Backyard gardening requires quite a few tools and supplies to be effective, but keeping all those items organized and safe can be a challenge.
One gardener came up with a solution to this problem using an old mailbox and posted a video about it on TikTok.
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In a viral video, TikTok user Monica Chavez (@houseofesperanza), a popular TikTok gardener who grows in California's Zone 9b, shared her recycled mailbox hack for her garden.
@houseofesperanza Repurpose your garden mailbox #diy #gardentok #diyraisedbeds ♬ original sound – Monica Chavez
In the video, Monica demonstrates how many useful gardening tools you can store in a mailbox that she attaches to a wooden planter with a drill.
“That way it won't get lost and it's protected in this very durable, weatherproof box right where it needs to be,” she said.
Among the items she keeps in her mailbox are twine, a black light flashlight, an herb cutter and gloves.
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How it helps
By reusing old mailboxes she already had, Monica was able to save money by not having to buy new storage bins or invest in expensive organizational systems, and she reused items that could have contributed to garage clutter or ended up in a landfill.
As you organize your storage space, you can often make money by repurposing old items that you no longer need, selling them, or trading them in for store credit.
As well as saving money, reusing old items supports sustainable lifestyles and has a huge impact on the planet. Simple individual actions like Monica's mailbox hack help reduce waste and the harmful gases that come from waste disposal. Reducing demand for new items also reduces the strain on the environment. If we all do our part, every little bit helps.
There are also companies like For Days and thredUP that can help you reduce household waste and find creative ways to recycle.
What everyone is saying
TikTok users were inspired by the hack and planned to use it in their own gardens.
“Genius!” one TikTok user commented on the video.
“This has changed my life,” wrote another TikTok user. “I lose my gloves all the time. Thank you!”
“I was just looking around today trying to figure out how to keep it close and protected from the weather,” one TikTok user commented. “Thanks!!”
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