Don't Toss Leftover Containers, Reuse Them For A Clever Grass Seed Spreading Hack

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You know those plastic fruit containers with all the little drainage holes at the bottom? Before you recycle yours, consider how you might be able to use them in the garden. These little fruit containers might be just what you need to upgrade your lawn care routine. Lightweight and ventilated, fruit containers can be repurposed into a clever DIY tool for spreading grass seeds. It's a smart way to give plastic a second life, cut down on waste, and make lawn care a little bit simpler.

If you've ever tried to plant grass seeds, you'll know that an even application is difficult. Spreading seeds by hand is challenging, especially if you're dealing with a larger yard. To do this, some people buy a tool called a spreader, like this Chapin Hand Seed Shaker. If you want to save money and go DIY instead, repurposing a fruit container is the way to go. 

The small holes punched through the bottom of fruit containers allow the fruit to stay fresh longer, and the overall design of the container makes it perfect for use as a DIY spreader. Just fill the container with seeds and shake it from side to side to let the seeds fall through the small holes. You can use it to overseed your lawn (make grass thicker and healthier and fix uneven spots) or to plant new grass altogether. 

Before you start spreading grass seeds using this hack, prepare your soil. This requires that you remove any weeds or rocks from the ground and loosen the soil with a rake to break up compacted or clumpy areas. Before sowing, you'll need the top layer of the ground to be loose and fine in texture.

Once the ground is ready, it's time to sow. Most grass seeds come with directions on the packaging about how much to use, typically around one pound per 1,000 square feet, but it might vary depending on different types of grass seeds. Weigh out the amount of seeds you need and leave them in a bucket or box on the side. Now, simply fill the fruit container with seeds and shake it across your lawn for the seeds to fall evenly through the holes. When you run out, refill the fruit container with more seeds and continue. Once done, either find new ways to reuse the plastic fruit container around your home and garden, or keep it for next time. 

The key is to work in two directions. First, make your way from left to right, walking in parallel lines across your lawn, spreading seeds as you go. Then, go up and down instead. If you're just patching up some bare spots, no need to use the parallel line method; just cover the area evenly. In the following days and weeks, follow tips and tricks for growing grass from seeds.