Gardening Hacks That You Need to Know This Season
Whether you’re planting beautiful flower beds or raising your own vegetables, there are few things as relaxing or rewarding than gardening. But, how many times have you been planting seeds or organizing your garden tools and thought, there must be an easier way to do this!? Garden hacks improve your gardening experience and help you stay organized. The following are our favorite easy and affordable garden tips and tricks that can transform your garden with little effort and cost on your part.
Here are some Gardening hacks and tips:
Use a Wine Bottle to Water your Plants Slowly
It can be hard to keep plants watered if you go out of town for the weekend. Fill an empty wine bottle with water and bury the neck into the soil next to your plant. The water will trickle out slowly, providing much-needed moisture on warm days.
Stop Soil From Draining Out of Potted Plants
The only thing more frustrating than soil migrating out of a pots drainage holes is water running immediately out. Solve both problems by placing a couple of coffee filters over the holes before you add soil. Soil will stay put and will have more time to absorb the water.
Make a Self-Sharpening Tool Caddy
Keeping your tools clean and lubricated will prolong their life. Fill a decorative terra cotta or ceramic pot with a mixture of sand and mineral oil to store your spade, weed tool, pruners, and rake. The sand is abrasive and will keep them sharp, and the mineral oil will keep them well-lubricated. And, just like when you organize your home, you’ll always know where your gardening tools are.
DIY Seed Tape
A key factor in reducing work in the garden and in growing healthy plants is proper spacing. DIY seed tape is one of the most clever gardening hacks, because it helps you space seeds out, which is generally hard to do with very small seeds such as carrot seeds. Measure the length of your planting bed and tear off a length of toilet paper to fit. Fold it up and cut in half, creating two thinner strips. Make a paste of one part flour to three parts water. Use a paintbrush and dab some paste in evenly spaced spots, as far apart as your seed packet recommends. Place a seed on each spot of paste, then fold the paper in half lengthwise to cover the seeds. Plant the entire strip, covering it with a thin layer of soil.
Prevent Transplant Shock With Epsom Salt
When planting new plants or seedlings, dig a deeper hole than usual. Sprinkle a tablespoon of Epsom Salt on the bottom and cover with a layer of soil. Place your seedling or plant on top of that soil and proceed with planting.
DIY Soil pH Test
Are you curious whether you have acidic or alkaline soil? Fill two cups with about a half-cup of soil. Mix one tablespoon of vinegar with a cup of water and pour over the soil. If it bubbles, you have alkaline soil. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of water and pour it over the other soil-filled cup. If it fizzes, you have acidic soil.
Save money on your gardening items
Of course, the ultimate hack here is saving green! Don’t overspend on your essential gardening items. At one dollar zone!, we have everything you need this gardening season. If you’re looking for seeds, potting soil, planters, water cans, shovels, hats, gloves, fencing, garden nozzles, or shears, we have it all – and only for $1!
So, remember:
- Use a wine bottle to water plants if you will be on vacation
- Keep soil in pots with coffee filters
- Make a self-sharpening tool caddy
- DIY seed tape
- Prevent transplant shock with Epsom Salt
- DIY soil pH test
- Shop at one dollar zone! and save major green
There’s no better time to get out in the garden, and One Dollar Zone is here to help with helpful and affordable garden items! From seeds to potting soil, decorative planters to garden tools, we have everything you need to turn your yard into the beautiful haven you’ve been dreaming of. Use our handy location guide to find a store near you today.