12 ways to use pantyhose in the garden

Before you consider throwing away those used pantyhose with the run in them, give them new life in the home, the yard and garden. There are lots of surprising ways to put pantyhose to good use (aside from wearing them)!

Slip pantyhose "caps" over unpicked produce on fruit trees and plants to thwart birds, squirrels and insects.

Tie plant stems and vines to stakes with pantyhose using a figure-eight loop.

Tie climbing roses to a trellis with pantyhose — white hose for a white trellis, beige hose for natural wood.

Use pantyhose as bags to hold human hair clippings or soap slivers, which, when tied to stakes around the garden plot, may repel deer.

Keep a coiled garden hose from coming loose by tying it with pantyhose.

Cover a watering can spout with pantyhose when watering delicate flowers.

Store bulbs in pantyhose during the winter. Put different varieties in different legs, making sure to label each leg as you go.

Prevent soil loss in patio plants by laying a piece of pantyhose over the drainage holes of pots.

Use as a tea bag for manure or compost tea.

Use to strain liquid fertilizer (including manure or compost tea), pesticide, or fungicide into a sprayer.

If you grow your melons on a trellis, a sling made from pantyhose will keep growing melons from falling to the ground. Just cut off one leg from the pantyhose, slip it over a melon and tie the hose to the trellis.

A few layers of pantyhose (or, alternately, two fabric softener sheets) will protect the air intake opening on your power mower — specifically, the carburetor intake horn. Just cut the material to size and secure it to the horn with duct tape.

If you think you use your pantyhose in the best possible way, think again! These 12 garden tricks with pantyhose will give your old stockings a whole new lease on life.