Garden Tips

Water that your boil eggs in is filled with minerals and is a good drink for your plants. Put eggs shells in water and leave it set overnight. This is also good for your plants.

Old aquarium water or water in which fish have been frozen is top choice for fertilizers.

In winter, melt some snow to use for watering. There are wonderful minerals in the snow.

For good drainage, use any of the following in the bottom of the pot: broken clay pots, cracked walnuts, marbles, charcoal, or fruit pits.

Water a hard-to-reach plant with an athlete's water bottle (a plastic bottle with a bent straw).

Indoor plants should be frequently rotated so they can absorb sunlight evenly. Your plants will grow straight by keeping them rotated, as plants lean toward the light.

To gloss leaves, use a mixture of half water and half milk.

Plants should be repotted after they have finished blooming. When repotting a plant, always use a pot two inches larger.

Clay pots should be soaked in water a few minutes before using. This will prevent the clay from absorbing the moisture from the potting soil.

Indoor trellises can be made out of coat hangers. Bend to any shape you desire (heart, star, or other) and insert into pot.

Plastic sleds make nice garden carts. They pull through the grass easily and hold lots of tools. You also can carry plants or bulbs that need to be transplanted. The sled will easily rinse clean when finished.

A golf cart also makes a good tool caddie. You can put a shovel, rake, and pitchfork in the bag. Smaller tools and gloves can be stored in the pockets.

Haul leaves in an old plastic wading pool or bedspread.

Keep weeds out of your garden by putting untreated paper feed sacks or newspapers between rows. Weight down with hay, grass or manure. By next spring, the paper will be decomposed.

Herbs are nature's insecticides. Be sure to include a variety of them in your garden.

Make an effective and natural insecticide by adding onions and garlic to a jar of water. Let it stand for a week and then spray your plants.

Fertilize with ashes once in awhile. Ashes will help control pH levels in soil as they contain about 50 to 75 percent lime.

For the organic gardener compost piles are important.

Soap suds are a fantastic insecticide. Spray suds liberally on plants.

To discourage rabbits and other pests from feasting in your garden, scatter mothballs around it.