subject: Use These Tips For Successful Gardening! [print this page] Do you hate how fresh mint leaves grow and take over your lovely garden but still like them? Rein their growth; you can do this simply by planting mint inside a larger garden container or pot. If you would like the mint leaves to still be in the ground, simply plant the container, and the leaves will stay within the boundaries of the pot.
If you see mildew that is powdery, stay away from expensive chemicals to treat it. Mix a bit of liquid soap and some baking soda into water. Spray this mixture on your plants weekly until the mildew is gone. Do not worry about your plants; the baking soda cannot harm them.
You can eliminate snails from your garden by spraying them with ammonia and water. The mixture won't hurt plants, and will convert to nitrogen, which is beneficial to gardens. This method is harmless for your plants by lethal for snails. Spray this mixture on a daily basis to get the best results.
Create new plants with root cuttings. Remember that the dormant cold season is the best time to snip those roots. Use a sharp gardening knife to cut the longest and thickest roots off of the plant. Then, slice the roots up into two inch long parts. Take a seed tray and put a grit and moist peat mixture inside of it, and then place your root pieces on top of it. Cover thinly with grit and peat. Keep this in a cool setting, and in about one month, you will start to see new seedlings. Place them in individual pots where they can sit until it is time to plant them outdoors.
When gardening, remember to take care of your knees! Bending over for extended periods can be harmful to your joints and muscles. If you have trouble with this, kneel instead of bending while gardening. Place a cushioning kneeling pad on the ground or wear knee pads to make kneeling more comfortable.
Sod should be laid properly. Before the sod can be laid, you should prepare the soil. Do some weeding if necessary, then break the soil until it is no longer packed. Flatten your soil and make it slightly compact. Moisten the soil thoroughly. You should lay your sod staggered, and have the joints offset. Tamp down the sod so it has a flat and even surface, then using some extra soil, fill the gaps between. You will have to water the sod every day for 2 weeks, and then it should be firmly rooted to the ground, and able to be walked on.
Consider adding coffee grounds to your soil if it contains high levels of alkaline. Coffee grounds add acidity to the soil and are very cheap. You will discover that your vegetables are more flavorful than ever before.
Make sure you protect any tender deciduous shrubs. Cold weather is very hard on these tender shrubs, and potted shrubs should be shielded and protected. Tie together the tops, and then use a sheet or blanket to cover the wigwam loosely. Using fabric, rather than plastic, allows air circulation and prevents rotting from moisture build up.
Boiling away unwanted weeds is an odd, but productive method used in many gardens. Boiling water is a safe herbicide which won't damage your garden or your body. One simple layer across the weeds with a pot of boiling water will take care of the problem, but you have to remember the same applies to your plants, as well. The weeds' roots will be damaged by the boiling water; normally, this prevents them from continuing to grow.
