Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Gardening 101: Tricks of the Trade
Like many things related to the home,
gardening is a personal endeavor. Not only is it a great way to add character
to a property, but you can reap some produce in the process as well. The great
thing is that there are many different ways to garden. Those members of older
generations often have built up a repertoire of tips and tricks gleaned from a
lifetime spent planting and pruning in their backyards. Others utilize modern technology,
such as green gables and sun ports—which can be found at Weatherport.com—to ensure their garden blooms in just the perfect
way.
The real joy comes in happening upon those
little tricks and trade secrets that facilitate the whole process of gardening.
This guide is intended to shed some light on these little-known gardening facts.
Keep
fingers clean
While many view dirt under the fingernails
as a badge of honor indicating hard work in the garden, others aren’t
interested in the work it takes to wash away said dirt. Those who aren’t
interested in wearing gloves while they garden can protect their nails from
dirt accumulation by sliding their dry fingernails across the surface of a bar
of soap. Tis will prevent dirt from seeping underneath the nails, and all
that’s needed to remove it at the end of the day is some water and a nailbrush.
Turn
tools into multitaskers
Properlyspacing plants is an important part of gardening.
But there’s no need to go back and forth from placing the plants to sizing the
space with a tape measure. That’s because a single long-handled gardening tool
can double as a tape measure. Simply lay the tool on the ground and place the
tape measure along side it. Use a pen to mark the inch and footmarks on the
handle of a tool.
Curb
salt deposits
The bane of many gardeners’ existence is
the salt deposits that accumulate on clay planters over time. The good news
there is a quick and easy home remedy to remove this gunk that involves mixing
the same amounts of white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and water in a plastic spray
bottle. Then simply spray the planter and wipe it down with a plastic brush.
Note:
gardeners can also use empty clay pots as a reliable twine holder. Simply place
some gardening twine in the planter,thread the twine through a hole in the
bottom, turn the planter upside down and place it near the garden. Voila – a
handy twine dispenser.
Utilize
tea and coffee in the garden
That’s right: tea leaves and ground coffee.
Sprinkling these leftover substances over garden soil acidifies the earth and
helps to maintain the pH balance. Experts recommend sprinkling grounds or
leaves ¼ inch one time a month to maintain this balance.
Note:
pouring a bit of chamomile tea at the base of seedlings once a week will help
stave off fungus.
These are just a few tips that should make
anyone’s time in the garden all the easier and more efficient. And for those
who grow often boil vegetables when cooking, here’s one last tip: use the
leftover water to feed outdoor potted plants. They love the taste.
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