Gardening Tips and Life Hacks

Spring is nearly upon us and gardening talks have begun. The key to having a successful garden is being ahead of the curve by pre-planning. In fact, it can keep a few dollars in your pocket. Here are some unique hacks that can help you maintain a healthy garden simply.

• Hack #1: Use newspaper and cardboard to smother weeds.

• Hack #2: Use Vinegar, dish soap, and salt as a DIY weed killer.

• Hack #3: Use coffee grounds and citrus peels as natural insect repellant and fertilizer.

• Hack #4: Use biodegradable materials for at home seedling starters.

• Hack #5: Water the garden bed in the morning and potted plants at night.

• Hack #6: Water plants with cooking water and chamomile tea.

Hack #1: Use newspaper and cardboard to smother weeds

You can use unwanted cardboard and newspapers are perfect to smother pesky weeds in your garden. To do this properly, wet the paper so it is dripping and falling apart. Then spread it out along the bottom of your gardening area. After this is done, you are going to need to cover it with your choice of dirt, mulch, or grass clippings. This aids in keeping the papers in place and smothering the weeds. Since your supplies are biodegradable, you won’t do any harm outside of the weeds.

Hack #2: Use Vinegar, dish soap, and salt as a DIY weed killer

If getting on your hands and knees to get rid of weeds is not your style, you could always make a DIY weed killer using items already found around the house. You will need vinegar, dish detergent, and salt. This trio will give weeds nightmares. You will need to mix the following in a (32 oz.) bottle:

1. 4 tablespoons of salt
2. 2 teaspoons of dish detergent.
3. Top it off with vinegar

Once your solution is complete you’re ready to spray the weeds away. Be mindful of your application, because salt can hinder soil and other plants.

Hack #3: Use coffee grounds and citrus peels as natural insect repellant and fertilizer

Wouldn’t it be nice to fertilize and repel pest simultaneously? Look no further than coffee grounds and citrus peels. Coffee grounds are great because many pests do not like the smell. In addition, coffee provides the soil with nitrogen. Citrus peels also deter pests and add nutrients to the soil as they decompose.

Hack #4: Use biodegradable materials for at home seedling starters

It is very important to choose the materials you use when planting seedlings wisely. Biodegradable materials are ideal and allow you to plant them directly in the ground with your seedling sprout. All of the following are great options:

• Citrus Fruit peels
• Toilet Paper rolls
• Egg shells
• Egg cartons
• Ice cream cones
• Newspaper

Hack #5: Water plants with cooking water and chamomile tea

Water is one of the most important ingredients needed to have a thriving garden, if not THE most important. The next time you steam vegetables or boil pasta, don’t be too quick to dispose of the water down the sink. It’s full of nutrients, so save it for your garden’s next scheduled watering! Chamomile Tea is another option your plants will be happy to drink. It is a high source of sulfur, which helps prevent fungal diseases (damping-off) and keeps plants healthy.

Hack #6: Water the garden bed in the morning and potted plants at night

When you water your plants is just as important! In a garden bed, it is best to do it in the morning so the soil has time to absorb the water before the noon sun’s heat hits. On the other hand, potted plants should be watered in the afternoon, as they dry out quickly in the heat.

Now that you’re equipped with these hacks, it’s time to get the garden you’ve always wanted. To make the gardening process easier, be sure to get your tools from HomElectrical.com. Good luck and good planting!