Use a Tarp for Yard CleanupWe cut the pampas grass and used a small light weight tarp for cleaning up the clippings. After putting it on the tarp, I tied the bottom ends of the tarp together in a loose knot, then tied the other end to give me a good grip to drag it. It took 3 trips and the tarp worked great for dragging the heavy clippings to the brush pile. It was easy to roll them off after I untied the ends.
Square Mesh Flat to Cover VegetablesDo your vegetables get eaten before they've grown? It's happened to me so many times! Now, I use these square mesh flats over my vegetables after seeding so the birds don't get to them. After my vegetables are bigger and stronger I will remove the flats. Chances are they'll make it and no longer vulnerable.
Use Mini Blinds for Plant MarkersIf you have ever had to replace venetian blinds, don't throw them out before you cut several of the plastic strips off to use for plant markers. They can be as long or as short as you want them to be. Happy gardening!
Laminated Plant LabelMake easy plant labels!
Protection from the Birds and the SunWe added a conduit metal frame with side "curtains" and a "roof" to our grow box to prevent birds from attacking our plants and to prevent the sun from attacking our plants. It works well here in sunny Arizona where temperatures get up to 115 to 120 degrees in the summer.
Mini GreenhouseYou can cut a water bottle or if you need a larger greenhouse a gallon water jug. Cover your plant to get them stronger before planting.
Use Faux Flower Stems to Support Live PlantsDo you have fake flower stems? Do not throw them away, they are very useful as stem support!
Aspirin to Keep Plants HealthyYou can put aspirin in a watering jug and mix in, I use two. Water your plants as usual and you will save them from disease.
Using Bricks as Tree RingEdging stone and paving stone made for tree/plant rings can get expensive. Here is a cheaper alternative that looks nice for less. Plus, clay brick is very durable, long lasting, does not ever fade, etc.
Knee Pads for GardeningWhen picking vegetables I either sit on a bucket or get on my knees. These knee pads have worked great for me. I don't know what kind they are. I would guess soccer. I found them in the sports section at Walmart about 3 or 4 years ago. They are padded well and have a hard plastic shell on the outside to protect the knee. That shell has kept them from wearing out.
Using Flower Trays As Seedling PlantersAt your garden center they often have discarded flower trays and pots that are free for the asking.These trays are great for seed starting for all season long plantings. They have sections that are perfect for keeping them separate, without extra cost.
Free PlantersBuying planters and containers to display summer flowers in can be expensive. I'm always looking for items around the house that can be repurposed as planters. I've repurposed tin cans, old shoes, boxes and numerous other items as planters. This year, I decided to use a watering pitcher that had a crack in the bottom.
Ladybugs for Your GardenThis past weekend, there was a learning event on lady bugs and a bag of 150 lady bugs complimentary with any purchase at Armstrong Garden Center - limit 1 per family.
Pre-season PlantingStart your seeds in plants already growing in the house instead of using many small cups for starting your plants ahead of the growing season. Just plant them right along with other plants you have growing in the house. When they get big enough to transplant, you can move them into other containers or directly into your garden.
Plant Shop for the Best ValueWhile shopping for a fiddle leaf fig plant, we discovered some pots had only one trunk = 1 plant and some had two trunks = essentially that'll be two plants and they were the same price.
Banana and Tea for Your PlantsI eat a banana everyday, and always throw the peel away, I also drink tea everyday and throw out the tea bags. I have now tried throwing the tea bags and banana peels in water, making a tea out of it, and it helps your plants stand up and cheer!
Protect Your Seedlings Against FrostIf you have some plants that need protecting from frost, use a clay pot over the top of your seedling. Plastic bottles will work as well. Be sure to remove them so your plant can get the sun the next day.
Plastic Bottles to Protect PlantsProtect your seedlings from cold weather or hard rain by cutting a plastic bottle and putting it on top of your plant. You could also buy glass ones but they are very expensive and they can break. You can use recycled jugs for free and have the same benefit.
Seedling Pots From Phone Book PagesI was working on my front lawn when I noticed a supplemental telephone directory had been left on my porch. I never use telephone books for their intended purpose, but I could use this one to keep a promise.
Use Plants to Hide Unattractive Outdoor ItemsI have this welding table outdoors because there is no room for it indoors. It was my dad's so I like to keep it. I decided to put all my sprouting plant cuttings on this welding table, and there is still tons of room for more plants ;)
Use Plastic Zipper Bags as Mini GreenhouseMy husband got some thermal shirts that came in these zippered plastic bags and he decided to use them as mini greenhouses for his seedlings! I gave him additional ones that I had from some linens I had bought previously and couldn't bear recycling. I knew they could be up-cycled as something else!
Feed Moldy Fruit to Your Fruit TreesOnce in a while, we forget to eat a certain fruit or the fruit becomes moldy. Instead of tossing the fruit in the trash, you could cut the fruit into pieces and feed to your fruit trees. The bees will suck the natural sugars from the fruit giving them energy to go about pollinating your trees and helping to set fruit.
My Indoor Seedling SetupMaybe one day I'll have an honest to goodness greenhouse. Til that day, I'll continue to 'make do' with what I have.
Wear Rubber Gloves Inside GlovesWe have been wearing rubber gloves under our winter and even gardening gloves this year. Hands stay dry, warmer, and cleaner!
Start Your Gardening EarlyMarch 10 - A snowfall is predicted to occur in a few days. So, I wanted to get a few pictures. Some of my plants could be hurt dramatically by heavy snow. As having the pics for my records, I thought I'd share them with you.
Inexpensive Grow LightI wanted to have some grow lights, but a lot of them were $100. I found the slightly bent light fixture at an estate sale, and went to Home Depot for the special plant bulb, which was $5. It may not be the fanciest, but it is doing a great job. I'm looking forward to the best garden ever this year.
Shower Pan Liner For Flower BedsHere is a picture of flower beds lined with shower pan liner. The liner protects the tree trunk and makes maintenance so easy. It helps keep weeds and tree roots out. I ran across it while deleting emails and thought it would be enjoyed by others who are waiting for spring, just as I am.
Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) Grown As TreeMany people grow standards for the sake of variety in form. Many others choose to grow standards because they are more vertical than horizontal in habit and take up much less space. Standards can be suitable for small patios when grown in containers.
Hand Pollinating Vegetable PlantsIf your cucumbers and tomatoes are not setting fruit, it may be because there is not enough pollination. Bees usually do this, but you can do it yourself. Female flowers have the fruit behind them. Male flowers do not. You will need a small paint brush or Q-tip.
Remove Tomato SuckersTomato suckers are side shoots that grow out of the place where a branch meets the stem. If left to grow, they will compete with the main plant for nutrients. You may get more fruit, but they will be smaller. It's recommended to prune them. They are really easy to remove; all you need are your fingers!
Gallon Plastic Jug To Gently Water SeedlingsI got the idea for this project from a post by ShirleyE who uses a small water bottle to water houseplants and seedlings. Mine is not an improvisation, more of a variation. It is ideal for containers a bit larger than those for most houseplants.
Use Bag Balm with Gardening GlovesI coat my hands with Bag Balm before putting on my leather gardening gloves. This helps keep my hands and nails healthy while, at the same time, keeps my gloves supple.
Seed Packs To Store Garden NotesI have a gardening folder in my computer and I write a lot of notes, especially about things I did wrong. Sometimes though, having a physical object in your hand can be handier and faster than a computer.
Seedling Pots From Phone Book PagesIf you have access to phone books, the pages are the perfect size for seedling pots. Without any cutting, and depending the size of your form and how the page is folded, you can make pots in a variety of sizes.
Spring has Sprung!I hate always trying to tie strings to hold my plants so I used some coil I had to place over wooden plant stakes to encourage my peas to climb up on it.
Tarp for Moving LeavesToday, I was out raking the leftover fall leaves. They were wet from the rain, and there were a lot of them. Instead of painstakingly raking them all the way from the house to the edge of the road where I needed to put them, I took out a large tarp.
Plastic Knives as Garden MarkersInstead of paying $5 for 20 garden markers, go to the Dollar store and get 30 plastic knives for $1 instead. Use a permanent marker for your plant name and place accordingly.
Use Crushed Plastic Water Bottles For Large PotsYou can crush your empty water bottles and place them in a large pot for drainage. I found this to work wonderfully for all my planted pots and is much lighter than using rocks.
Should You Wear Gloves While Gardening?My interest in gardening began at an early age. When I was around twelve, I bought a pack of icebox watermelon seeds from my school for a dime. I bought a small paper bag of fertilizer from the local milling company, and it was a dime.
Sheets for Garden Waste CleanupIn tobacco growing areas, when the leaves were harvested by hand, they used to use large burlap sheets to collect and move the leaves. I decided that that was a great idea and do the same thing with old sheets.
Boil Weeping Willow Branches for Rooting HormoneI read somewhere that Weeping Willow branches don't need rooting hormone. In fact, if you take a branch and boil it in some water, that will itself make rooting hormone for other plants to grow roots.
Mini Blinds For Plant LabelsI have already submitted a couple of ideas for plant labels. This is my absolute favorite. Cut old, one inch mini blinds into five inch strips. Taper one end. Just write the plant name and plant date on them with a pencil or marker.
Seedling And Plant LabelsI save all plastic labels that come with bedding plants. I clean them a bit and store them in a baggie along with a roll of good masking tape and a permanent marker.
Get Underachieving Nursery Plants CheapI searched around the garden area of my local big box store and found a shelf of underachievers for very little money. I took them home and nursed them back to health for way less than if I had bought the premium plants.
Stretch Gloves for Kids Garden GlovesMy little granddaughter wanted to help me work in my garden but she needed to wear gloves. I realized the inexpensive stretchy winter gloves that are one-size-fits-all would work for her, and they did. These gloves are often sold for as little as $1.
Give Aloe Vera Plants As GiftsBuy an Aloe Vera plant from the store or get one from a friend. Plant it in your garden. It will multiply and grow many baby plants. When you need a gift, just take an coffee can or plastic milk bottle cut in half and fill with soil.
Use Old Sheets to Tie Garden Vegetables.I grew up using strips of worn out bed sheets as ties for tomato plants, peppers or whatever plants are staked in your vegetable garden. The best is 100% cotton as it has to be able to "tear" into strips easily.
PVC Pipe For Deep WateringBy sawing a piece of PVC pipe that can stick up from the ground about 5 inches and have about 7 inches below the ground you can have a great watering/fertilizing gardening helper.
Tiny Vases for FlowersThis little bear vase was $.25 at a flea market. The least expensive one was $.10. I collect small vases to share flowers from the garden with children to take home to mom or dad. I also use any containers I can find to start cuttings for anyone to take.
Save Lukewarm Water From Hot Water TapInstead of running the hot tap, while waiting for the water to get hot, and letting the water run down the sink, I keep a large jug by the sink and run the water into that.
Use Hard Boiled Egg Water For PlantsEvery time I hard boil my eggs, I cool the water and use to water my indoor and outdoor plants. I have learned the extra calcium from the egg water is very good for plants. Why waste the water by pouring it down the drain?
Coffee Filter Over Drainage HoleWhen repotting plants, or planting new seeds, place a coffee filter in the bottom of the pot before filling it with soil. The filter stops the soil from leaking out of the holes in the bottom of the pot, it also helps keep the soil moist.
Water Plants With Leftover CoffeeWhen you have leftover coffee, add some water and use it to water your plants (houseplants or garden). It acts like plant food. Coffee grounds can be mixed in your garden soil for a boost.
Variation Of Square Foot GardeningI had a nice 15x15 foot garden plot roto-tilled and weeded midsummer. I felt overwhelmed by the work it would take to organize, maintain it weed-free, and then plant it next spring. I happened to read about square foot gardening and decided to do a variation on that.
Picking Up Branches While Mowing the LawnWhen I'm out mowing on the riding the tractor and come across twigs/small branches, I use my grabber that I use inside for getting things out of the cabinets.
Use Flat Bottom Sled for Garden WasteI use a flat bottom sled for garden waste. I find it very easy to pull all year round, and it holds tools as well as garden weeds. I put an old dog leash on the sled by using hooks through each end to put through the holes on each side of the sled.
Hang Soap At Outdoor SpigotThis is a great tip for gardeners. Take an old pair of pantyhose and put a bar of soap inside. Tie a knot, keeping the soap in place in the toe. Then tie around water spigot and knot.
Chopsticks as Plant AnchorsI use pretty plastic chopsticks from the nearby Asian market as stakes for my houseplants. They don't warp or rot, and the chopsticks come in all sorts of pretty colors and designs for around $2.
Make Your Own PearliteIf you need to lighten potting soil, instead of using pearlite you can make your own. Simply grind some Styrofoam packing peanuts in a food processor for a few seconds and add them to the soil.
Divide Potted PlantsSince we live in a condo, our gardening is limited to potted plants. When I get a new plant, I always make at least 2, sometimes 3, pots out of it. I divide them and re-pot them with new soil.
Pinestraw to Protect New PlantsDuring hot days, put pinestraw on top of new trees or plants to keep the sun from burning them.
Start Plants in Cinder BlocksI like to use old cinder blocks to plant things in. When they get big enough, I move them. It is hard for the birds to get into the block or the cats to dig them out before they have grown big enough to transplant.
Hang Plants on PulleyI came up with an idea and it's made life so much easier on me and on my plants. They don't get neglected like they did before when I just didn't feel like climbing up to do them.
Beautiful Garden in a HurryI had just moved in at the beginning of summer last year and found a fabulous deal on flowers! There wasn't a flower bed on my acre! So right over my grass, I laid Eco Friendly roofing paper.
Hiding a Garden HoseEven though I'm an avid gardener, visible hoses have always been an irritation to me! Gotta have them though! I hate those reels, but I hate them lying on the ground even more.
Use Eggshells for SlugsSpring is the time I start saving my eggshells to crush up for the garden. Why you ask? I sprinkle the crushed eggshells around the base of the plants to keep the slugs off my tomatoes.
Show Photos of Garden in Bloom To Home BuyersSince I was planning to move, I took pictures of all my flower beds and saved them on a flash drive. I thought it would give potential home buyers a visual of how EVERYTHING looks when in bloom.
Use a Mechanic's Creeper to GardenI'm not about to give up gardening because I'm disabled, but it hurts too much to bend over all the time. So I figured out that if I use a mechanic creeper, then I can sit on it, be closer to the dirt, carry my supplies, and I don't have to bend over.
Plastic Knife to Label PlantsI have moved multiple times and added and split perennials to each flower garden. Sadly, after tending to a variety of gardens, I have had trouble keeping track of what's been planted and where.
Add Coffee Grounds When PlantingWhen planting vegetables, such as radishes, carrots, onions etc., try sprinkling some coffee grounds in the soil first and then plant your seeds. This should keep the pests away and is also a good fertilizer.
Soil Acidity and AlkalinityIn order to do a quick soil test, wet a small sample of soil and put in a pinch of baking soda. If it fizzes at all, it might be too acidic for most garden plants and vegetables.
Put Gravel Under Outdoor FaucetYou can keep an outdoor faucet or pump from turning the surrounding area to mud, if you dig out a hole beneath the water spout and replace the soil with rocks or gravel.
Softening Potted Plant SoilIf the soil in your potted plants is hard and water has a hard time penetrating, poke holes in the soil with a pointed stick. then fill your water pail and add 1-2 drops liquid dish washing detergent. This will soften the soil and allow water to penetrate more easily.
Store Phone in Zip-Lock When Doing Yard WorkWhen you go outside to garden and take your cordless or mobile phones with you, pop them into a zip-lock bag to keep them dry and dust free. Zip-lock bags come in lots of sizes, so there's one for each phone.
Use Rubber Glove Finger on Handle to Prevent SplintersTo keep from getting splinters, use the fingers of old rubber gloves for handle covers on hoes, rakes, brooms, and mops. Tape with black electrical tape, so it won't slip off.
Use Hose to Prevent Splinters from Wheelbarrow HandlesTo stop the splinters, measure the length and the thickness of the handles. Go to your auto parts store and request a water hose that has a diameter smaller than the wheel barrow handle and a length just an inch longer than the combined length of both handles.
Water Azaleas with Pickle JuiceMy azalea bushes are 20 years old. Several years ago, I pruned them back severely, because they were getting very leggy and sparse. This spring they did not bloom for the first time in years. I found that they enjoyed an acid soil.
Use Blanket Instead of WheelbarrowIf you normally use a wheelbarrow to move mulch, dirt, compost or weeds, try an old bed sheet instead. Lay the sheet open on the ground and rake or throw the mulch, dirt or weeds onto it then grab three corners and drag the whole bundle to its new location.
Collecting Dirt for Your GardenI have found this works great. Put a square of blanket, any side out in the yard. Secure it how you want, I use cinder blocks, rocks, or bricks. When you pull up weeds, throw them on the blanket and don't shake any of the dirt off of the root clot.
Use Squeeze Bottle to Water PlantsAs much as I love my houseplants, I find it a messy chore to water the ones in high places. I've purchased several watering cans to minimize drips, but they left much to be desired - usually a splash from the well of the can.
Preventing Dirt Under Your Finger NailsBefore gardening, scrape your nails over a bar of soap. This makes it really easy to clean dirt from your nails after gardening. This also works when wearing gloves.
Move Rocks With RakeMost of the rocks that I move are for edging, which would make them around bowling-ball size. The tines of the rake hook onto the ragged edges of the rocks very well, and you can just move them along the ground without having to bend over.
Admire Gardens While At Garage SalesI love to garden but I also like to spend leisure time at garage sales; sometimes I combine the two. Whenever the host(ess) of the sale is an avid gardener, I often admire their work and tell them so.
Cleaning Under Nails After GardeningI hate how dirt gets under my nails when I garden. No matter how hard I try, I couldn't get all the dirt out from under my nails. Then I discovered the dish sprayer from the kitchen sink.
Use Pruned Tree Limbs as TrellisesUse hard wood branches you have pruned to at least five feet long in your garden as a trellis for climbing vines. It's perfect for sweet peas or peas. Looks absolutely pretty too.
Use Covered Bucket as StoolA plastic bucket with a tight fitting lid makes a wonderful stool in the garden! You can sit on it while picking produce or weeding and store gloves, small tools, and more inside.
Pollen Free Flowers Won't Help BeesEvery year I plant lots of sunflowers for the honeybees as they are declining. Yesterday, I picked up my seeds but didn't notice that they were pollen free. These sunflowers will not help the honey bee or other pollinating insects.
Protect Garden Plants With Wire BasketA wire in-basket can work hard outside too. Turn one upside down and place it over young plants to protect them from curious cats and other creatures.
Line Planters With DiapersKeeping moisture in you hanging baskets an large pots, I use the giant Pampers to line the baskets an pots. They hold lots of moisture, and your plants will thank you for the kindness.
Use Cooking Water for PlantsInstead of dumping water away from spaghetti, vegetable or even flat club soda, feed it to your indoor plants. This will give great nourishment to them for growth and greener plants. Make sure the water is cool.
Keep Plants Insulated With Bubble WrapI use to garden in Coquille, OR. The weather really fluctuates. I grew veggies and herbs in those big black containers. I wrapped the outside of containers in bubble wrap-sealed with a glue gun. It maintained a more even temperature for the plants.
Yarn Scraps to Tie VinesA softer way to tie up your vine type plants is to tie the vines to a post, fence, etc. with a piece of yarn. It is much softer on the plant than wire ties and can easily be removed with scissors. It's also a good way to make use of left over bits of yarn.
Deter Fungal Disease on HouseplantsAdd one teaspoon of powdered Jell-O to the soil of houseplants. The gelatin helps the plants to retain moisture, the nitrogen in the gelatin increases plant growth, and the sugar feeds microbes in the soil making more nutrients for the plant.
Feeding Plants with VitaminsInstead of just pitching expired vitamins you can add them to compost or dissolve them in water and give it to your plants.
Picking up Pine ConesI thought it would be a good time to introduce my new neighbor to my homemade bag holder and get some more pictures of how it works.
Recycle Christmas Deer in the GardenI have been recycling the lighted Christmas frames of the lighted deer that are put outside for decorations. When the lights go out people put them out for trash. If I see them, I will stop and pick them up.
Save Egg Shells in Cartons for Planting Next SpringAround this time of the year, I begin saving egg cartons and egg shells. The half of the shell is perfect to add a bit of potting soil and then plant your seeds.
Reuse Medical Scrubs for GardeningWhen I go out to work in my garden, I wear a pair of old scrubs. Besides, being very comfortable, they have many pockets. I put gloves, shears, rags, my phone or mp3 player in them.
Make Garden Stakes With Bamboo SkewersTo remember what has been planted in your garden, you can make simple Garden Stakes made with skewers. You simply attach the label on front and secure it with tape.
Use Junk Mail for Garden MulchI take all the junk mail and newspapers that come to our home and shred it and use it for mulch in my garden. It is very colorful and works great. I will run it through the shredder or let my grandkids cut the paper up. They have a really good time cutting and spreading.
Use Pine Needles for MulchIf you have any pine trees in your yard, use the needles as mulch! I did that in our veggie and flower gardens this year and it really holds up. You would be amazed and how much pine needles are under one tree!
Recycle Plastic Bottles to Water PlantsWhen it comes to summer time and plants drying out, what I find works, is taking water bottles (like Perrier water bottles found in the recycle box at work), filling them up with water, and then sticking them in soil about 2-3 inches in the soil.
Vinyl Blinds for Plant MarkersI take an old plastic mini-blind and cut the string to remove slats off the string. Then take 3 slats at a time stacked and flush, start your first cut at the hole for the strings, use that as a size guide cutting down the slat, using up the slat.
Reuse Sheer Curtains for Garden ShadeCreate a simple frame or some way to support fishing line or some type of string then use old sheer drapery panels (cheap at garage sales) and place panels over top and secure to the string or line with clothespins.
Use Brown Yucca Leaves as Sturdy StringI use the browned leaves on yucca plants to tie up things in the yard such as staking up iris plants or fastening together yard furniture to keep it from blowing away. They are very sturdy and freely available if you have yucca plants.
Use Styrofoam Peanuts in Bottom of Hanging BasketsWhen planting hanging baskets, put Styrofoam peanuts in the bottom instead of stones. The plants do not stand in water and the baskets will not be so heavy.
Use Post Hole Digger When Planting Lots of Tomato PlantsI needed to plant 48 tomato plants. I knew if I bent over all that time, my knees would have a lot of stress. In the gardening shed, I spied the post hole digger. It makes the hole wider and as deep as you need for each plant.
Save Produce Bands for GardeningSave the velcro wrap that comes on loose leaf lettuce, Swiss chard, boo choy, and other supermarket vegetables. Use them for tying up your vines or tomato plants. They won't harm the plant and they can be cut smaller.
Save Plant InstructionsEvery season I find myself going to the internet to see which trees and shrubs should be pruned and when. I ran off a copy from one site, but it didn't cover all the different plants I have.
Sell Plants at Your Yard SaleTry this the next time you have a yard sale. I buy a package of seed starter cups (cost $1) and fill them with starter plants from my yard (ivy, daisies, etc.). Yard sale goers love plants!
Finding Extra Plants in Pony PacksI'm frugal, but do afford myself the "luxury" of buying the small plants for my backyard raised garden and flower beds. Today I decided to get started with the planting and stopped to by a few plants from a mom and pop's roadside stand not far from home.
Use Egg Cartons to Keep Squash Off the GroundUse egg cartons to prop your vegetables up out of the dirt in your garden when they get too heavy.
Drag Bed Springs to Grade a Dirt DrivewayIf you have a dirt driveway or lane, this tip is for you. Our lane is 1/4 mile long, and it gets worse every year with deep holes. As soon as it gets wet, either from snow and rain, or from the neighbor's irrigation system, it gets soft and we sink into the mud.
Use Forks as Garden MarkersUse old forks as garden markers. Simply "weave" your seed packets through the tines on forks you no longer use. Stick them in the garden to mark your rows. Even plastic forks could be used, but be sure they are firmly pushed in the ground.
Save Cereal Liners For Hot House CoversI save the liner bag from cereal boxes; they are like heavy wax paper. They make great hot house covers for plant starts or to protect small garden plants from early spring frost.
Ask Cemetery Groundskeepers To Save Gardening SuppliesThink green when starting seeds in the spring! I went to local cemeteries around Memorial Day the year prior and had the groundskeepers save the packs and trays, for me. It saved me from having to buy them!
Use a Scoop for Potting PlantsYou know how difficult it is to scoop up potting soil when potting plants? Well, they make a wonderful tool for that, one that I had not seen and was pointed out to me.
Using Newspaper Under MulchI use newspaper, at least double paged around my plants, then I put mulch on top. It helps to keep plant roots moist, all but eliminates weeds, and by the time the garden is to be tilled the next season, the newspaper has decomposed, and helps to enrich the soil.
Use 2 Liter Bottles for Watering Your GardenIt is always so hot here in the summer and I like to have flowers and vegetables on my deck and in the yard, but can't afford the water bills to keep them watered between times of rain.
Count Plants in Starts Before You BuyWhen buying any type of plant; vegetable, bedding plants, or houseplants; always count the number of actual plants in the container.
Bargain Plants at Garden CentersHave a green thumb and a tight budget? I have found that if I go to garden centers in the big box home improvement stores on the day after their vendors go through the plants, I can find some real bargains.
Golf Bag As A Tool CaddyDon't know what to do with that old golf bag and cart? Try using it as a tool caddy.
Pine Sap RemovalMy sister says for pine sap removal from her car, and other items in her yard she uses hand sanitizing gel. It works wonderfully.
Packing Peanuts in Net Bags for Plant ContainersLike many others I use packing peanuts in my flower containers. I don't have to use as much potting soil, and it keeps my containers lighter. This year I went to go change out the soil in my biggest container. I had to hand pick out each peanut from the soil. What a chore! When I went to replace the peanuts this time, I put them in an onion net bag and tied the bag off. Next time I go to change out the potting soil it will be a snap!
Collect Shower Water For PlantsI use a 4 quart ice cream pail to catch the cool water while waiting for the water to get hot to take my shower. I usually have a full pail and use this water to water my plants.
Use a Disposable Cake Platter as a Mini GreenhouseI bought a cake for my daughter's birthday and I was trying not to waste anything. So I decided to use the cake platter and clear plastic lid as a mini greenhouse. I can start some of my perennials in January, so by mid June I should have quite a bunch of plants to plant.
