Pot Drainage from Garlic MeshInstead of spending money on mesh netting for flower pot drainage, you can make your own for free with general items you probably already purchase.
Save Soil if Planting SucculentsSucculents have shallow roots and do not require much soil. You can fill a giant pot with other items like cartons, planters, containers, etc. to save soil.
Growing Vegetable SeedsGrow vegetable seeds in smaller pots or a small garden plot. The seeds will grow better than being just scattered around a big plot. When you throw seeds in a wide space, there is little chance that you see the tiny plant growing. It can be lost among wild grasses and not recognized as your seedling at first.
Re-Potting Ferns and Trailing House PlantsRe-potting ferns and trailing plants or vines can really get tricky without a lot of damage to the plants. Here's a quick (and Thrifty!) idea to protect your plants during re-potting, and it makes planting much easier for you!
Doubling Your Tomato CropI stirred in a slow release organic veggie fertilizer, crushed egg shells (and/or oyster shells), along with peat moss, vermiculite, compost, and a bit of potting soil. The shells will slowly release calcium which prevents blossom end rot.
Planting an Avocado SeedIf you were lucky enough to have your avocado seed sprout, then you will now need to plant it. Choose a pot that is big enough that you won't have to repot it right away.
Plant Labels, Mini Cloche, and Drip Trays From Plastic Milk BottlesUse your old plastic milk bottles for cutting into plant labels. I use the straight sides. A permanent marker is best for writing on. Then the bottom can be used as a drip tray. Also if you just cut the bottom off, the top can be used as a mini cloche. You can make a handy scoop too.
Use Coffee Filters When Potting PlantsWhen potting plants or 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 and making a mess in the saucer.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones Have ChangedBecause of climate change, our growing zone has officially changed. I am in the Washington DC area. So, check your zone and plan your planting timetable accordingly.
They Will Grow Wherever They are...Most gardeners know that you can grow vegetables in pots instead of putting them in the ground. In our garden, we do both. Buying pots can be very expensive, so we started looking at everyday objects to find cheap and, sometimes, decorative alternatives.
Pin to Identify SeedsWhen starting flowers from seed, I mark each hydrated pod with a push pin to identify which pods contain a particular flower. For example, yellow for marigolds, red for zinnias, blue for petunias, etc.
Research Before PlantingI decided that this year I am going to add celery to my garden. I am glad I researched it first, because I found out I needed to start celery early. I also discovered that celery seeds that are 2-3 years old work better than younger seeds.
Use Canning Lids for Marking Your SeedsDon't discard those canning lid rings when they no longer are suitable for canning use. They are handy in the garden when you have young ones helping you with the gardening. Plant your seeds in the center of the rings or place the rings over young seedlings.
Using Straw Bales For GardeningThis idea is very old, my grandmother used to have straw bale gardens. It was great for her not to have to stoop over to pick and weed her garden.
Planting In Potting Soil BagsWe found in Mother Earth News how to garden without having to till the soil. We are renting a home and really do not want to put too much work into garden spot. Plant straight into the bags.
Set Plants Together Before You BuyThe key to putting plants together is to go to a large greenhouse and look at all of the plants. Then find ones you like and put them in the "circle" you are going to plant them in. This will allow you to see if something is too dark, or not the right color to be in the clump of new flowers.
Recommendations For Plants Along DrivewayCan anyone suggest a good tree and bush to go up our 280 foot driveway. We had some and had to yank them out to do a sewer. I would like a tree about 20+ feet tall for privacy, fast growing, small roots as we have a about a 5 foot wide area between driveways.
Growing Tomatoes In Black Plastic BagsAnother poster on here mentioned using black plastic bags as containers for growing tomatoes. I was wondering if anyone could elaborate on that method?
Use Wet Toothpicks To Sow SeedsIt is "sow" (pardon the pun) hard to sow small seeds into seed planters trying to get a head start on outdoor plants. But I had wooden toothpicks separating the seeds and I just wet the toothpick and a single seed would stick to it and I could then put it where I wanted it.
Starting an Avocado From a SeedI was wondering if anyone knows on how too start an Avocado Tree from a seed.
Keep Shrubs and Trees Away from the HouseKeep trees, shrubs or other vegetation trimmed so they don't rub against your home. They may be moved to another location, if foliage persistantly contacts the siding on your home, windows or utility penetrations such as dryer vents, etc.
Reusing Broken Terra Cotta PlantersWhen one of my terra cotta planters crack, or break, I take a hammer and remove the broken side and then place the good half in front of a plant in my garden.
