15 Gardening Hacks Every Beginner Needs to Know
Thinking of growing a garden? While we think gardening is all giggles and roses, it’s incredibly challenging, especially for beginners. Perhaps it’s the maintenance, the attention, or the knowledge, but you can’t just become a great gardener by planting a few seeds and calling it a day. However, we’ve got some great tips that’ll get you on the right track.
Reuse Coffee Grounds
Who knew you could repurpose coffee grounds to grow a great garden? Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen and micronutrients, so your plant can get enrichment from other sources besides fertilizer. Coffee grounds also prevent moisture, so your plants won’t overwater. Of course, they’re not a standalone nutrient, but mix in with compost, and you’ve got a great deal.
Use Banana Peels As Fertilizer
This tip works wonders, but you must tread lightly. Banana peels are rich in potassium, so grinding and mixing them with your fertilizer or compost will benefit your plants by boosting growth and promoting flowers. However, banana peels only work with plants that need that extra potassium, so ensure you’re not being too generous with them.
Eggshells For Pest Control
If your garden frequently encounters pests like garden snakes and common slugs, a simple weed barrier might not be enough to ward them off. You can use crushed eggshells for that; they are too sharp for these pesky visitors, so they’ll leave your garden alone. Eggshells are also rich in calcium and boost soil health.
Plant Garlic With Roses
As pretty as roses are, they attract a lot of aphids, which can affect your garden’s health. Planting a few cloves of garlic with roses will keep aphids and other pests away because it is a natural pest repellent. Garlic is also one of the few plants that won’t compete with roses for nutrients, so your garden won’t have trouble blooming.
Sprinkle Cinnamon
No, we’re not pulling your leg; this exotic spice does more than improve fall desserts. Cinnamon’s antifungal properties aren’t limited to us; they’re a great deterrent for damping off disease (caused by various fungi). They’re also one of the few additives that won’t actively interfere with your garden’s health, so they’re a great addition.
Use Aspirin Water
This tip might sound silly, but if you’re dealing with plants that quickly pick up diseases, like tomatoes or roses, or are dying, adding aspirin water will save them. Dissolve one aspirin in a gallon of water and spray the mixture over the plants. However, ensure you’re not using it regularly; that could potentially cause the opposite of what you want.
Use Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is rich in magnesium and sulfate, nutrients that boost photosynthesis and similar processes, making it one of the best natural fertilizers. You can use Epsom salt like aspirin water; dissolve a tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and spray your plants once a month to promote blooming.
Make A Natural Bug Spray
Dealing with pesky bugs is a nightmare, but most insecticides contain chemicals that can disrupt plant growth. You can make a natural bug spray using soap; mix a couple of drops of dish soap with water and spray it over your plants to keep those critters away. It might sound insane, but dish soap keeps pests away without harming your plants.
Line Pots With Coffee Filters
If you have leaky pots, lining them with coffee filters is the best way to ensure the soil stays where it’s supposed to. Coffee filters prevent soil from leaking and allow water to pass through. They also create the perfect humid environment for some plants to grow, so you won’t have to bend over your back while tending to your garden.
Use Aluminum Foil To Deter Pest
Do you know how aluminum foil often reflects light, leading to sudden sensitivity? It does the same thing for aphids, birds, and other pesky creatures that might want to take a chunk of your plants. Laying strips of aluminum foil around the base of your plant ensures pests will stay away, so you won’t have to mourn over the loss of half-eaten fruit every time you tend to your garden.
Save Rainwater for Watering
Collecting rainwater is an easy way to water your garden and save on your water bill. Just put a container outside when it rains, then use that water for your plants. Rainwater is also better for your plants since it doesn’t have the chemicals found in tap water. Plus, it’s a great way to make use of natural resources!
Use Vinegar to Get Rid of Weeds
Vinegar is a natural way to kill weeds. Just spray a little directly on the weeds to dry them out and stop them from spreading. Be careful not to spray it on your plants, though, as it can harm them too. It’s a simple, chemical-free way to control weeds, and it can help keep your garden looking tidy.
Recycle Wine Corks For Drainage
Putting stones in water is an old trick to prevent the water from evaporating. However, stones and pebbles can weigh down the soil and contribute to root rot. The best alternative for these stones is recycled wine corks; they’re the perfect shape, size, and material to allow for healthy drainage and are not too heavy.
Grow Plants in Recycled Containers
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on fancy pots to start your garden. Recycled items like yogurt cups, tin cans, or old buckets can work just as well. Just make sure you clean them properly and add drainage holes at the bottom. It’s a simple, budget-friendly, and eco-friendly way to reuse things you’d usually throw away while giving your garden a creative touch.
Use Damp Paper Towels
Some plants germinate faster and better if they’re sealed up in a dense, humid environment. Since you can’t travel to the rainforest, you can duplicate the conditions by placing seeds in a damp paper towel and storing them in a sealed plastic baggie. The dense, dark, and hot atmosphere will make them germinate easily.
More For You
Friends are perfect for helping us unwind, and they can be wonderful garden helpers, too! We can work side-by-side, sharing laughs while planting and growing.
This article was first published at Rbitaliablog.
