You can tell that your hanging
plants need water when they're easy to lift!
Always clean off your tools before putting
them away, wash and then wipe with an oily rag preventing
rusting
Use sand paper to smooth off the handles
of your tools and then either use a wax polish on them or
again an oily rag no Splinters.
If you paint the handles of your garden
tools with a brightly coloured paint you will have no trouble
finding them in the garden fluorescent paint is very good.
Always use markers beside your plant with
the Common and Latin names, use old metal blinds, cut into
8 inch pieces and mark with an indelible marker, put the name
side down into the ground and this way it will neither fade
nor wash off during the winter.
Always check the name tags on purchased
plants, the correct name is there as well as the Latin one.
Make a diagram of your garden and mark where
you have planted what, for next year you will not remember
and often people weed out that special plant that they purchased
last year.
Take photographs of your garden throughout
the summer , purchase one of those throw away cameras and
keep it just for the garden this way you will have a pictorial
of your garden and know what to include and discard next year.
Keep a garden journal - this is so useful
it also makes great reading in the winter time when we are
all frustrated with all that snow.
If your hands get sore gardening, purchase
a piece of split foam plastic, the kind that is used to lag
pipes, slip a length over the handles on your tools, - and
be sure that you are wearing your gloves!
My mandate for years has been to wear a
hat in the garden, (and anywhere else I go in the summertime)
also sunscreen and bug repellent. Don't forget to put sunscreen
on the back of your legs and hands!
When purchasing tools, buy the very best,
you will forget the cost over the years, but you will still
have those tools. I am using tools that my father-in-law purchased
in 1940 I did not have the pleasure of meeting him, but
I love his tools.
Instead of buying those cheap garden hoses
I recommend that you purchase soaker hoses, they work better
and last so much longer putting the water just where it
is needed. I do not like those overhead sprinklers the foliage
gets wet but often the roots are still dry a number of plants
do not like wet foliage phlox for one gets mildew quickly
so it is better to keep the foliage as airy and dry as possible.
Read the packets that seeds come in, all
the growing information is right there no need to run to
your gardening books.
Buy yourself several good gardening books,
but check to see where they come from many people lose roses
because they are reading an English gardening book - there
it will tell you to leave the graft above the ground (that
is the knobbly thing). It is recommended that we plant that
portion at least 4 inches below the ground they do not have
40F below in England!! Nor do they in California.
Do not purchase roses in plastic bags from
supermarkets, chain stores and other places. They are grown
in Florida and California, not only are they past their best
when they arrive here, but they are bred in a different (warmer)
climate and unless really coaxed along will die. Purchase
them from a reputable garden centre and always in pots for
they have been grown on for at least two years and maybe longer.
Grow some flowers for the house. Take a
pail of water to the garden in either early morning or latish
evening, cut the flowers and place in the water at once. When
you get back inside, place the pail in a cool spot basement
is great- cut the flowers again preferably under water,
before you arrange them in a pretty vase they will last so
very much longer. Always use one of the packets of food, they
can be purchased at either a florist or craft store this
helps enormously, some people use Sprite it is the sugar
that helps but even more is the water it is sterile, after
all you usually drink it !!!
Slugs and snails will not cross a band of
sand placed around your Hostas Hosta leaves are wonderful
in flower arrangements. |
