You don’t need fancy tools or expensive fertilisers to have a thriving garden in Malaysia — sometimes, the best solutions are found in your kitchen, trash bin, or kopitiam leftovers.
Here are 10 clever hacks real Malaysian gardeners use — tested, tweaked, and tropical-proofed. From nasi lemak banana peels to Shopee sambal containers — these are the real MVPs of the kebun life.
🌱 1. Banana Peel Water = Free Fertilizer
Soak banana peels in water for 2–3 days and water your plants with the liquid. It’s rich in potassium and phosphorus, which help with flowering and fruiting.
✅ Great for: Papaya, lime, tomato, chili
❌ Don’t leave the peel in open soil (attracts pests)
🥄 2. Old Milo Tins Make Perfect Pots
Don’t throw them — poke drainage holes at the bottom and use them as mini planters for ulam, herbs, or seedlings. Plus, they look uniquely Malaysian 😎
✅ Bonus: Paint them for a quirky garden aesthetic
🥚 3. Eggshells = Fertiliser & Pest Control
Crush and mix eggshells into soil to boost calcium, or scatter around seedlings to deter snails and slugs. Dry them first to avoid smell or fungus.
✅ Especially helpful for tomatoes, chilies, and leafy greens
🌶 4. Chili Spray to Deter Pests
Blend 2–3 cili padi with water and a drop of soap. Spray on leaves to repel aphids, caterpillars, and ants.
⚠️ Wear gloves, and don’t use on sensitive herbs (like kesum) too often
☕ 5. Used Coffee Grounds = Compost Booster
Mix spent kopi grounds into compost or sprinkle around soil for a nitrogen boost. Great for soil structure and worm-attracting.
☕ Don’t overdo it: too much can make soil too acidic
🧴 6. Plastic Bottles = Mini Greenhouses
Cut large bottles in half and place the tops over small seedlings. This protects them from heavy rain, wind, and pests while keeping humidity high.
💡 Works especially well for leafy veg during monsoon season
🍚 7. Rice Water = Leafy Growth Boost
The water left over after washing rice contains trace nutrients and starch. Use it to water herbs and leafy greens for faster, greener growth.
✅ Use fresh (don’t store it too long or it’ll go sour)
🌾 8. Old Towels as Moisture Retainers
Cut old towels or T-shirts and lay them at the base of fruit trees or deep pots. They act like slow-release sponges, keeping soil moist during hot spells.
♻️ Budget-friendly + eco-friendly
🧂 9. Ash From Kitchen Charcoal = Natural Fertilizer
If you cook with charcoal, save the white ash. It’s rich in potassium and can be sprinkled around flowering or fruiting plants.
⚠️ Use sparingly to avoid making soil too alkaline
🪴 10. Curry Leaf Trick: Prune to Multiply
Instead of waiting for your pokok kari to grow taller — prune the top stem (above a leaf node). This forces side shoots, creating a bushier, leafier plant.
✅ Do this every 6–8 weeks for best results
✍️ Bonus Hack (Because Malaysia):
Use plastic kuih trays from pasar malam as seedling trays. They’re stackable, washable, and perfect for starting seeds.
✅ Final Thoughts
Whether you’re in a condo, terrace, or kampung, gardening doesn’t have to be complicated. With a bit of DIY spirit and Malaysian creativity, you can turn everyday items into powerful garden tools.
📣 Show Us Your Hacks!
Tried one of these? Got your own secret trick?
Tag us on Instagram at @projectharvest.my and inspire more home growers to get crafty! 🪴🇲🇾