Austin (KXAN)- Would you like to know a trick that not only saves money on costly potting soil but is also, in a small way, saving the planet?

John Dromgoole of The Natural Gardener has a trick to reduce the amount of potting soil used in planting up annuals and other shallow-rooted plants that he uses in his larger patio pots.

John uses plastic milk jugs, water bottles and anything else he might find in his recycling bin that is light and bulky to take up space in the bottom of the pot that would otherwise be filled with premium potting soil.

You have to be careful though! Some trees or shrubs in pots need a deeper pot with the extra soil.