Garden hacks

Recently a reader wanted some garden “hacks” that really work. We all buy and use products made for a specific use in our yards but sometimes it is fun to try a good old-fashioned remedy or trick.

Years ago in our Golden Triangle Master Gardener class I met so many folks who grew up gardening. They knew so much about plants and weeds and homemade remedies and potions. Yes, a book from these knowledgeable gardeners would be a great idea!

One of the master gardener suggestions sounded pretty odd to me but she swore that it works. If you are plagued with squirrels and other animals in your vegetable garden, she had a chemical free solution. She used plastic forks! Stick the smooth top end of a bunch of forks into the ground all over your garden area. If and when local rabbits or squirrels decide to visit your vegetable garden the tines will deter them. Just one scratch of stick of a tine scares them away. They will think the fork tines are predators and stay away.

Don’t forget that strong smelling herbs like mint and thyme growing around your space will keep little animals away, too. And mosquitos hate the smell of mint. Really have a mosquito problem? Fill a spray bottle with water and concentrated mint oil. The plants in your patio area will love the spray of mint water, but mosquitos and little rodents will not. If you have extra bars of strong-smelling soap lying around, they can be hidden in discreet areas around outdoor container plants on the patio to further deter pesky mosquitos.

If you want a gentle watering can action for sensitive plants and don’t have a real watering can just re-use a gallon or half gallon milk or orange juice container. Poke some fine holes on the top side opposite the handle, fill with water and enjoy the free watering can.

If you are going to be out of town for a few days and want to make sure that a potted plant gets water I heard of another trick. Just drill a very small hole or two in the top of an empty screw top wine or other glass bottle. Fill bottle with water, replace lid and invert the bottle into your potted plant for a “slow water.” Bob Vila suggests using a plastic milk jug and opening it enough to stuff an old sock into it. Pierce tiny holes on the bottom sides, fill with water and place the “invention” down into a garden area to keep it slowly watered.

I love this one. I’m always replanting in a pot and looking for just the right size of pebble to cover the hole from escaping soil while still letting it drain a little. Why not try a stack of coffee filters over that hole, especially in a tiny container with a tiny drain hole?

This one is great, too. When you have planted a new fragile small plant, it may need a little extra protection for a few days. Cut the bottom off of a gallon milk jug and put it over the plant to make a little mini greenhouse. An acquaintance of mine starts seeds outside a little early in the spring. If a cold night threatens, she simply turns a large clear plastic storage container upside down over the plant for the night, an instant greenhouse.

Have a lot of those plant tags but want to save them for reference? Just punch a hole into the end of each and put onto a standard metal keyring. If you paint the handles of your small garden hand tools with bright neon yellow, pink or orange paint you won’t ever lose them again.

Have an area that you may want to garden in or make a planting bed? Heavily cover the area with cardboard pieces and old newspapers, like shingles. After this cover is very thick add mulch over top and water and wait. In about two months the area should be ready to plant.

When you start seeds directly into the soil you will probably get better germination rates if you place an old window screen over the seed trays or pots. Weigh down the corners with heavy objects. Once the seedlings start to germinate remove the screen. Start seeds in empty egg cartons. When the plant starts to germinate, if you use the cardboard egg container you don’t even have to remove the plant from the tray before planting directly into the soil.

I’d love for you to share your personal gardening hacks and tricks, lotions and potions recipes. 

If you have questions or comments about anything gardening, email Joette at joreger@msn.com.