Whether you sow your own plants or your buy them from a garden centre it’s up to you to make sure that they stay healthy and disease free throughout their life cycle. Whether you’re a green fingered gardener or just starting out with looking after your plants there are some handy tips that you can follow which will ensure your plants stay healthy.
1. Propagate your Roses with Potatoes
Did you know that roses love potatoes? Apparently the popular spud is perfect for helping maintain the stanch of roses in the ground. Simply make a small hole in a medium sized potato and push the end of the rose stem in. Then plant the rose with the potato in the ground and get ready for beautiful blooming array of petals. Simply go to Amateur Gardening to find out more.
2. Use Nappies in Potted Plants
Yes, it doesn’t exactly fill me with joy, but if it helps my plants stay healthy I’m willing to try anything. Thankfully, though, the nappy doesn’t have to be dirty, so I guess that does make me feel better. By putting the nappy at the bottom of the potted plant container with soil on top this will help to retain water and will stop the annoying leaks. To find out more go to Sandpaper and Silly Putty.
3. Ground Eggshells to Powder
By grinding up eggshells into powder you can then sprinkle it on the ground around your plants for a lovely calcium boost. You can do this easily by simply using a blender. To find out more check out Graceful Little Honey Bee.
4. Use Old Coffee Grounds
By using old coffee ground it acts as a great fertiliser as you will be providing vital nutrients to your plants and keep away unwanted pests at the same time. It is believed that pests such as rabbits and squirrels aren’t too fussed on coffee, which means more growing time for your plants. To find out more check out Eclipse Awning.
5. Homemade Weed Spray
Weeds have the ability to get on a gardeners last nerve, but there are ways in which these returning pests can be dealt with. However, instead of buying weed killer, which can often be expensive and bad for the environment, why not make your own? You won’t need much. You only require white vinegar, table salt, and liquid dish soap. To find out more go to Grandmother Musings.
6. Make a Mini Greenhouse for Your Seeds
To get your seedlings off to a great start why not make a mini greenhouse for them. You can use a large milk jug, which will house your seeds perfectly. Place dirt, a little manure and your seeds in the milk jug and you’ll soon see little green shoots sprouting through. To find out more go to Five Spot Green Living.
7. Use a Plastic Bottle for Irrigation
In order to make sure that your plants receive the maximum amount of water without oversupplying them consider using a plastic bottle that has holes pushed into it. This way you can fill the water bottle up and the water will slowly seep through the soil giving the plants a thorough watering below the soil surface. To find out more check out You Grow Girl.
8. Start Seedlings in an Eggshell
In order to give your seedlings the best chance consider growing them in eggshells. Smaller plants tend to be more fragile and need a little help to remain strong. To keep them upright put them in eggshells before sowing your seed. Once they are big enough you can then place them outside in the ground still in the eggshell. To find out more go to Squawk Fox.
9. Use Epsom Salt for a Healthy Ground
Using Epsom salt is considered to be good for the ground due to the fact that it improves a plants blooming period and enhances colour. Made up of magnesium it allows the plants to take up vital nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. To find out more go to Gardening Know How.
10. Use Rainwater
With water droughts coming and going particularly during the summer months it’s a good idea to always have a supply of rainwater on hand for your plants. Not only that, but rainwater holds more nutrients than tap water and is much better for the growth of your plants. To find out more go to Homemade by Momma.
