Don't Throw Out Old Pool Noodles: Save Your Plants With This Garden Hack

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Container gardening is perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, or anyone short on yard space. Whether you're growing herbs on your balcony, flowers on a small patio, or tomatoes in large pots, there are many benefits of growing a container garden since it makes it easy to bring greenery into compact spaces. But if you've ever tried to grow taller plants, like tomatoes, peppers, or snapdragons, you know how easy it is for stalks to droop or snap right over the edge of the pot.

Luckily, there's a ridiculously cheap and easy hack that can help: Just use an old pool noodle. By slicing pool noodles lengthwise and wrapping them around the rim of your container, you create a soft bumper that props up those fragile stems and helps prevent breakage. Think of it like a foam cushion that gives your plants extra support without needing extra gear or expensive garden gadgets. All you need for this hack is pool noodles, scissors or box cutters, zip ties, and a free afternoon.

One thing to keep in mind, though: Pool noodles are made of plastic foam, and they will eventually start to degrade, especially under constant sun and water exposure. To avoid potential microplastics or chemical leaching into your soil, it's best to swap them out once they start looking worn or crumbly.

Chances are, you already have a pool noodle shoved in the back of a closet. Or if not, they're just a few bucks at Walmart. You can even use a few smaller noodles pieced together if you have them on hand. To get started, grab a measuring tape and measure the circumference of your planter. Then cut your pool noodle to match that length. Use scissors or a box cutter to carefully slice along the length of the noodle, just one side, like you're making a slit. That slit will allow you to easily pop the noodle right over the rim of your planter.

Make sure it fits snugly and lies flat against the top edge of the container. This way, it'll cradle and cushion any stalks and act like a foam support rail. It's especially helpful during heavy rain or strong winds when plants are more likely to topple. If you want to personalize this DIY, you can cut your noodles into smaller segments and alternate colors for a striped effect. You can also spray paint the noodle pieces to match your containers (ensure the paint is plant-safe) or wrap them in waterproof tape for a more natural or polished look. Bonus tip: If your plants are already in the container, use zip ties or soft twine to gently hold stems out of the way while you install the noodle. There's a reason why gardeners should have zip ties handy when growing creeping plants.  If you have leftover noodles, try some of these 5 genius pool noodle hacks you can use in your closet.