Photo by The Power of Pickle Juice: A Simple Hack for a Sustainable Future
As a pickling enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for ways to reduce waste and make the most of my pickling liquid. That’s why I was thrilled to come across a simple hack that’s been making waves on social media: reusing pickle juice to make seemingly infinite pickles.
But before we dive into the details, let’s talk about why this hack is so important. With the increasing awareness of climate change and the need to reduce our carbon footprint, it’s more important than ever to find ways to reduce waste and live more sustainably. And what better way to do that than by giving new life to something that would otherwise end up in the trash?
The Pickle Juice Hack
The hack is simple: instead of throwing away the juice from your pickles, use it as a brine to make new pickles. All you need to do is add sliced cucumbers from your garden or the store into the juice and refrigerate for 24-48 hours. The longer the better for that pickle taste.
But don’t just take my word for it - this hack has been tried and tested by many a pickling enthusiast, with amazing results. Take FoodHomesteader, for example, who shared her experience with the hack on Instagram. “This has changed my life,” she exclaimed. “I do this with our own canned pickle brine too, but grocery store pickle brine and veggies work just as well!”
Benefits of the Hack
So why is this hack so effective? For one, it reduces waste by giving new life to something that would otherwise end up in the trash. It also saves you money by eliminating the need to buy new pickling liquid every time you want to make pickles. And, as an added bonus, it’s a great way to get creative with your pickling - experiment with different vegetables and spices to create unique and delicious flavor combinations.
Landscape Fabric: A Game-Changer for Gardeners
But the benefits of this hack don’t stop there. When combined with the use of landscape fabric, it can be a game-changer for gardeners. Landscape fabric is a type of fabric that’s specifically designed to suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil. By using it in your garden, you can reduce the amount of water and fertilizer you need to use, making it a more sustainable option for gardeners.
Nick, a reader from Parma Heights, swears by the use of landscape fabric in his garden. “I don’t use any fertilizer, but for the past two years, I’ve been laying black cloth to prevent weeds,” he explains. “I’ve also found that the black cloth heats the ground and retains moisture in the soil.”
Irrigation Hacks for a Drought-Resistant Garden
But what about when the weather gets hot and dry? How can you keep your garden thriving without breaking the bank on water? The answer lies in creative irrigation hacks, such as using plastic juice bottles as submerged reservoirs or terra cotta vessels called ollas.
Reader Jack from Broadview Heights uses plastic juice bottles to keep his garden hydrated during dry spells. “This has been a tough year drought-wise…in spite of the drought my raised beds are great,” he explains. “The buried juice bottles are doing the job. I ran out of rain barrel water a week ago so I’m using city water.”
Meanwhile, Master Gardener Carolyn Hufford swears by the use of ollas to reduce garden watering. “Instead of individual holes in the juice bottle method, water seeps through the naturally porous terra cotta to the surrounding soil,” she explains. “The ollas are working well for me this summer, smoothing out the dry spells between rains.”
Conclusion
The pickle juice hack is a simple yet effective way to reduce waste and live more sustainably. By combining it with the use of landscape fabric and creative irrigation hacks, you can create a thriving garden that’s resistant to drought and perfect for pickling enthusiasts. So next time you’re tempted to throw away that pickle juice, remember - it’s not just a waste, it’s a opportunity to get creative and live more sustainably.
Image: Pickles in a jar with a glass of pickle juice
