Home remedies for the garden?

[PlantSwap]

Another article I found that I thought was interesting. Have you tried any of these ideas before?

Cost Effective Gardening

Do you have troublesome weeds in the garden? Is the earth crying out for feeding? Slugs a problem? Your neighbor cats use your garden as a toilet? Do you want to solve these problems but don’t want to use chemicals or part with too much cash? You should have a look in and around your home; you will find everything you need to help with the above.

Problem weeds? Next time you boil some eggs don’t drain the water down the sink. The water left over from the boiled eggs is one of the best weed killers. Just pour over the weed while the water is still hot and after a week the weed will have died.

Once you’ve shelled the eggs, don’t bin the egg shell. Place it around the bottom of plants that the slugs enjoy eating. Slugs don’t like the sharp edges of the shells and will give your plant a wide berth. Don’t eat eggs? Don’t worry, lay out some plastic trays (the ones you use at the bottom of the plant pots), sink in areas of the garden level with the soil and pour in some beer. The slugs will perish but at least they’ll go happy!

Wondering what else you could do with those egg shells? Sweet peas love them. When you’ve made the hole to plant the sweet peas put in some egg shell before placing the plant. The sweet peas thrive on the nutrients the shells hold and you have will have stronger plants and more flowers.

Is your garden starving? When out for a walk gather up some nettles and dock leaves and put them in a hessian or muslin bag. Place the bag in a bucket of water. When the water turns green dilute the solution in a watering can (about 1 cupful per can). The solution will feed everything in the garden, even the lawn!

Another idea if cats are messing your garden, soak used teabags and some cloves of garlic in water for about a week. Fill your watering can and soak around the edges of the garden. Your garden may not smell of roses for a day or two but it should solve the problem of the cats.

If you have enjoyed this article please visit my blog at http://donna-howtogardenblog.blogspot.com or my review website at http://www.gardenreviewer.com - Thank you and happy gardening

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_Easton

[missg]

I use the egg shells for the slugs, and it do work.
I will also be trying the tea mixture for the cats soon.
Missg

[Kathy547]

~~~~~~~~from "Trowel & Error" by Sharon Lovejoy~~~~~~~~~~~~

Coat weedeater line with mineral oil or spray with Pam to keep from breaking or sticking.

Paint inch & foot marks on the wooden handles of hoes, shovels, & rakes. Use whenever measuring in the garden (ex. when spacing seeds or transplants).

Lay an old ladder flat on the ground & fill the spaces between the steps w/ soil to create raised beds. Slip a scrap of foam rubber pipe insulation over tool handles for a better grip.

Cut worn out black or dark green hoses into 3 foot sections & paint the hose w/ patterns to resemble snakeskins. Drape over tree branches, etc.

Glue a small mirror onto a yardstick to check the undersides of leaves for pests. Ideal for a gardener who has trouble bending over.

Rub the fresh leaves of these plants onto your skin & hair to ward off pesky insects: sweet basil, pennyroyal, lemon balm, lemon thyme, orange bergamot, mint, peppermint, spearmint, catmint, & Japanese mint.

To deter rabbits - Encirle plants w/ sweet gum balls, pressing firmly in the soil. Sourround plants with a thick planting of garlic & wormwood. Sprinkle baby powder or garlic powder on plants.

If you’re bitten or stung, press a crushed garlic clove or slice of onion directly onto the insect bite. Leave on at least 20 minutes. Both have anti-inflammatory, counter irritant, and anti-bacterial properties.{{{{ON A PERSONAL NOTE, MY HUSBAND IS A SMOKER & HE TAUGHT ME TO TAKE A LITTLE TOBACCO, MOISTEN WITH SALIVA, & APPLY TO A STING.}}}}

[txbeyer]

Great suggestions Kathy. We need to share such ideas more. Anyone else have some gardening tips?

[hypermiler]

Thanks for the tips! Those are fascinating ideas.

[Cycas]

Hi Plantswap and Kathy547 those are great tips.

I will have to keep them in mind. THe cat deterrent will be the first tip to be put in practice here.

I do not mind cats visiting, but I just planted new seedlings and would want to protect them.