Implementing Wine Corks in the Garden: Creative Ideas to Recycle
Store a bottles' worth of wine corks - they've got some cool DIY uses for your backyard. But remember, only use the ones made from 100% natural cork. Synthetic corks with plastic compounds can create a mess in your garden as they'll break down into microplastics.
We had a chat with a couple of experts to help you make the most of your garden-friendly wine corks:
- Lauren Click, a soil and circular economy expert and the founder of Let's Go Compost
- Meredith Bell, a regenerative farmer and winemaker at Est Wines
Wine Cork Compost
Chop up your natural wine corks into small bits and add them to your compost pile. These organic, biodegradable bits make for a terrific slow-release carbon source, according to Lauren Click, the founder of Let's Go Compost. "Carbon boosts aeration and balances nitrogen-heavy food scraps."
Mulchin' a Corky
Wine corks are naturally antimicrobial and efficient at holding water, making them an awesome eco-friendly option for mulch. Meredith Bell, a regenerative farmer and winemaker at Est Wines, suggests gathering 50-100 corks, soaking them overnight in water to soften them, crushing them into small pieces, and using them as mulch around plants, keeping at least 2 inches away from stems.
Seed Starter (Corkly)
Wine corks are great seed starters, offering protection for your seeds while gradually decomposing and feeding your soil. Meredith Bell has observed that roots enjoy this unique growing environment and form stronger branching patterns that support healthier plants. To make seed pods, hollow out one end of each cork using a small knife, fill with seed starting mix, plant seeds, and gradually add them to your garden as seedlings develop.
Planting Labels (Cork Labels)
Write the names of your plants on natural corks with food-safe markers (no nasty paints!). Use a bamboo skewer or reusable metal BBQ stick to make planting labels that won't harm the environment.
Corky Edging
Cork's lightweight, water-resistant, and doesn't rot easily, making it a terrific eco-friendly material for raised beds or pathway borders. Avoid synthetic corks, and secure cork bundles using garden wire. Then, gently press them into the soil—this method creates a soft barrier that keeps soil and mulch contained.
Pollinator Pads (Corky Floats)
Butterflies and bees often need a place to drink water safely without drowning. Floating corks in water features provide safe spots for these essential pollinators. Simply clean your natural corks thoroughly, then arrange them in shallow water dishes, birdbaths, or pond edges. Partially submerging and floating corks provides both safe landing spots and a source of trace minerals through occasional sea salt additions.
Overall, exploring the creative gardening applications of natural, wine corks introduces a unique, environmentally-friendly, and eco-conscious approach to gardening that supports both plant growth and the welfare of pollinators. Happy corking! 🍷🌱
- According to Meredith Bell, a regenerative farmer and winemaker at Est Wines, wine corks can be used as mulch due to their natural antimicrobial properties and ability to hold water efficiently.
- By using natural corks for plant labels, as suggested by Meredith Bell, you can create eco-friendly labels that won't harm the environment and are made with food-safe markers.
