10 Unusual Gardening Hacks That Actually Work
Perhaps you’re envious of your neighbor’s lush garden, while you struggle to keep your
plants alive.
Or maybe you’re just looking for some useful gardening tips and hacks.
In either case, you’ve come to the right place!
Though keeping plants alive is not as difficult as many people think, having them truly thrive
requires a bit of extra effort and attention.
And whether you’re just getting into gardening or have been growing beautiful plants for
years, there’s always more to learn!
The gardening hacks I’m about to share with you may sound strange, but they’ve proven
to be effective for many gardeners and could be just what your plants need to reach their
full potential.
Number 1 - Strengthen Seedlings with Chamomile Tea
One of the most challenging parts of gardening is getting your seedlings to thrive and survive.
Many seedlings become weak and develop a yellowing of the leaves, which can be a sign of damping
off.
Chamomile is known to have antifungal properties that boost the health of the seedlings and
prevent them from this common problem.
Simply spray your seedlings with cold chamomile tea daily.
Number 2 - Use Honey to Propagate Cuttings
Using honey is a great way to increase your success rate when propagating cuttings.
It’s a natural, organic material with minerals and enzymes that help the plant ‘root’
properly.
Just take a stem cutting and dip the cut end into honey before you insert it into the growing
medium.
This helps the cutting establish itself and encourages faster and better rooting.
Number 3 - Feed Your Plants Leftover Cooking Water
Cooking water contains nutrients like minerals, vitamins, and organic matter.
So rather than pouring it down the drain, use it as a natural fertilizer.
This simple act can save you water while also making a difference in the health of your
plants.
Just make sure to let it cool down completely before you do this.
Number 4 - Keep Snails and Slugs Away with Eggshells
If you’re looking for an inexpensive and natural way to protect your garden from slugs
and snails, sprinkle some crushed eggshells around your plants!
The jagged edges of the shells will prevent these little creatures from crawling all over
your plants.
Additionally, the shells will break down over time, providing your plants with a much-needed
calcium boost.
Number 5 - Prevent Messes with Coffee Filters
Do you feel like your potting soil is taking over your home?
Are you tired of constantly sweeping up the dirt that falls out from the bottom of your
potted plants?
Well, there’s a genius solution to this pesky problem.
Line your plant pots with coffee filters!
The coffee filters are porous and allow water to pass through while they also act as a barrier
to keep the soil inside.
Plus, they’re inexpensive and easy to find.
Number 6 - Bury Pennies to Keep Fungus at Bay
Growing plants can be a very rewarding experience.
But sometimes, the soil can become infected with fungi, which can cause significant damage.
One solution to this problem is using copper-based fungicides.
These products can be very effective.
However, they can also be quite expensive.
A good alternative is burying some copper pennies in the soil.
It’s a much more affordable way to get the same result as using commercial fungicides.
The copper will slowly leach into the soil, killing fungal spores, providing your plants
with much-needed relief.
Number 7 - Make a DIY Weed Killer with Vinegar
Weeds can be a major nuisance in any garden.
Not only are they unsightly, but they can also choke out other plants and take over
your garden.
Turns out, vinegar is an excellent, natural, and affordable way to eliminate garden weeds.
Mix a gallon of distilled vinegar with two tablespoons of liquid dish soap and one cup
of salt.
Then, spray this solution directly on the weeds.
Repeat this process for a few days, or until the weeds are dead.
Number 8 - Deter Pets and Wild Animals with Plastic Forks
Isn’t it annoying to see your hard work and effort destroyed by wild animals?
Or watching stray cats use your garden as their litter box?
This can be an especially damaging problem in the spring and summer months when your
garden is at its peak.
By strategically inserting the handles of plastic forks throughout your garden area,
you can deter these unwanted visitors from ruining your plants.
The plastic forks will create an unpleasant texture that animals won’t want to walk
on or dig through, thus keeping them away from your garden.
Number 9 - Keep Garden Tools Clean and Sharp with Sand and Mineral Oil
If you’re a gardener, you know just how important it is to keep your tools in good
condition.
But normal wear and tear, not to mention rust and dirt, can significantly reduce the life
of your tools.
To make your very own self-cleaning and self-sharpening garden tool holder, mix half a gallon of sand
with 1 cup of mineral oil in a bucket.
The sand’s abrasive nature helps keep your tools sharp, and the mineral oil will protect
them from rust.
Number 10 - Protect Your Nails with Soap
It’s no secret that gardening can be a dirty job and can take a toll on your hands and
nails.
An easy and convenient trick is to rub your nails over a soap bar before you get down
and dirty.
This creates a barrier that can be easily washed off when you’re finished with your
gardening tasks.
These hacks aren’t traditional gardening methods, but they are great ways to save some
money or make things a bit easier.
So think outside the box!
Consider trying some of these unusual gardening hacks - and see what happens!
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