These useful tips can make gardening more enjoyable
I’m anything but a master of the soil, but I sure love to putter in my vegetable and flower gardens. Over the years, I’ve discovered quite a few handy tips that make my gardening so much more enjoyable. I hope you find something here that will help you, too.
Acid-loving plants: For beautiful azaleas, gardenias and other acidloving plants, add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to 1 quart of water and use to water occasionally. Hint: Instead of tossing out the vinegar water used to clean your coffee maker or shower head, recycle it in the garden.
Aerate the lawn:
Wear golf shoes or other spiked athletic shoes while mowing the lawn. You will aerate the grass roots with each step, allowing much-needed oxygen and water to nourish the lawn. Not a golfer? Search online for “lawn aerator shoes.” You’ll find heavy-duty spikes — much beefier than golf spikes — that strap onto your shoes. They remind me of my first roller skates (complete with a key — remember that?). Such a great idea.
Easy spacing: Mark the handles of your gardening tools with 1-inch increments. Use a permanent marker or cut pieces of duct tape. You will no longer need a ruler when planting or spacing plants, shrubs or flowers.
Lawn snack: Try this on your lawn every three weeks during the summer: Mix 1 (12-ounce) can of regular beer, 1 cup of no-tears baby shampoo (make sure it is not antibacterial), and non-sudsing household ammonia.
Pour the beer and shampoo into a 32-ounce hose-end sprayer jar. Fill the jar with ammonia and apply according to the hose-end sprayer instructions for coverage at 2,000 square feet (4 ounces per gallon). You’re going to have very happy grass.
Lubricate the garden hose:
To prevent the hose end from becoming attached to the spigot so tightly that you cannot easily remove it without the aid of tools, rub a light coating of petroleum jelly on the garden-hose nozzle and the spigot to keep them from sticking.
Grass clippings: Don’t throw those clippings in the trash when you catch the grass while mowing the lawn. Instead, spread grass clippings around plants to repel weeds. The clippings also retain moisture and are a good source of nutrients.
Plant with purpose:
Plant deciduous trees (the type that loses its leaves in winter) on the south side of your house. They will provide summer shade without blocking the winter sun. Plant evergreens on the north side to shield your home from cold winter winds.
Mary Hunt invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com , where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services.