While we’re all still staying home for the next few weeks at least, don’t let your garden go neglected.
Harness the last bit of mild autumn weather before winter hits and make your life a little easier with these genius hacks:
1. Cinnamon powder keeps seedlings healthy
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Did you know that cinnamon has anti-fungal qualities? Sprinkle some over your younger plants to prevent disease.
2. Use an old ladder for potted plants
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If you have a ladder you don’t use, arrange your potted plants on the ledges. This uses space economically and looks pretty too!
3. Used ground coffee keeps pests away
If you drink filter coffee, reuse your coffee grinds to work into soil. It has been proven to keep pests like ants, snails, and slugs away.
3. Use vinegar to kill weeds
This common household product is cheap and commonly available. Not only is it a great disinfectant for indoor use, but kills weeds outdoors.
4. Use a pallet to store gardening tools
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Wooden pallets are easy to get a hold of as many warehouses discard them daily and will gladly give them away for free. Put it up against the wall, add hooks and hang your tools on it!
5. Use epsom salt when replanting
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When planting a new plant in your garden or a pot, place about one tablespoon of salt at the bottom of the hole or pot first. This prevents plants that are transplanted from shock, as well as helping maintain a healthy green colour and can even help the plant grow faster.
6. Create a micro-greenhouse
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If you are having trouble getting seedlings started, cut open the bottom of a two-litre cooldrink bottle and place it over the pot. This creates a greenhouse-effect and your seedlings should start to germinate. Once they are up and running, remove the bottle.
7. Citrus fruit seed starters
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Hollow out a citrus fruit like an orange or grape fruit, fill with soil and voila! You have a mini ‘pot’ to plant your seedling in. Once they are ready to plant out, simply plant them as is, with the citrus skin in the ground, as it will degrade and become fertilizer. You can use egg shells the same way.
Image: Instagram/Sharpenyourspades