| A
small length of hosepipe wound between
plants helps keep off cats and birds as
they don't like snakes. |
1 |
|
2 |
Protect tender plants during winter by
lining hanging baskets with straw then
turn over and place over plant. |
| A
piece of wood placed upright in a plastic
water barrel will prevent the barrel splitting
when it freezes. |
3 |
|
4 |
An
old plastic sweet jar (available from
most sweetshops) makes an ideal propagator.
Lay sweet jar horizontally and place plant
tray inside. Replace lid. |
| To
"age" new garden statues, smear
with natural yoghurt. Algae will
quickly cover the item making it look
older. |
5 |
|
6 |
If
you don't have a spreader for dry fertilizer
etc., use an old coffee jar. Drill
holes into the plastic lid, fill with
fertiliser which can then be shaken as
and when required. |
|
Plant bulbs in a buried flower pot which
can then be lifted when bulbs have finished
flowering. |
7 |
|
8 |
To
water hanging baskets slowly and gently.
Place a handful of ice cubes in the centre
of the basket overnight. The cubes
will thaw slowly and water the plants. |
| If
you have problems with moles in the garden,
find the run and place a small piece of
gorse in the bottom. The prickles
on the gorse will stop them returning. |
9 |
|
10 |
Alternatively, a child's "windmill"
(the sort you get at the seaside) poked
into the ground above the run causes vibrations
which deters moles. |
| Cut
top and bottom off large plastic bottles
to use as sleeve and arm protectors when
pruning or hedging. |
11 |
|
12 |
Banana skins placed around rose bushes
will rot down and provide nutrients. |
| Line
flower pots with damp paper when planting
as this will help preserve moisture. |
13 |
|
14 |
A
natural way of removing flying insects/eggs
etc. in greenhouses is by using a vacuum
cleaner. |
| To
prevent ladders sinking into foliage when
hedging, get a piece of timber approximate
4ft in length and nail two short lengths
of drainpipe the same width as your ladder,
at right angles. (making a sort of ---H---
shape). Place the top edge of your
ladder into the drainpipes. The
plank spreads the weight across the hedge. |
15 |
|
16 |
Wipe
tools with an oily rag before putting
them away to keep them in good order for
next time. |
