ARTICLES

Top Twenty Gardening Tips

1. To prevent animals from digging up and eating your bulbs before

you plant them, wrap them in a thin layer of steel wool.

2. Washing up liquid makes a great insecticidal soap when you mix it

with water. Take 1 to 3 tablespoons of washing up liquid, mix it

into 1 gallon of water, put it in a spray bottle and spray the entire

plant.

3. Cut fresh flower stems at an angle, it creates a larger surface area

for the flower to draw up more water and remember to put your

flowers into water immediately, if you don't, air pockets will form in

the stems and cause the flowers to droop.

4. When planting trees bury some old garden hose alongside the

roots, when you fill in the hole, leave the other end of the garden

hose out of the ground. This allows you to water the roots directly.

5. A bit of gardening advice is to use bubble wrap to line the pots of

container grown plants. It will keep them warm during the winter

months.

6. Use old knitwear or newspapers for a low cost hanging basket

liner.

7. Make sure you get a level edge when pruning garden hedges by

fastening a length of rope to two points across the top.

8. Salted boiling water makes an excellent weed killer on paths and

driveways.

9. Stop cats climbing into your garden by spraying your wooden

fences with surgical spirit.

10. Deter dogs with unwanted perfume and aftershave and liberal

sprinklings of pepper.

11. If you plant seeds in a straight line, you'll be able to spot weeds as

they come up.

12. Use a length of garden hose or drainpipe to sow seeds if you have

difficulty bending down.

13. This gardening tip will give your plants an instant pick-me-up.

Give them a drink of non-diet coca cola.

14. Always water your lawn in the evening. This allows time for the

moisture to soak in overnight and prevents burnt spots.

15. Cut up old margarine tubs and use them to create plant labels.

16. Keep your drainpipes and guttering clear by inserting a ball of

galvanized steel wool into the opening. It acts as a filter and

prevents the pipes from becoming blocked.

17. Bring a sparkle back to your greenhouse windows by rubbing them

with scrunched up newspaper dipped in water and vinegar.

18. Don't use cold water straight from the tap to water your

houseplants. Fill your watering can the night before so that the

water is at room temperature.

19. During a long spell of hot weather, leave grass clippings on the

lawn to act as mulch.

20. Garden boots and wellies starting to smell? Cut an orange into two

and place one half in each overnight. It works great.