Spring is the perfect time to get back into the garden, and with a few expert tips, you can make your gardening tasks much easier and more efficient. Paul James, host of Gardening by the Yard, shares his top 14 gardening hacks to help you tackle your garden with confidence and creativity this season. From using leftover coffee grounds to repurposing clay pots, these simple tricks will save you time and effort, allowing you to enjoy your garden even more.
Paul James’ Top Gardening Tips:
Clean Salt-Stained Clay Pots: To remove unsightly salt deposits from clay pots, mix equal parts white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the pot, scrub with a plastic brush, and let the pot dry before planting.
Protect Your Nails from Dirt: Before you start gardening, drag your fingernails across a bar of soap to seal the undersides. This will prevent dirt from accumulating under your nails, and after gardening, simply use a nailbrush to wash off the soap, leaving your nails clean.
Keep Your String Trimmer in Top Shape: Prevent your trimmer line from jamming or breaking by treating it with a spray of vegetable oil before installing it.
Create a Measuring Tool: Turn a long-handled garden tool into a measuring stick by marking inch and foot increments on the handle with a permanent marker. This will come in handy when spacing plants.
Easy Access to Garden Twine: Store a ball of garden twine in a small clay pot. Pull the end of the twine through the drainage hole, set the pot upside down, and you'll always have twine at the ready.
Use Clay Pots as Frost Protectors: Small clay pots can act as cloches, protecting young plants from sudden overnight frosts.
Make a Hose Guide: Prevent your garden hose from damaging plants by creating a guide with a steel reinforcing bar and two clay pots. This simple setup will keep your hose in check.
Natural Plant Markers: Write the names of your plants on the flat faces of stones with a permanent marker, and place them at the base of your plants for a natural and durable label.
Control Aphids with Tape: Wrap a wide strip of tape around your hand, sticky side out, and pat the leaves of aphid-infested plants. Focus on the undersides of leaves where aphids like to hide.
Reuse Vegetable Water: Instead of pouring water from boiled or steamed vegetables down the drain, use it to water potted plants. The nutrients in the water will give your plants a healthy boost.
Acidify Soil with Coffee Grounds: Sprinkle leftover coffee grounds around acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries. A light sprinkling once a month will help maintain the soil’s acidity.
Combat Damping-Off Fungus: Use chamomile tea to prevent damping-off fungus in young seedlings. Add a small amount of tea to the soil around the base of seedlings weekly or use it as a foliar spray.
Create an Instant Garden Table: Flip a large clay pot over and place a saucer on top for an instant table. When you’re done, fill the saucer with water to create a birdbath.
Dry Herbs Quickly: To quickly dry herbs, spread them on a sheet of newspaper on the seat of your car. Close the doors and windows, and your herbs will dry perfectly in no time, leaving your car smelling great.
These tips not only simplify your gardening tasks but also enhance your overall gardening experience. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, incorporating these ideas into your routine will help you achieve a thriving and beautiful garden this spring.