The Cool Down
Gardener reveals clever hack using simple household materials: 'Great idea'
One home gardener shared a TikTok video teaching other home gardeners a DIY hack for making melon cradles.
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Viral Garden Hack Utilizes Old Stockings to Support Growing Melons
A recent viral video by TikTok user Niki Mumey, known as "thenikimumey," has showcased an innovative gardening hack designed to provide crucial support for growing melons. The video, uploaded on July 28, 2025, demonstrates a simple yet highly effective method for repurposing old stockings to create custom slings for developing fruits. Mumey begins by explaining the process, which involves cutting a pair of stockings in half to yield individual leg sections. A small, strategic slit is then made in one side of a stocking leg. "Okay, so all I did was cut these two stockings in half, so you have one leg each, and then right in the middle of the leg, I just cut a little slit," Mumey details in the tutorial. She then proceeds to tie one end of the stocking to a robust garden trellis, establishing a secure anchor point. A small melon, identified as a watermelon, is then carefully placed into the slit, allowing the stocking to gently cradle it. The final step involves tying the other end of the stocking higher up on the trellis, ensuring the melon is adequately supported as it continues to grow and gain weight. "You just want to kind of tie it up high enough so it's supporting it and not just gonna let it keep falling down as it gets heavier," she advises, highlighting the importance of proper tension. This technique aims to prevent heavy fruits from breaking off delicate vines or resting on the ground, thereby significantly reducing the risk of rot, fungal infections, and damage from pests. The hack has resonated widely with the online gardening community, offering a cost-effective, sustainable, and practical solution for vertical gardening enthusiasts. This method not only protects the harvest but also promotes healthier plant growth by keeping fruits elevated.
