Everyone urged to put sponges in the garden for one essential job in July

Sponges, a common household item, are often discarded after a few uses. However, gardeners are being urged to repurpose them for an essential task in July before the weatherheats up.

Adding sponges to soil can help plantsstay hydrated during the warmer months and is often used to achieve bigger and brighter flowers. The YouTube channel Simple & Fast shared a video encouraging gardeners to keep old sponges as they are "worth pure gold on your plants", particularly during heatwaves when soil struggles to retain water, leaving plants at risk of dehydration.

Plants typically need more care over the summer months, especially in terms of hydration. While longer and hotter days can lead to dehydration as water from the soil evaporates faster, it's also crucial not to overwater plants.

READ MORE: Hydrangeas produce bigger blooms even in the heat when fed one natural item

Since sponges absorb water, adding them directly to soil helps retain water and ensures plants stay hydrated, until they eventually break down and decompose into the soil.

In the YouTube video, the gardening expert said throwing away sponges is "wasting a powerful ally for our plants, our garden and our pots," reports the Express.

However, some viewers expressed concern about adding sponges to soil, especially as they often contain microplastics, and warned against using this method in vegetable plants or herb gardens.

But they can be beneficial for plants that are prone to dehydration. One viewer shared: "When I use decorative pots without drainage holes, I put these sponges at the bottom of them, and place the pot with the plant in, on top. That helps to avoid accidental overwatering."

By doing this before the end of July, you can ensure your plants stay hydrated throughout the summer. Simple & Fast also recommends this method if you're planning to go away, as it helps keep the soil moist and works for both indoor and outdoor plants.

How to use sponges in the garden

To start, soak the sponge in water with a small amount of soap for an hour. After an hour, give it a good rinse.

Next, use scissors to cut the sponge into small pieces. "Once we have all our sponge cut, we are going to start using it to benefit the soil of our pots and plants," said the gardening expert.

Then, mix the sponge pieces into the soil. Begin by adding some soil to the pot, followed by a layer of sponge, and finally your plant.

The sponge fragments mix with the soil in the pots, absorbing moisture and helping to keep plants healthy and hydrated for longer periods.

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