addresses a common complaint among gardeners about the difficulty of measuring and pouring these products without spillage. While the standard bottle lid can be used as a 10ml measure, many users find this method cumbersome and prone to waste.
“I keep getting splashback from the seasol on me thongs,” one gardener shared, highlighting the widespread frustration with the original packaging.
This sentiment was echoed by numerous others, with some suggesting that manufacturers might deliberately avoid including better measuring devices.
“I’m sure they deliberately don’t sell with a measurement device so people don’t bother and use more,” observed one commenter. Another added that “pouring 5 litres into a lid is the opposite of customer care.”
The simple sauce bottle modification has proven particularly valuable for those working with young plants, where precise measurements are crucial. “I literally stuffed up pouring some a bit ago and nuked some young plants.
Multiple cans had been in play but that’s spring time gardening,” shared one gardener, emphasizing how easy it is to over-apply these products without proper measuring tools.
For those working with larger quantities, the challenge is even greater. As one commercial gardener noted, “Now just need a good way to get it out of a 200L drum without wearing it.”
This common struggle highlights why such a simple solution has resonated with so many in the gardening community.
The discussion around this hack has sparked an enlightening conversation about garden supplements and their proper use. Several experienced gardeners pointed out a common misconception about seaweed solutions.
“For ages I thought I was fertilizing my plants with the seasol,” one gardener admitted. “Really struggled with acidic soil and plants suffering from nitrogen deficiency. Finally realised the reason it doesn’t advertise the npk ratio is because it isn’t a fertilizer.”
Expert Tips for Best Results
Long-time gardeners in the discussion offered additional advice for getting the most out of these products:
“I switch between powerfeed (actual fertilizer) adjusted with other fertilizers to get the npk ratio I’m after, and seasol every couple of waterings,” shared one experienced user.
Another contributor suggested an alternative approach: “I buy that concentrate then put it in one of those hose weed n feed containers that plug in the end of your hose.”
Money-Saving Alternative
Some gardeners offered cost-saving suggestions for those looking to economize. “Don’t pay for water,” advised one commenter. “Regardless of how concentrated they tell you it is, you’re still paying for water. Buy the powdered form of seaweed and make your own, much more economical.”
Practical Considerations
While most users celebrated the hack’s effectiveness, some offered words of caution. “Don’t leave it near the bbq,” one gardener warned, highlighting the importance of proper labeling and storage of the modified bottles.
The viral nature of this simple yet effective solution demonstrates how sharing practical gardening knowledge continues to help cultivators improve their techniques and avoid common pitfalls. As one appreciative gardener summed it up: “Well done and thanks OP for the share.”
Based in sunny Brisbane, Linda has a keen interest in ornamental plants. She firmly believes that gardens are as much about aesthetics as they are about functionality.
Despite being a life-long gardener, she still enjoys learning about new plants and gardening techniques and sharing her discoveries with the Ultimate Backyard community.
When she's not immersed in her garden, Linda loves reading and walking.
