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Posted by amyfleur (U2503469) on Thursday, 29th March 2007
I expect lots of people know these - BUT not everyone!
TIP 1 : Get rid of blackfly from the lush new growth on roses. Using a cheap spray bottle (or recycle an old one), fill with water and a few drops of washing up liquid, spray your roses. Leave one hour and re-spray with fresh clean water. All blackfly should be dead.
TIP 2 : Slugs - sprinkle some salt over slugs (which are prevalent at night). They will soon shrivel and die.
ps. Juliet gave me the inspiration to start this thread (if anyone else is interested to partake). She has a great tip for 'turning alkaline water acid'. Hopefully she will add her post to this thread.
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
, in reply to message 1.
Posted by princessanabana (U2421659) on Thursday, 29th March 2007
Hi - I have recently discovered a really useful tip when sowing seed - I use individual modules / baby pots ( to prevent the need for so much pricking out) and moved them around depnding on germination until I had no idea what was in each pot.This year I have labelled one pot and put cut up coloured straws or coloured lollypop sticks in each of the same variety, so when I move them around, I can refer to the key and know what they are. I did the same to autumn sweet pea sowing ( retrospectively - but I hadn't muddled them up by that stage) and when I put them in the garden the other week, the lollysticks went with them - so when they flower I will still know the variety. Probably not explaining this well, but I thought it was brilliant when I saw it !!
Regards - PA
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
You've explained it very well Princess. It so makes sense.
I spend ages writing each and every label out.
Nice one.
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
Here you go Amyfleur - "If you do not have a supply (of rainwater), you can turn alkaline water acid by adding a teabag to the watering can 24 hours before watering." - not my tip though - I got it from Alan Titchmarsh on the Crocus site.
Here's one which is mine - if you have a lot of mixed up different-coloured bulbs & you want to sort them into individual colours, but don't want to move them until after they've finished flowering, loosely loop colour-coded kitchen twisters round their stems so that you can remember which is which.
And here's one I read somewhere & now can't remember where - I've just posted it on the Azalea thread, but it bears repeating:
Put a large plastic jug in the kitchen and another in the bathroom, & whenever you run the tap waiting for the water to get hot to wash or wash up or whatever, put a jug underneath. Then empty the jugs into your water butt (or if you don't have one, an old dustbin will do). We collect 4 litres a day like this (there are only 2 of us, & it would be more if we emptied the jugs more often!) and I hardly ever use the outside tap.
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
Oooh, this is a brilliant thread! I don't know any good tips yet, but i hope no one'll mind if I ping it for future reference?
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
Here's one I think I might have mentioned some time back on a thread that was talking about chrysanthemums.
If you want nice big bushy 'mums plants with lots of blooms in September/October, pinch back the plants in June/july. Don't let any buds they might send out at that time mature.
Happy pinching.
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when i have flowers delivered or bought,I cut the stems before putting in a vase, and stick the cut off bits in the ground. I have hd lots of interesting flowers from doing this. If they dont take I have lost nothing. Carnations are particularly easy.
GG
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Don't use your bum to test the ground temperature,unlike Captain Cabbage
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
But do use it as an innovative method of birth control (like Mrs Captain Cabbage)
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
Instead of putting slug pellets on the ground put them in an ice cream carton with a hole cut in the side.
Janet.
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
Good tip about the mums TT.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's one I recently posted on 'Clinic' for rockeries as I'm just getting into ALPINES and similar:
You can make use of nooks and crannies in garden walls and other small spaces to plant:
Sempervivums
Echeverias
Lewisias
as the free-draining conditions will prevent them rotting in the winter.
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When you prune Buxus Sempervirens, save the clippings for cuttings. They root very easily in gritty compost, particularly when dipped in hormone rooting compound.
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I agree pg. I took 4 box cuttings in the autumn and they all rooted. I have potted them into two shallow wide pots with some primroses for now and will pot on again when they get bigger.
Buxus are soooo expensive to buy as they get bigger yet so easy to 'grow your own' - and much more fun.
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
get a man to pee into your compost heap. Apparently it acts as an activator. I heard it here first!
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
What happens if a woman pees into the compost heap? Will it scorch the contents like my bitches do the lawn?
But then, will it matter!
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
If you buy a plant from a garden centre or nursery make sure that it as at least two, or preferably more, growing points. You can then split the plant when you get home and have several plants for the price of one.
Don't buy a plant in full flower. It is already past its best. Buy one with lots of unopened buds and you will then be able to enjoy it for a longer period of time.
Rather than plant your onion sets 6" apart as seems to be the general recommendation, make a shallow dril and plant them nearly touching up to 1" apart. As they grow you can pull alternate ones and use them as spring onions or for cooking, leaves as well. Eventually the onions left will be spaced far enough apart to develop into reasonable sized onions for storage.
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
, in reply to message 16.
Posted by princessanabana (U2421659) on Friday, 13th April 2007
Another tip I picked up on the clinic.May have a better use for nappies shorly but...........
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
some really good tips thanks. Pinging
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
oh PA!! - well done on the straw tip - will definitely use it.
Perhaps we need to send you some baby tips too?
My first one would be - get your babysitters lined up now so you can get some shuteye and strength for your gardening
Congratulations?
Hillydee
, in reply to message 19.
Posted by princessanabana (U2421659) on Tuesday, 17th April 2007
Oops - not me H - daughter - midwife is on the way to her as I type and my bag is packed, waiting for call to say this is the real thing!!!!
And yes, the straw tip is one of the best I have seen, I still know what all my seedlings are!
Take care - PA
well done anyway grandmama-to-be
used the coloured straws today in a 40 pot seedling tray. Brilliant idea - even hubby was impressed.
Hope all goes well with the big delivery and you can uncork the champers soon.
HillyDee
Some of us NornIrelanders are meeting up on Thursday evening - so must go and prep some stuff that I can give away....
, in reply to message 21.
Posted by princessanabana (U2421659) on Saturday, 21st April 2007
Hi HD - big day came at 1.15 am last Wed - I was there!
Glad your OH was impressed - is he into gardening? I still think it is one of the best tips I have ever seen, to keep me organised. Am getting kids to save lolly sticks and colour them for next year.
Take care - PA
, in reply to message 7.
Posted by misslambington (U7034479) on Saturday, 21st April 2007
can you give me a bit more info on this technique please - sounds fab!
xxx
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
, in reply to message 23.
Posted by misslambington (U7034479) on Saturday, 21st April 2007
sorry. thought previous message would be attached to tip on getting cuttings from bought flowers from florist.
xxx
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Here are a couple of tips
Use 1/2" strips of old tights or stockings as plant ties- they stretch and therefore don't cut into the plant.
Use empty yoghurt drink bottles as cone caps
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Cane caps not cone caps
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Pam!!!! I hope those pics weren't taken THIS year!
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That looks like the perfect veg garden Pam with every bit of space utelised
Wow
Px
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, in reply to message 27.
Posted by misslambington (U7034479) on Saturday, 21st April 2007
wow, georgeous garden lilylouise!
good tip too - makes more sense to me with the pics.
xxx
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Don't spend your money on ready made kneelers - next time you are chucking out some old pillows, put one in a heavy duty bin bag and use that
J
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Put vasiline around the side of pots to help keep slugs from climbing.
siamese
Save the containers when you buy strawberries (the flat-ish ones with the vented lids). They make perfect mini propagators that fit easily on a windowsill.
Lilylouise what a fantastic looking veg patch (do you ever sleep?)
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Hello misslambington u were asking about taking cuttings from bought flowers. All I do is cut below a shoot and then push into the ground. Sometimes a pot that has another plant in and sometimes straight into the ground, nothing clever.
Whilst I'm on has anyone any ideas for using pretty boxes which chocs or jewelley or hand creams came in. I hate throwing them away but have too many now.
I am now using my yoghurt pots for cane cones.
Please keep the tips coming.
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
Whilst I'm on has anyone any ideas for using pretty boxes which chocs or jewelley or hand creams came in. I hate throwing them away but have too many now.Â
You could use them for making your own greetings cards........
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Hi gutsy gran, I'm a hoarder so all my boxes and pretty gift bags are re-used in the greenhouse for:
labels / bits of paper & a pencil (always thinking of new ideas when I'm in there) / envelopes of seeds I have collected through the year / pretty stones (surprising how many come to the surface of the soil after heavy rain)
and in the house also:
craft bits & bobs / batteries waiting to be recharged / batteries that have 'been' recharged / larger gift boxes contains things like suncreams / tiny boxes or pots in various rooms for peppermints / photos waiting to be scrapped (that's scrapbooking not disposed) - ANY SCRAPPERS out there in GARDENING LAND?
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oh goodness don't get me started on scrapping - I drive my hubby bonkers when I get my box of goodies down to make a batch of cards - the bits go EVERYWHERE.
All these tips are great - I hope I remember them as I need them. I print out lots of stuff and bring it to the greenhouse - base centre for all things horticultural. It's mine - but I caught hubby napping down there last Saturday - he had the paper, the radio and a half drunk whilst I was out with the kids
He said it was so peaceful, calm and warm.
Yikes - anybody any tips on keeping unwanted bodies out of their greenhouse?
HillyDee
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Hi Hillydee, 'ONLY' a box. In the spare bedroom I have a chest of 5 drawers, a CD/DVD stand, and I'm now starting on the study, heavens forbid - the master's room! He's complaining already because he's soon to retire and wants to enlarge his philatelic collection (hundreds of albums).
We are supposed to be 'downsizing' in a couple of years and he doesn't know it yet but I am planning to have a summer house installed for my craft room. he,he.
I know what you mean though, you just can't tidy up at the end of the day, once you get started on your craft you want to keep going don't you.
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
Maybe an obvious one but always place your container where you want it before filling it with compost. They are lighter empty.
I have already turned a shed into a studio(not that I am any good at art but I like to try) I dont have a greenhouse but thanks for all the tips. As far as scrapping is concerned, I have been doing a journal of my life with stories and photos. It was something to keep me busy during the winter when not gardening. I have shed many tears recalling memories, and putting in photos of all my beautiful children, 4 of mine and now 10 grandchildren. When I have finished I will give all the spare photos to the relevant owners and that will save them sorting in years to come.
I have some nice garden pics in it from different houses. Still have to add this one.
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gutsy gran - that sounds wonderful. what a legacy to leave behind - must nudge my own mum to do something - our kids are always pestering me for "when I were a lass" stories - hers would be great too.
I know what you mean about memories and tears over photos - I'm a sucker for real photos - I hate it when the digital camera comes out (hubby) - so I buy the cheap disposables and click away at very little expense and I still have proper pics to rummage through.
I came across some of my dad lately and it took me over an hour to get back to what it was I was doing in the first place.... He died last year and it still chokes to think about it.
HillyDee
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
Was just looking for the tip about growing plants from bought flowers and saw loads of other useful stuff, so i thought I'd give it a ping
Link to this forum: TIPS thread - what gardening tip do you have to share?
My best tip is never sew a whole packet of seeds at once! Do you really need so many french marigolds! I have found this one very usefule for expensive and/or more difficult seeds.
Collect molehills for earthing up potatoes, by the time Mr Mole has redug another one, the potatoes will need more earthing up. It's partucularly good if the potatoes are in a newly made bed as you're adding nice crumbly topsoil.
Molehills can also be used to create a fine surface for sowing on a seed bed.
, in reply to message 43.
Posted by flumpetstrumpet (U2598678) on Wednesday, 30th May 2007
never sew a whole packet of seeds at once Â
Wish someone'd told me that before I ended up with about 2 million strawberry plants!!!
pingadingaling
See - you're getting there! Keep posting Astervista, great name by the way
Great thread, thanks. Ping!
Here's a new one I gleaned from another poster on another site.
If you have an old plastic blind, the slatted kind, remove all the slats and use as plant labels. They can be cut to all sizes.
Use the dried stalks from sunflowers to make supports for tomatoes and they can even be used to make a small garden trellis frame.
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