Garden Photographs for Winter EnjoymentToday I went outside and was enjoying my garden so much, and I had an idea. I went around with my cell phone and took pictures of my favorite flowers in bloom. I have about 8 pictures that I can use as wallpaper on my phone. These pictures will to remind me of my lovely flowers in the dead of winter. I also managed to get a picture of a beautiful yellow monarch on our butterfly bush. What a treat!
Put Lotion on Hands Before Gardening GlovesBefore I start working in my garden, I put a thick coat of lotion on my hands then I put on my cotton garden gloves. When I finish in the garden, I pull off the gloves and have very soft hands.
Thin Rubber Gloves for WeedingWhen potting plants, I use the thin type rubber gloves that you can buy in a box and toss when finished. Works great for weeding too because you can "feel" what you are doing much better. I am not as inclined to pull something other than a weed if I have them on.
Test New Plants Before TransplantingIf you have little experience with a newly-purchased plant, try it out in its new spot for a few days still in its nursery pot. Be careful to keep it watered as the label directs, and watch it for signs of stress. The spot you've planned for it may not be right for that type of plant.
Use Paint Stir Sticks for Plant MarkersIf you garden, save any extra or leftover paint stir sticks. They make great markers for your plants in the garden. Just write the plant name on them in permanent magic marker.
Water Outdoor Plants While on VacationTo water outside plants while on vacation, simply bury a piece of yarn beside of plant and run the other end of yarn into a bucket of water. Presto! The plants will absorb water as needed. Happy gardening!
Keeping Your Trunk Clean When Hauling Gardening SuppliesMost people haul dirt and plants, etc. in their trunk. Keep it clean by spreading a cheap shower curtain in the car trunk to catch spills and dirt. The shower curtain can be washed.
Reusing Plastic Plant Pots for Starting GardensTo make starter flats, take large (quart to gallon size) soft plastic pots and cut off the bottom 2-3 inches (the hard plastic ones tend to splinter). If you want to divide the flat in sections, cut the remainder of the pot in strips and fit them into the flat.
Dollar General ClogsI wanted to recommend these shoes I got today at Dollar General for only $4. They are super comfy and lightweight plastic slipons. i will love to scoot them on to go outside for mail or firewood or to take out the trash.
Make a Garden Holder for Your Cell PhoneStay in touch while gardening by making a holster for a cordless phone out of an old shoe. Nail an old shoe to a stake and place it in the garden to hold the phone.
Organizing PlantsNeed help organizing your seeds? When planting seeds at any time, you don't need to buy expensive planting labels. You can use popsicle sticks, tongue depressors, or window blinds cut into smaller pieces.
Old Baby Gate For A TrellisDo you remember the old wooden baby gates? If you see one at a garage sale or an auction, they make an excellent trellis. I have a clematis growing on mine that I started this year.
Wading Pool For Yard WasteA large hard plastic baby pool makes a great container for cleaning up leaves and yard debris. Punch 2 holes in the side and run a rope through to make a handle so you can drag it around.
Milk Jug Watering TipKeep your garden hydrated with this easy (and green!) tip: Take a clean 1 gallon milk jug, poke a small hole in the bottom with a nail, fill it with water, and recap it.
Wire Coathangers For GardeningRe-use old coathangers by twisting to desired shape to hold climbing plants, like roses, in place on lattice or wire structures. Once the cane is trained, you can remove and use elsewhere.
Green Thread For Plant SupportI got some slightly wilted potted mums after Easter. There was a green string/light thread left over from wherever they had been bought.
Get Discounted Plants At Lowe'sAt Lowe's, they reduce their older plants to 10 cents each when new fresher plants come in. Some of these plants were originally $2.99 and $4.99.
Recycling In The GardenFor a year I saved all the plastic bottles, paper egg cartons, towel and toilet paper cardboard rolls for such a time as this: When most of my seedlings got up with their first leaves, not yet with their "true leaves", I was in the midst of mixed weather, having to bring them in and outside a lot.
Moving Large PlantersLarge planters can be very difficult to move. Since most planters are wider on top than on the bottom, they can be difficult to move with a hand truck. If you have an old skateboard lying around, try moving the planters with it.
Finding Cheap PlantsThe best way to get cheap plants is from fellow gardeners. Ask your neighbor if you can have a start or take a cutting of one of their plants.
Prevent Invasive Plants From Taking OverWhen planting a plant that is liable to take over your garden, it is best to get a small plastic bucket and set it into a previously dug hole.
Double Gloves for Gardening in WinterWant to keep your hands warm while working outside during these cold winter months?
Look Locally for What Grows WellOne simple way for a beginning gardener to see what works in the local micro-climate is to look around and see what plants are flourishing...
Protecting Knees While GardeningTo protect your knees when gardening, sew patch pockets on the knee area of your pants. Slip sponges or soft foam into the pocket. When you bend or kneel, these knee savers won't move or fall off. They're always ready and available when you want to use them.
Sharpening Shears or a Pruning KnifeYou can sharpen a pruning knife or shears with a clay flowerpot. Just use the edge of the pot as a sharpening stone.
Using Disposable Diapers In The GardenDisposable nappies (diapers), yep those things that millions and millions of are disposed of in rubbish bins all over the world every day, can be used in your garden. Remove the plastic outer and other unwanted 'bits', (or just use the "cleanish" ones), and put it in a bucket of water.
Keep Gloves Handy in the GardenI often pass by my garden, and have found that I consistently pull little weeds out from the soil. Then I have to spend a few minutes trying to get the dirt out from under my fingernails. Now I leave an extra old pair of gardening gloves outside, right by the garden.
Frisbee as a Mulch SpreaderOn a fluke, I picked up a Frisbee in the yard and used it to distribute mulch from the bag and haven't used anything since. It gives enough leverage to spread the right amount around each plant and sure beats trying to pick the bag up and control the amount you pour out.
Moisturizing While You GardenGardening, even with gloves on, can dry out your hands. Apply petroleum jelly or hand lotion to your hands before putting on your gardening gloves and your hands will be soft and smooth after a day of gardening.
Cleaning Tiller TinesThis year we decided to have a garden of our own. So my husband bought a new toy, a tiller. The problem is cleaning the tines when he's finished.
Make Some Gardening PantsMake a pair of gardening pants out of an old pair of jeans. Sew the pockets from a pair of old pants on the knees of a pair of jeans. Then stuff the pockets with some foam rubber. These built in knee pads really save your knees. Just remove the foam rubber when you wash the pants.
Cleaning Philodendron LeavesCleaning philodendron leaves with a cotton ball saturated with milk will remove the dust and let them shine, shine, shine! After wiping off each leaf gently, let air dry.
Pantyhose for PlantsUse old, clean pantyhose to gently adhere plants to stakes while they are growing. Simply stretch pantyhose and cut both legs into rings.
Keeping and Organizing Plant TagsTo keep those plant tags handy pop them into a small photo album that you would slide pictures into. You can get photo albums for a reasonable price at the dollar store.
Raking the Leaves Onto a TarpIt's the time of year for raking leaves! Make it easier on your back by using an old sheet, large tablecloth or discarded shower curtain as a tarp.
Coffee Can Ash ApplicatorA coffee can makes a handy shaker for applying ashes to your garden. Simply punch holes in the plastic lid with a leather punch, fill the can with ashes, and you're ready to go.
Shoe Covers in the GardenPlastic food storage bags make great shoe covers when you're working in the muddy garden. Slip 2 bags over each shoe and secure them with rubber bands around your ankles.
Plastic Knives as Row MarkersSave those plastic knives from your picnic to make durable row markers. Mark plant variety and planting date with permanent marker. Push knife with handle side in the ground.
BBQ Tongs for Picking DewberriesIf you have ever went out to pick dewberries, you know how hard they are to get without getting stuck with all the little prickly vines they grow on. I have came up with the best idea how to get around this problem, a long pair of BBQ tongs.
Use Styrofoam in Large PotsPlanting large flower pots. Use styrofoam to fill the pots half way. This provides good drainage and makes it easier to move the pots.
Use Newspapers as Stepping StonesWe use newspapers (minus the glossy/slick ads) in our garden as stepping stones. If you have a low spot that always gets muddy, you can put down a layered section.
